April favorites ~ 2015

May is tomorrow and I am still slightly in shock about it. For the past fee years time has been going by extremely fast. April was a super fun month for me and I couldn't be happier with it. here are my monthly favorites. I don't have a ton but I've got a few. I didn't try too many new things towards the beginning of the month. As you can see, I have quite a few more non-beauty favorites this month which I haven't had in a while! Enjoy :)

I got some new colored pens from the Dollar Tree and they were perfect for decorating my planner! Orange and purple were my faves!

I was obsessed with my Alex & Ani bracelets. I just got them this month and I have worn them so much! They match virtually everything and are so simple.

I went back to my favorite winged liner this month for fun. Maybelline's Master Precise does it every time for me!

This simple gold ring from Topshop had to make it into my favorites! It's so simple and delicate!

I lost my creaseless hair ties for a while and I recently found them again! I feel like they add a bit more than a regular hair tie.

Of course I ahd to throw some lip balms in here since I can't live without 'em!

 I've been following the Blogilates calendars since February and I really enjoy them!

I also really enjoyed my Spotify playlist this month. Here are my favorite songs of the month!

Hazey ~ Glass Animals
Retro ~ Childish Gambino
Flashed Junk Mind ~ Milky Chance
Say My Name ~ ODESZA Zyra
Good Luck ~ Lenachka
Feathery ~ Milky Chance
I Want To Love You ~ Lenachka
Blue Jeans RAC Remix ~ Lana Del Rey
Sadnecessary ~ Milky Chance
Pressure ~ Milk & Bone
One Time ~ Marian Hill

I was a little obsessed with music this month since I was dreaming of Coachella!

I hope you enjoyed this April favorites and I hope you all had an amazing month!

Empties ~ April 2015

I definitely didn't finish too many products for the month of April but I wanted to share anyways! I 'm always shocked as the months pass since I feel like time is going so fast!

First of all, I finished the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner. I feel like it was pretty average. I really didn't like the scent, it was a bit too strong and strange and I would not repurchase.

I always repurchase the Live Clean clarifying shampoo. it works really well and I like to sue it once a week tor refresh my hair.

I also finished the Philosophy Sugar Plum Fairy body wash. At first I wasn't sure about it but them I began to love it. It felt really nice and it was a super unique scent.

Lastly, I used up two of my favorite lip balms by Nivea!

It was a bit of a short post but that's all for today! I hope you enjoyed!

Collective April Haul + 2 Year Blog Birthday

I figured I'd do the exact same (or very similar) post as I did exactly one year ago on my 1 year blog anniversary. 

(Last year's post)  

(1st blog post) 

I started my blog 2 years ago today and I've loved every moment of it! I did a lot of shopping again this April so I thought I'd show a haul again this year. I also decided to share what I got for my birthday in this post and include it in one big haul! I'm really not trying to brag, I just wanted to show you everything I've gotten this month. I have a lowkey shopping obsession and I wanted to treat myself this month. I am also super thankful for all of the gifts I received for my birthday as well as all of my family and friends!
Enjoy, xx

SHOPPING

First off, here's all of the clothing pieces I accumulated throughout the month. They are all from Forever 21 unless otherwise stated. The first romper is from Winners, by the brand One Clothing. I thought it was a bit more formal and completely my style. I love this grey tee, it's so casual and effortless. I was in need of a plain black tee so I picked this one up from H&M. This dress is so bright and perfect for summer. I also really love the multicolored/patterned top, it's very Coachella-ish. I picked up these cute & cheap pajama shorts, as well as some blue flowy shorts for the summertime! And I finally caved and bought myself black Lululemon leggings. I have definitely gotten tons of use already.

 These brown boots from Forever 21 are gorgeous! I had to get them. I think they'd look really cute with a sundress and some accessories. I treated my Mum and I to some Alex and Ani bracelets earlier int he month. I chose the Om symbol and the Path of Life. They go with anything and I really love them!

 Here's all of my beauty purchases of the month. Hopefully you can see them all since it would be a really long post if I mentioned each eon separately. if you have any questions, please leave a comment!

I also bought some colored pens and washi tape to fuel my planner decorating obsession!

BIRTHDAY

 Okay, so here's the Birthday stuff! I was overwhelmed with the birthday wishes and gifts I received this year and  can honestly say it has been my best birthday yet!
I can't wait to use the OPI polish in Mod About You as well as the Soap & Glory Body Buttercream which smells so divine!

 I got so much food which is perfect since it's probably my favorite thing ever!. I can finally try Quest bars and Matcha now!

I had really wanted Cassey Ho's new book since I follow her calendars, I can't wait to start reading it! I also am so happy to finally have an iPad case, I'm in love with it!

I also received a few gift cards which I am excited to put to good use!

 I was extremely surprised when I opened this one! I have never received something so meaningful and  beautiful before! I am so thankful for it. It was super fun to photograph!

It's a perfectly simple, silver ring. I've always wanted a simple ring that I can wear anywhere. I know this will last me a lifetime!

