2014 Inspiration | 2014 Blogger Challenge

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

2013 was a rocky year, but it's also the year that I decided to really change where my life was heading. I got clean in July after two years of an addiction to a certain substance and have stayed clean for about 6 months, I finished my first semester of college successfully, I've strengthened my relationships with my family and best friends and it's all because I took the risk of trying to turn my life around and I did it. :) I want 2014 to be another year of change and going after my dreams and being with the people I love. 

To me, this quote will be my reminder that in order to go anywhere in my life or make any changes, I have to be brave enough to try. It's very similar to Zoe Sugg's "Just say yes" which is something I reminded myself of a lot throughout the second half of 2013. I plan to go after my dreams and aspirations with guns blazing this year and I know 2014 will be a success, one way or another. I've already started taking chances this year and it's only the 3rd. :) Yesterday, I decided to try and get in touch with someone who I haven't talked to in months and months because of something that happened between him and one of my best friends. They were like brothers and I was so taken aback by his actions that I just stopped talking to him and I've missed him quite a lot ever since, so yesterday I got in touch with him and we ended up meeting up with each other last night and we've completely reconciled. I've spent months thinking about him because he was one of my best friends before as well and if I hadn't decided to take the chance on him again, I wouldn't have him in my life going into this year. I know he and my best friend still have their issues (which I'm hoping will soon come to an end), but that is after all, just between them and it doesn't really involve me at all. It feels good to know that he's back in my life. Good start to the new year, honestly. :)

I really do encourage anyone that reads this to go after what you want. It's scary taking risks out of fear of rejection or failure or embarrassment or whatever it is, but you won't even come close to what you want if you don't try. I promise you, it's so much more fulfilling to know that you at least tried going for what you wanted. Take chances, be brave, be ambitious, persevere, and live with no regrets because everything is a learning experience and never regret anything because at some point, it was exactly what you wanted. 

I hope all of you beautiful people have an amazing 2014 and I'm looking forward to everything that the future holds for all of us! Xx

I'm Back Home!

Happy New Year everyone! And hello to my lovely new followers, I hope you enjoy the random bits and bobs of my life that I post on here! :) I'm finally home from Vegas and although it was a fun trip, it feels sooo nice to be back in my place of comfort. :) As I didn't have a laptop with me on the trip, I've got quite a bit to catch up on on my blogs and YouTube channel. I'll be posting for the 2014 Blogger Challenge and a vlog and photos from my trip within the next few days so keep an eye out for that! Hope you're all having a wonderful new year so far! Xx

December Favorites

Now, I know it's a bit early to be posting my December favorites, but I'm actually leaving for Vegas with some friends tomorrow and I won't be posting much whilst I'm there. Also, some of these have been my favorites since November as well, but I wanted to wait until I got my camera to photograph them. :) All of the products below are very, very affordable so if you see anything you like, I really do suggest giving it a go. Without further a do, here are my December favorites.

(Orders of lip products and swatches)
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry,
Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in 10, e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil

I love the balm stain because even when the berry color fades, there's still a pink tint on the lips so there's still some color there. Black Cherry is absolutely amazing! I've worn it almost everyday since October. Zoella posted a blogspot where she had her YSL Rouge Pur lipstick and I wanted to find a similar shade and found this! I pleasantly surprised to see in her current favorites video from last month that this is the lipstick she chose for her YSL dupe. :) The Kate Moss was the perfect bright red lip if I didn't want to go to dark. Lastly, I came across this at Target and since I wear a lot of lipsticks, I thought I'd give it a go and it really does work quite well! I put on before my lipstick and it makes transfer from my lips to other things pretty much non-existent! :)

Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Contour Brush

These are by far the best brushes I've owned (granted, I haven't owned very many brushes lol)! There obviously very well known in the beauty world and I was excited to give them a go. The buffing brush is perfect for flawless foundation and concealer application and the contour brush is, as you'd expect, the perfect size for contouring. I also use it to apply powder.

