Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Blog Bash Recap

Rebecca of A Daily Something hosted the fabulous #blogbashNYC a couple weeks ago with special guest Victoria of A Subtle Revelry. It was not only a ton of fun but a serious learning experience. I can be somewhat of a wallflower so it was a challenge to break out and mingle but I'm so glad I did! I learned lots of great networking techniques and brand building. Not to mention the killer drinks and snacks provided by The Stand, HoneyBee Brownies (their red velvet brownies were to die for) and Kumquat Cupcakery!

As if all that wasn't enough, we celebrated Rebecca's birthday, won some raffles, and walked away with awesome swag. I had a wonderful time and met the most genuine people.

Be sure to check out Audrey Allure and Trend HUNGRY for some unique finds and looks that won't break the bank.

Thank you again, Rebecca for making all of this possible!

Special thanks to
     
Follow me on Twitter Instagram

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Mini Haul & Drug Store Makeup


It's amazing what a little shopping can do for your mind. Bouncing around from store to store gives me a rush and who doesn't love getting home to unwrap all the shopping bags and play with new toys? Especially at these prices, a little cash goes a long way. 

1. I've been eying the scarves at Free People for a while now. I was originally going to snag their 'Tattered Flag Scarf' (which I'm still debating) but when I saw this one was on sale, had the flag pattern, and puppies and kittens - I was sold! I didn't think they'd have it in stores since it's on clearance but I took a shot in the dark and I found it! They also had the plain flag scarf which is much softer but I kept to my list. (Yes, I had a list.)

2. This was an impulse purchase at Target since it was only $8 and I've had an ongoing love affair with their t-shirts for a while now.

3. I've been in dire need of a shadow to fill in my brows. All of the brown ones in my current makeup collection are too dark or red or everything in between! I started out cheap because I expected it to be another failure but low and behold, it's a perfect match, phew!

4. I've been on a long hunt for plain leggings. They're a staple in everyone's wardrobe and they're almost disposable so low cost is what I aim for. The first time I purchased a pair, it was in grey and I've since lost them. I have no idea where they ran off to but they are gone forever. This was the perfect opportunity to replace them and get another pair in black. Grey. Black. I'm set.

5. Okay, I'm going to admit it: I rarely wear concealer. And not because I don't need it but because I'm just that lazy. I apply more foundation on the areas that should be covered in concealer and it's just not working anymore. Again, I grabbed a cheap try and it was an instant winner.

6. As mentioned in my previous post, these bras are my all-time fave! Neon is so hot right now and so I grabbed one of these bad boys on sale in a bright, corally orange (yes, I'm making 'corally' a word).

7. I've been bouncing around between so many different bronzers this summer ranging from Clinique to Bare Escentuals to Victoria's Secret, blah blah blah. None of them really won me over so I decided to try some drug store brands. I'd heard some great reviews about this NYC bronzer from other bloggers and at $3, I took a shot. Another sweet gamble paying off.

Follow me on Twitter Instagram
View this blog post on Lucky Magazine Community!

Friday, August 03, 2012

Working out on a Budget




Working out can be dreadful but if you have the right things to motivate you, it can be easy to look forward to! I by no means get "dolled up" for the gym but I do like buying fun work out clothes. Fancy brands can be expensive and while a gym membership alone can break the bank, here are some of my favorite cheap finds. 

1. Normally, I'm a sucker for compartments and fancy bags but this tote is cute, cheap, and does the trick. When it comes to running to the gym, I'm not organized. I like to just throw all my crap in there since they're all large items and run out the door. This bag is not only bright and fun but easily washable should you spill anything in it or if it starts to smell like a gym bag. $10.80 @ Forever 21

2. I LOVE these sports bras! I need good support when working out and while these bad boys don't do the trick on their own (I need to rock an under wire bra underneath) the add the best supplemental support not to mention the colors! I also like that they come up a little bit higher than your average sports bra so they keep the ladies together plus it's a happy accident that the neon pokes out adding a pop of color. $16.99 @ Target

3. There's no such thing as owning too many tank tops especially at this price. They're great for layering on just on their own, too. $4.80 @ Forever 21

4. These are my favorite workout pants to date. They are not only super comfortable and flattering but they have a cool hidden zipper pocket in the pack. It doesn't hold much but you can definitely shove an ipod in there! $22.94 @ Old Navy

5. I love yoga. And it's important to have a good mat. Gaiam is the yoga mat and they offer the most relaxing prints. $21.98 @ gaiam.com Get a FREE yoga workout video when you buy any Gaiam mat!