I hope you enjoyed this haul of the month of April! I am really not trying to show off, I simply enjoy sharing the things I've loved throughout the month and looking back on my hauls in the future.
Bye, now! :)

My Week in Pictures ~ Weekly Recap April 19-25 2015

I love sharing my week in photos! It's a much more laid back and personal post. This week was a really enjoyable week for me. I didn't get any photos on Monday, but the rest of the week makes up for it! I hope you enjoy :)

SUNDAY ~ APRIL 19:

 So as I usually do on Sundays if I have time, I made some healthy pancakes. This week I made a blueberry recipe and they were delicious.

 I also had an urge to paint, so this it what happened with that! I'm really happy with how it turned out and will have a tutorial up soon!

TUESDAY ~ APRIL 21:

Tuesday, I was only able to get 1 photo as I was quite busy. I got the May issue of Seventeen magazine. It came with a Biore sample which is always fun!

WEDNESDAY ~ APRIL 22:

 I was really happy with my outfit on Wednesday. I had been wanting to wear these new boots and this was the perfect opportunity. I actually ended up throwing on a blush cardigan alter i  the day. My dress is from Ross, jacket from H&M, and boots from Forever 21. I also curled my hair that day. It's getting so long and I plan to cut it soon, so I'm making the most of it.

 Wednesday's dinner was great! I had pork tenderloin, with roasted veggies and pasta. Super delicious!

THURSDAY ~ APRIL 23:

Toast with jam is one of my favorite breakfasts! It's super simple but I really enjoy it.

I tried out a healthy cookie recipe Wednesday evening. I made three flavors: Strawberry, chocolate chip and blueberry (not pictured). I found the recipe here!

FRIDAY ~ APRIL 24:

Here's Friday's makeup! I've been loving winged liner recently. I'm still on the edge with this mascara, not too sure what my thoughts are.

I didn't get the best photo, but I really liked Friday's outfit! I wore a grey tee tied at the front, along
with a blush cardigan and some arm candy. 

SATURDAY ~ APRIL 25: 

Saturday was my birthday and my family overdid it with the gorgeous wrapping & presentation! Super thankful!

 I went out to  cafe for lunch and I had a great chai milkshake and ham & cheese naan panini!

I also did some shopping, so there's a sneak peek from my future haul!

Found some beautiful flowers in my absolute favorite color of the moment!

My mom surprised me with this gorgeous cake! I have no idea how she does it, I could never create something like this!
I'll be posting my birthday + April haul on Monday so check that out if you were wondering :)

That's about all of the highlights of my week! I had an amazing week and Birthday.= and I hope you all did too!

DIY Honey & Lemon Acne Spot Mask

Hello! I breakout a few times a month and never really bother to do anything about it. I've recently been trying this DIY honey and lemon spot mask and it's not too bad. it doesn't work wonders or anything but it definitely shrinks my pimples a bit! I thought I'd share the recipe even though it's almost too simple to bother sharing!

All you need is honey and lemon juice! I sued pre-squeezed juice but you can definitely squeeze your own. I usually use about equal parts of each, but you can just it to your preference. Once you've mixed it up, apply it to all of you acne. You can apply it all over if you'd like too, but I've never done that!

That's about it! Hoped this helped a bit, have a great Saturday!

Where I Find Inspiration

I'm often stuck looking for inspiration and not being able to find any. We all got through dull periods where we feels very uninspired. I thought I'd share my favorite places to find inspiration in case you are having trouble finding some.

Pinterest
 This is my number 1 inspiration hotspot! I can usually find inspiration for anything I'm looking for. Check out my Pinterest here if you'd like!

Nature
 Going for a walk through your neighborhood can definitely spark your imagination!

Store displays
 I find a lot of inspiration from going shopping! Do I really need another excuse? Store displays and products can give off tons of that inspo you're looking for!

Instagram
 I love looking through Instagram. It not only inspires my own Instagram posts, but it inspired me in other aspects.

Friends & family
 Try talking to other for inspiration. Having another opinion and view can really help.

Quotes
 This one's a bit obvious, but quotes are great!

Other blogs
 This is one of the best way to find blog post inspiration. Just make sure to not completely copy.

Magazines 
Lastly, magazine are very helpful too. I mainly take ideas for blog post ideas from magazine headlines.


I hope this helps & stay inspired! :)

Surviving Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning season is upon us and it can be super difficult to get motivated. I thought I'd share some tips on how make it a little more survivable. These definitely help me since I don't even really mind cleaning my room anymore. Hope it helps! :)

Throw away 1 thing a day

Start off small by only throwing out 1 thing per day. Choose an area of your room and pick something to get rid of (or donate of course!).

Devote 1 day to cleaning

I like to do this once in a while, usually on Sundays. I like to dedicate 1 whole day to cleaning. it makes me feel super productive. 

Play some music

I'm sure you all know this, but playing your favorite music helps the cleaning process a ton!

Fuel up

Make some fun snacks and don't forget to eat throughout the day! Sometimes when I clean for long periods of time, I kind of forget to eat which can really make you less energized.

Treat yourself

After you're done (or during) cleaning, have a treat or pamper yourself a bit. Do whatever makes you feel good!