L'Oreal Hydra Perfect Perfecting Loose Powder in Translucent 

I was previously using the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and I had heard so many amazing things about it that I was quite disappointed to find that I had to keep re-applying it every 15 minutes and I think it sort of enhanced my oily spots. I was on the hunt for a new translucent setting powder and found this and it is absolutely what I was looking for! It lasts for hours and hours, it keeps my shiny-ness at bay without making me look dull, and there's loads of it so it'll last for ages!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Sand

 As some of you may know, I never used to wear foundation. I always just used a BB cream and maybe some concealer. However, unfortunately my skin hasn't been looking its best the past few months so I thought I'd venture into foundation. Many YouTube beauty gurus that I love (ie. Tanya Burr, Zoe Sugg, etc) have said many good things about this foundation and I am pleased to say that I love it as well! I'd say it's a medium coverage, but can be buildable, and it covers all my spots and things really well without even using a concealer. What I really love is that it's not drying; I've got some dry patches thanks to these winter months and this doesn't highlight them at all. Love this stuff!

Maybelline Fit Me Blush in Deep Coral

 When I first got this blush several months ago, I wasn't a huge fan of it. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't as pigmented as I'd hoped. However, I rediscovered it this month and I'm absolutely loving it! I don't know if the brush I was using wasn't picking up the product or what, but this month I'm loving it! Now that I wear foundation, my naturally rosy cheeks get covered up so I've been reaching for this to add some color back into my face! I'd actually like to go to the store and look at the rest of their color range as well. :)

Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express

I feel like there's not too much I can say about this as pretty much every YouTube beauty guru and beauty bloggers have already raved about it! I will say this; I have quite short lashes (practically invisible), but this does the job of making them stand out a bit more quite well! 

L'Oreal 12hr Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner in Black

 I'm in love with this eyeliner! It's easy to use, it stays put, there's none of the fuss that I had with gel liners and it's pigmentation is pretty good! Simple as, it's amazing!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Deluxe EyeShadow Compact

(The colors I used most out of the palette) Top left - Smoky Ember, Top Right - Berry Burst,
Bottom Left - Sandbar Beige, Bottom Right - Hot Cinnamon

This is a beautiful palette that I was given by my mom and it's the one item on here that is a bit on the higher end, but it's such amazing quality! All the colors are beautiful, are highly pigmented, and blend incredibly well, but the four colors that I used the most this month are the four pictured above! My go to eye shadow palette at the moment. :)

Moroccan Sea Salt Spray - This sea salt spray does everything you'd expect it to, it adds texture and volume and it smells amazing! The one down-side I found is that it does make my hair have a bit of a weird paper-y feeling. I love it none the less, but I am on the hunt for another one. Any suggestions? :)

Tresemme Tres Two Spray - This is a quality hairspray! It holds volume and curls so well without making my hair crunchy or sticky. I curled my hair for a night out last week and fell asleep and my curls were still there in the morning.

Tresemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse - This adds the perfect amount of volume for me without being greasy. Since I have straight hair, it is quite easy for it to appear flat, but when I apply this right before I blow dry upside down, my hair has a lot more life than it used to! For the price, you can't go wrong! Highly recommend. :)

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection - Not much to say about this other than it does what it says it will and it smells amazing. Leaves my hair so smooth!

Moroccan Moisture Miracle Argan Oil - I use this after I get out of the shower when my hair is still damp and it leaves my hair so shiny and smooth! There really is a noticeable difference after using this for a few days. A plus? It smells amazing!

I've never done a monthly favorites post, so please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments and if you have recommendations of any products you think I'll like, leave those as well! Hope you're all fantastic! What have you been loving this month? Xx

A Little OOTD

I went out to dinner with my parents and quite liked my ensemble so I thought I'd share. :)

Hat and Pants: Old Navy
Blouse: V Generation
Jacket (my beautiful new jacket from my sister!): Forever 21 Plus

I am so obsessed with this new jacket, you have no idea! Also, whilst laying on my bed next to my e.l.f. palette, I thought I'd test some out. I applied three of the shades and this is what I got.