6. Spending more than 10 bucks on a water bottle might not be necessary but how could you resist such fun colors! Sure beats a boring Poland Spring bottle any day! (No offense, PS - you are my favorite water) $12.50 @ Victoria's Secret

7. I started using this stuff a few years ago and it really makes a difference. It tastes great and gives you that extra push you need when working out. Please follow directions carefully. $35.99 @ The Vitamin Shoppe

8. This bottle is just perfect for drinking your Super Pump before any workout. It blends your drink thoroughly and comes in so many colors! $8.95 for 20 oz. bottle @ blenderbottle.com

9. I've had these sneakers for five years, I'd say. I recently bought a new pair of Nike Frees to replace them and I was super disappointed and returned them. Despite running on fumes, these sneakers are still very comfy and provide all the support I need. I don't see myself replacing them anytime soon.

What are some of your favorite workout clothes? If you need to spruce up your collection, VS Pink is hosting their private shopping event this weekend! Sign up here to get your invitation now!

Follow me on Twitter Instagram

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Fashionably Skinned



It's no secret that I love tattoos. It's a beautiful way to not only express yourself but have constant reminders of things or people that truly matter. For me, it's more of the latter. But these works of art are not to be taken lightly. I mean, they're permanent. I'm not going to point the finger and judge but in my own opinion, tattoos should mean something, ideally. I believe that this is a good way to avoid getting sick of them. Think about it - if you get something because it's "pretty," inevitably, you will tire of it. That would be like wearing the same shirt for the rests of your life. Personally, tattoos aren't just decoration. It doesn't hurt if it's beautiful (no pun intended) but it should be everlasting and I'm referring to its meaning not its shelf life. I don't know how many tattoos I have but I can tell you only one was "because it was pretty." And I'm a little embarrassed at that. Luckily for me, it's in a place that I can't really see; ergo I can't tire from it. Anyway, I'm not going to sit here and explain why I got every dot of ink on my body but do yourself a favor: sleep on the idea, make sure you NEED to have it permanently sewn onto your body, and pick something that will be as important to you 70 years from now as it is today. 


Follow me on TwitterInstagram
View this blog post on Lucky Magazine Community

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Homemade PB & Banana Fro-Yo

A few of you asked me for this recipe when I posted a picture on Instagram so I'm going to deliver. Now, since this was my first time making it and I was experimenting based off of some other recipes, my amounts are less than accurate. It's pretty basic and I don't think it will affect the final outcome.

Ingredients:
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 1/2 cups vanilla greek yogurt (I swear by Chobani)
  • 1 tspn vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsps natural PB (natural is not only healthier but also mixes better because of its thinner consistency compared to regular creamy peanut butter) 
  • whipped cream and/or any other toppings

Mash bananas in a medium, freezer safe bowl then blend with yogurt, vanilla, and PB. Cover with plastic wrap and place in freezer. 

How long you ask? That depends on how you like your froyo. I kept checking on it, mixing it often. The center will freeze last and the perimeter of the mix will freeze quicker so I mixed to try to keep an even pace on the process. Once the batch is looks like it's good to go you can move it to a food processor to give it that creamy consistency that fro-yo or ice cream has. It will transform it from an "icy" state to a more creamy and smooth texture.

Once it's ready, transfer to a serving bowl and top with anything you like. I just happened to have chocolate chips and whipped cream.

You can also substitute this recipe for anything flavors you'd like. If you prefer to add almonds, pretzels, etc (something not soft such as my ingredients) wait until you pull it out of the freezer, blend as directed then fold in the solid ingredients and serve!

From my experience, try not to make too much as it doesn't last long in the freezer. After a few days, it was frozen solid which made it impossible to remove from the bowl to serve.

I hope you enjoy this and be sure to let me know what other variations you tried. I'm always up for new ideas!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Small Talk With Natalie & Erika of Fashionably Broke

The girls of Fashionably Broke are a dynamic duo - to say the least. Natalie and Erika have their own unique, incredible style and the best part is - their wardrobe is thrifted. I really admire those who can find such amazing pieces from the past and make them work in the modern world today. They're some of the sweetest girls around and aren't afraid to take risks. They have big dreams for their brand and I have no doubt they'll come true.

"we're sisters and we're best friends.
and I'm pretty sure one of us couldn't exist without the other."

I'm one of 3 girls so I know all about sibling rivalries, stealing clothes, and makeup. What are the ups and downs of collaborating with each other? Any discrepancies on how things should be done?

We definitely are familiar with sibling rivalries, however they used to be much worse when we were younger. These days, I seem to naturally take charge, as the older sister, and then Erika usually supports my decisions and gives the final OK on things, and that is the upside. I hardly ever post anything with out her consent. She has a great eye and I value her opinion so much so I always run everything I do, say, or wear by her. We just have very similar styles, so we hardly disagree, and that's really what makes us a great blogging duo! The only downside, is that she is still away at college, and although I try to include her as much as possible, sometimes I have to make decisions alone :( She always supports me, but I can't wait until she can be more hands-on! Fashionably Broke needs her!!