Take breaks

This is majorly important! You need to take breaks, they are the perfect opportunity to treat yourself!

Make it fun

 If you love organizing, organize all of your stuff. Coordinate cleaning with something you enjoy.

Find a friend

 Ask a friend to hangout with you while you clean, it will make it a lot more fun and time won't pass as slowly.

Don't get distracted

 I often get distracted by little memories and what not. Try to put them aside to look at another time so that you don't end up getting distracted from cleaning.

Get comfy

Put your hair up and throw on some super comfy clothes to make it a little more enjoyable.

Make it therapeutic

It can be really therapeutic for me to take time to myself and clean. Taking time to yourself in general is quite therapeutic.

Keep your stuff close and your garbage closer

Okay, well that was cheesy... Anyways, keep a garbage can super close so you don't have to keep getting up and going to the trash. 

I hope this helps your spring cleaning go a little smoother!

Thymes Essentials Madarin Leaf Body Wash ~ Review

I picked up this body wash a while back at Target on clearance, before it closed down. I just recently began using it and now I can finally share my review. I can't really remember how much it was but from what I remember, I believe it was originally around $12 and it was marked down for around $5. Not completely sure on that one.

The reason I bought it is because it smelled exactly like mandarin oranges. it didn't smell like a fake candy-like orange scent, it smelled identical to a fresh mandarin orange! The scent alone completely sold me.

The body wash itself isn't my favorite ever but I really don't mind it. my favorite body wash is the tone body wash but this one was pretty good. It was just slightly too thin and didn't lather quite as much as I would have liked. The scent doesn't go away when I use it. I can still smell it while in the shower. It's a very gentle wash and doesn't irritate my skin (I have very sensitive skin).

RATINGS

Scent: 10/10

Lather: 8/10

Price: 8/10
Would I repurchase?: If Target hadn't closed down :(
Would I recommend?: Yes if you can find it! At least smell it if you see it!
Overall: 9/10

Overall I really liked this body wash and it's the perfect scent for the Spring time!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask ~ Review

Hello there! So I thought I'd share another review from the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Head-To-Toe Hydration set. I already reviewed the Face moisturizer here so feel free to check that one out. Today I'm reviewing the face mask from the set.

The set was only $53 however the mask regularly retails for $28. You can get it at Sephora here!

The mask is slightly chunky with a bits of oatmeal but it goes on fairly invisible. After ten minutes, I rinse it off and my face feels quit smooth. It wasn't too much different than other face mask but my skin did feel pretty soft. I did really enjoy this mask since it worked well with my sensitive skin. it was very gentle and had little scent to irritate my skin.

I don't have much else to say, other than that.

RATINGS

 Skin benefits: 8/10

Moisture/repair: 8/10

How it feels: 9/10

Price: 6/10
Would I repurchase?: Possibly
Would I recommend?: Yes!

Overall: 8/10

I hope you enjoyed this review, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

25 (random) facts about me!

I thought I'd give you all a little peek into my personal life by sharing 25 random facts about myself! I'm really not the most exciting person but I figured I'd share anyways!

1. I really enjoy traveling, even packing!

2. I plan everything and usually have a million lists at once.

3. I could (& I do) spend hours in Forever 21

4. I love cooking & baking.

5. I'm also really into fitness & healthy eating.

6. I'd rather stay home & relax than go out and party.

7. Although I'd take any opportunity to go shopping!

8. I'm a bit over 5'9, sadly, probably too tall for heels.

9. I used to cut my hair fairly short, but for the past 3 or 4 years it's been super long

10. I plan to cut it to a shoulder length quite soon!

11. I'm a city person!

12. I'd love to live in LA.

13. I don't have, nor have I ever, really had any pets.

14. I definitely enjoy a good music playlist and couldn't live without it.

15. I love interior design & organization.

16. Tiffany blue and lilac are my favorite colors!

17. I'm a Taurus and I love horoscopes!

18. I apologize way too often.

19. I'm extremely pale, and I burn rather than tan.

20. I'm not much of a sports person, I'd love to be, but I'm not much good at any sports.

21. I'm terrified of spiders, I mean, terrified.

22. I'd choose a cheeseburger out of any fast food (in n out is my fave but runner up is McDonald's!).

23. Water is usually my beverage of choice!

24. I have a (not so) low key obsession with chocolate!

25. But if I'm given the choice between something chocolate flavored or vanilla flavored, I'll choose vanilla!

I hope you maybe got to know a little more about me!

Mani Monday: Spring manicure

I recently painted my nails and it soon became my favorite Spring mani! I received many compliments while wearing it and I had to share it with you! It's perfect for Spring with the lilac and the silver glitter. it looked like a gel polish manicure and I'm obsessed with it!

 I used Essie's under wear? on all nails minus my ring fingers. For the ring fingers, I first used Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Silver Sweep, topped with Essie's set in stones. I think this combination went together flawlessly.

 I was surprised at how long this lasted. My manicures usually last around 1-2 days without chips. This one lasted around 4-5!

Lilac is my new favorite color and I love incorporating it into everything!