Please excuse my rogue eyebrow hairs and shiny-ness, I swear I'm not that shiny in real life.
The camera doesn't do the colors justice because the shadows are really, really good considering the price.
They're easily blendable, pigmentation is pretty good, and the consistency isn't chalky! Love.

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas that celebrates it! Xx

Christmas Eve: Family Dinner and Opening Presents!

Merry Christmas everyone! I had a lovely Christmas Eve; my family and I went to Ruth's Chris, who have the most amazing steak, and then came back to my house to open presents. I am pleased to say that everyone liked what I got them which makes me very, very happy. :) Here are some photos from the night, enjoy! PS - At the end of this blog post, there are some photos and descriptions of my gifts; I am in no way trying to brag, I just thought I'd share the gifts I got as I love them and think they're all so lovely. I know that I am truly blessed in more ways than one and I appreciate and the love and gifts i received from my family and friends!

Our hostess was so sweet! Our parents told her that it was mine and my sister's
birthdays a few days prior and they sprinkled these all over the table. :)

So sweet!

<333333

This is where the gifts begin, so if you'd rather not see what I received, please refrain from scrolling any further. :P I love everything I got from my friends and family and I feel so very blessed for a million different aspects of my life. <3

Sephora by O.P.I Top Coat
Essie Nail Polish in Bazooka (coral, orange-y, red)
and Parka Perfect (light blue, grey)
These are the first O.P.I. and Essie nail polishes I've ever owned! Very excited to use these!

Ya gotta love some good masks, teeth whitening products, and some gentle eye make up remover! :)

Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Too Cool
NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm and San Paulo
Words cannot describe how excited I am to use these products! I've had Baby Lips before, but not this formulation and so far I love it (much better than the original, in my opinion). And the NYX lippies! Sooo excited! I've got no true matte products so I'm very happy to have these and I've heard so many good things about the butter glosses, I had to try some. :)

A girl can never have too much deodorant and I'm curious to try out this Aveeno leave-in conditioner!

e.l.f. Baked Eye Shadow Palette in NYC
I'm very, very excited to start using this palette! I swatched a few of them on my hand and
they're quite good quality for the price! I do always love some good e.l.f. products. :)

The above items are all from mom and dad. <3

The clothes are from my sister and flannel is always a must so I love that and I'm completely
obsessed with this jacket! I don't have anything like it and I'm in love with it already. <3

The cup is from my mommy :)
The candle is my first ever Yankee candle and it is from Dalton in the scent Pink Sands. <3

These items are from the lovely ladies at the nail salon where my mom and I go, so sweet!
There's some lotion, a buffer, cuticle oil, and a nail file.

This is from a family friend and we've not seen each other in about 10 years, but we've always
continued to give each other Christmas presents and this year she got me this lovely
Coach wristlet!

Last, but certainly not least, are the camera I got and a Tiffany's silver heart necklace that my parents surprised me with!
I almost didn't want to show these as they're quite grand, but it is my blog after all. Lol

I have no words to express how truly blessed I am feeling tonight, not only for the gifts, but for my life in general. This time last year, I was in a very dark place in my life and the fact that I got out of that, I've now been clean for almost six months, and I spent the holidays with both of my parents and my beautiful sister...I just can't even describe it. I'm in awe, really, at how much my life has changed in the past few months and how incredibly grateful I am for my family and friends that have stood by me all along and got me to this point in my life. Have a merry Christmas all you beautiful people! Xx

LA Day

Pierson Fode from Storytellers! Such a charming guy ;)

Joey Graceffa! He's sooo sweet and ugh, I have no words. Just such a friendly guy!
(And he liked my coat and gives really good hugs lol)

We happened to sit on a One Direction advertisement when waiting
for the bus.

On the train home. :)

Merry Christmas! (Almost)

Heather and I filmed a festive video last month in preparation for Christmas and here's the result! It's quite a funny little question video that we got from Zoe and Joe Sugg (surprise, surprise lol). If you're not in the festive spirit yet, watch this to give you a little boost! Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday! Xx