I love your style, it's so bold and bright. What's the most daring thing you've worn to date?

{N} I wore a floor length, tie-dye, blue and green, vintage 70's caftan, and my boyfriend and his friends were so confused by it, lol. I thought it was fab!
{E} I wore my dad's undershirt out, as part of my outfit. I laughed on the inside, but no one really noticed.

What's the most unusual, unconventional thing that's inspired an outfit?

Probably our grandma. Most people don't really TRY to imitate their grandmother's style, it is usually not so up-to-date. But that is not the case with ours. We literally fight over her hand-me-downs. She has been the biggest fashion inspiration in our lives. She worked in the Fashion Industry for many many years, so she still dresses better than us, and is a constant inspiration to our outfits! She just has a classic style that is always so well put together, I think we are always thinking of her when we get dressed. I even wore one of her blazers on a night out in Las Vegas, that's how stylish she is!

It's no secret you guys love accessories. What can't you live with out?

{N} I CAN'T live without my entire Stella & Dot collection, but my favorite piece would have to be my dainty, stackable, mixed metal rings. They work with every outfit, and are my go-to. I like to wear just one on each finger.
{E} I can't live without my new rose gold Michael Kors watch, simply because it is beautiful.

What other aspirations do you have for Fashionably Broke?

We would love to use it as a platform for freelance, personal shopping. We have people asking us "Where do you shop?" and "Can you take me shopping, because I never know what to buy?" more than anything else, so we want to fulfill that need for our readers.

What sets you apart from other bloggers?

We aren't sporting Prada shoes or linking our posts to Celine handbags. We know that that's not reality for the most of us. We strive to inspire people to wear what they love. Fashion isn't about how much things cost and style isn't about brand names. A good amount of the stuff we do wear are hand-me-downs from our grandmother or from like a Goodwill store in Blacksburg, VA, so really the possibilities are endless and that's what we want to preach to the every day girl.


What items are in your purse that you can't leave the house without?

{N} My Nikon D3000, because I always get inspired in the most random places, at the most random times. And a few lipsticks (yes, lipstick, NOT gloss), a couple pinks, and my staple, a good nude. A lip color is my savior to any last minute outing. And a pair of flats, I wear heels too often and I don't last very long in them.
{E} My J.Crew small wallet pouch, to hold just a few necessities, chap stick, my cat-eye sunglasses are a new fave, my iPod, and a bag of spicy almonds, yummmm!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Costa Rica


Last week, the boyfriend and I went on a much needed vacay to Costa Rica. It was an amazing adventure filled with sunbathing, ziplining, white water rafting, horse back riding, and so much more. We really made the most of our time there and can't wait to plan another trip.

Friday, March 09, 2012

BirchBox

Hello!! Happy Friday! I realize that I've been falling behind with these posts but in my defense, BirchBox hasn't sent me anything that I've been super excited about blogging about. Anyway, the boxes have been getting brighter and that's enough to make this girl smile. I just love the sight of hot pink!
 
Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint This. I like. It comes in a tiny-ass tube so I'm going to save it for the beach when I don't wear make-up but want a little glow to my face. Maybe, eventually, I'll buy the full size.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant This is a strange product: you have to mix it with water. I'm lazy. So I haven't used it yet. I like to smell everything since I'm sensitive to perfumes and it's so fine that I ended up snorting it. So don't sniff it. I don't remember how it smells so it can't be that bad.

colorescience pro Mineral Bronzer Face Color This sample doesn't look like this but it's the round white sponge in the photo at the top. It looks like a single use so I didn't want to waste it just trying it out.

Eye Rock Designer Liner I don't plan on using these. Ever. I use liquid liner and rock the winged look more often than not so I don't need help with it. Plus, these look way over the top - Amy Whinehouse style (no disrespect).
If you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox, click here!

Follow me on TwitterInstagram

All photos via birchbox.com

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

January Birchbox

I have to say, I was sort of bummed with January's shipment. So much so, that I actually logged in and updated my profile in hopes to improve the next one. I'm optimistic - I love Birchbox!


Archipelago Pomegranate Body Soap
Smells lovely but too fragrant for shower use. Instead, I dropped this bar in my dresser drawer and it soaks up its scent. I'm always determined to find some way to use everything!



Juicy Couture I don't think it was until Birchbox that I realized how sensitive I am to scents. I just prefer things to be softer and more subtle. So, needless to say, I give this perfume a thumbs down.

Origins Checks & Balances Frothy Face Wash I have to say that I was really excited about finding this in my BB because I really like experimenting with face regimes but I just haven't gotten around to using it. I've finally found a routine that works for me and I'm afraid to shake things up. It's on my "to try" list though.


Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner I like Stila but I'm so obsessed with Victoria's Secret Eyeliner that I couldn't make the transition. I tested it out and it worked wonderfully. The color - Lionfish was perfect for me but again, I'm just so stuck on my routine!

LaraBar Last but... well... :sigh: yeah - least. I don't have much to say about this other than the fact that it was truly disgusting. The end.







I have to admit, I took a sneak peak at Liz Marie Blog's February Birchbox and I can't wait! I promise I won't wait until March to post it. :) Also, if you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox, click here!

All photos via birchbox.com

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Small Talk with Free People's Julia Keim

Her style epitomizes the Free People look. Her DIYs inspire creativity. Her photos speak a thousand words. Julia Keim of the Free People blog does it all. In addition to writing, she takes amazing pictures, runs the FP events and is pretty darn crafty. I had the pleasure of meeting Julia at the FP Upper East DIY ornament making event and was pretty impressed. Despite working "behind the scenes," her style is right on with the FP look. It was so interesting to hear her story about how she got to where she is now. I made sure to take notes because I'd love to follow in her footsteps. 

"I see every day as a new chance to be inspired – by the weather, a song I hear, a person I meet on the street or talk to at work, or anything else that may cross my path." -JK

via
You have my dream job. What advice would you give to those  with similar aspirations?

I have my dream job too! This sounds like really cliché advice, but the best advice I can give is to not give up until you make it happen! I have always wanted to be a writer, but it’s a tough industry to find work in. I did freelance writing for a few various websites that basically paid nothing-  I did concert reviews, and I wrote for an environmentally friendly online publication, to build up a resume, and applied for a million jobs! I actually didn’t get the job I originally applied for at FP, but they thought I’d be a good fit for the blogging position and contacted me.

 Where do you get your inspiration for your DIYs?

 I surf the web a LOT for inspiration, but a lot of times it comes to me! I’ll just see something, like a photo of a rad pair of studded denim shorts, and it sparks an idea for a project J being around so many creative people helps too!


It's no secret that FP is an awesome brand. What's the best part of working for them?

The best thing about working for Free People is the people. Everyone is so friendly, passionate about what they do, and creative. It’s really inspiring to be amongst them. And the dogs!

What's your favorite item from the new catalog?

My favorite item from our January catalog are the destroyed jeans in the pinkish color. They are blowing out though! I hope we get more in because I want them!

Where do you see yourself in 5? 10 years?

In 5 years I want to be working on my first novel, in a home I own with someone I love. In 10 years I want to be a published author!

Monday, January 16, 2012

2012 Golden Globe Awards

Let me first point out the obvious, my favorites are very similar to each other. Unfortunately, these best dressed ladies were caught in a rough sea of bad choices and huge disappointments on the red carpet. Nevertheless, they look stunning!

Best Dressed:
Claire Danes in J. Mendel // via
Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen // via
Jessica Biel in Ellie Saab // via
Kate Beckinsale in Cavalli // via
Uggie // via


Worst Dressed:
Sara Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier // via




Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald // via
Madonna in Reem Acra // via




Disappointments:
Natalie Portman in Lanvin // via
Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace // via

Thursday, January 12, 2012

December Birchbox

I am still recovering from the holidays, so this post is a little late! Nevertheless, I'm going to dig into my December Birchbox:





Ahava Mineral Body Lotion I'm a little lost on the Ahava products. They are overly scented for my taste and are thinner than I'd prefer. I like my lotions to be thicker so I really feel moisturized while this lotion left me feeling like I had just dampened my hands. I first discovered Ahava last year when I was at the Dead Sea in Israel and received so many samples. Since then, I've gotten a couple items in my Birchboxes and don't really use them. 

 


Amika Obliphica Hair Treatment I completely stay away from oil products like these because I have oily hair and don't need any help. Again, another product wasted on me. :(





EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster This was a nice surprise and it tasted pretty good. Energy boost? Not really.






Incoco Nail Polish Appliqué I was so excited when I found these in silver in my BB. Sadly, I've yet to use them but I can't wait! I've heard nothing but great things about them!




Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss Another product I was so excited to receive. I've been dying to try out Jouer and this lip gloss is really great. It's tiny so I don't feel guilty carrying around yet another lip gloss in my make up bag and the color is so pretty. Apply sparingly for a little sheen or add some more for Birchbox pink lips.






Showstoppers Designer Fashion Tape I haven't had a use for these yet but I'm happy to have them on hand because, well, you never know!





Stay tuned for my January Birchbox which I just received yesterday! It was filled with some of my favorite things so far. Also, if you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox, click here!

All photos via birchbox.com