NYE Inspirations and a Sneak Peak

With NYE right around the corner, I've been playing around with a bunch of different makeup looks to see how I want to wear my makeup. My go to place for inspiration is Pinterest so here are some of my favorites from my makeup board. 

Source: makeuploversunite.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Karen on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Karen on Pinterest

I'm thinking this look or the one below may be the winner since my dress coral and the lighter shadows on the lid with a darker shade on the crease usually look better on me. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Karen on Pinterest

This is the dress and accessories I plan on wearing and of course some smokey eye essentials. As for shoes, I'm thinking either nude or black 

Do you guys have your outfit and makeup look picked out for NYE?

Check out my other inspirational looks here on my pinterest

Holiday Time

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Mine felt like a 5 day weekend full of activities. Anyway, here's some of the stuff I got.

Jason's family knows I love candle; so they got me enough to last a year lol. My favorite gifts were the Jimmy Choo perfume and the makeup book I've been wanting. I heard Kevin Aucoin's first book is better than the second so that's the one I got. I also got some of the Organix body lotion's which smell sooo good. I'll do a review on them after I've used them for a while.

I can't wait to wear these boots! They are the exact kind I've been wanting.

I've been in a pretty artsy mood lately so Jason got me an easel and some canvas's

I of course had to get my little Binx some toys too. I've had him for less than a month and he already has like 10 toys and 3 outfits lol. So spoiled. 

There are a lot of places to go around here to look at the Christmas lights. For a nominal fee of course ha. We went to this Park across the river with some friends and did our annual get together.

Did everyone have a good Christmas?

My Current Skin Care Items

I don't think I've done a skin care post yet. I wanted to feature some products that I use on a daily basis and do a mini review on each. 

Neutrogena Healthy skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti Blemish Face Wash: 

I love this face wash. Since it contains alpha hydroxy acid after I wash my face with it, I let it sit on my skin for a few minutes while I was the rest of my body. I don't know if it helps any, but I feel like leaving it on my skin for those few minutes helps to make the ingredients work better and after a couple weeks of use I've felt like my face is smoother. I would repurchase.

Dial NutrSkin Body Wash:

I think this is a really good all around body wash, it doesn't leave my skin feeling tight after the shower and it smells really good. I wouldn't say it's the best for really dry skin because I think a cream oil body wash would be better, but if you have normal skin then I think this one is a good pick. I might repurchase this. I feel like my skin could use a more moisturizing body wash so this one might not be the best fit for me during the winter.

DDF Eye Cream:

I've been using this eye cream for about a month now. I don't have any wrinkles so I can't anything about wrinkle reduction, but what this eye cream really is is a preventive type cream for day wear and contains SPF 15. I however, use it at night before my face cream. I love the little pump dispenser  it lets you squeeze out the perfect amount of product so there is no waste. I don't have any dark circles under my eyes, but I've actually noticed my eye area looking a little brighter. I might repurchase this, while I do like it; I've been wanting to try out an eye cream by ROC.

Origins Starting Over Face Cream:

I got this cream when Origins was having their Earth Day cream give away. It smells really good and it very moisturizing  I feel like you only need a little bit of this stuff so it should last you a while. I use this at night after my eye cream and in the morning my skin still feels smooth and moisturized. Even in the winter time, when my skin tends to be a little drier. I would repurchase this.

Nivea Extended Moisture Body Cream: 

This has to be one of my most favorite body creams I've ever used. I got the one for dry to very dry skin and it's really good. It smells great and is moisturizing without being heavy or greasy. I've actually woken myself up in the middle of the night by rubbing my own arm lol. It was seriously so smooth and soft. Sometimes I get those little dry bumps on my upper arms, but since I've been using this I haven't noticed any of those bumps. I'm not faithful to creams and body washes cause I like trying new ones all the time, but I would definitely repurchase this one, unless of course they had another one I wanted to try on sale or something. 

What's your favorite skin care item?

Can't Get Enough...

Vests! I'm really into the puffer vests especially. It's perfect for when you still want the warmth of a jacket but without having to deal with the bulk. 

This brown one is Alice&Oak. It retails for $80, but I got it for $40 at TjMaxx

This furry one below I actually got at the thrift store with tags still on it. It was priced at $25 which I thought was too much to pay for something at a thrift store even though it was new so I put it back. Not even 2 minutes later an announcement came on saying that the entire store was 50% off, obviously I rushed back to the rack to get it since I felt like it was pretty much meant to be :). I think this would look hot paired with liquid leggings and a long sleeve tunic like top. 

These last 2 are by dollhouse and I got them from Macy's. They retail for $49, but I got them for $14 each on clearance! The black is a size medium, so it's a little big on me, but since it's a dark color it doesn't look like it's too big. The white is a size small and fits perfectly. 

What's one of your favorite winter pieces?

Victoria's Secret, Makeup and Hair products haul.

I kinda went a little crazy this week and bought a bunch of shower gels and body sprays from VS. I only got 2 lotions because while their lotions smell amazing, they aren't all that moisturizing. I find that a $5 lotion by Nivia is a much better moisturizer. Somehow I forgot Such a Flirt body spray in the bag so it's not pictured below, but it's actually my favorite scent out of all of them. Anyway, here's what I got.

The next day I went to my local dollar store and bam! I found all these Got 2 Be hair products! I couldn't believe it. I bought one of everything, but now that I'm thinking of it I wish I would have picked up an extra can or 2 of hairspray. I've already used the Afterhours spray when I wore my hair curly and the curls held up perfectly and my hair looked extra shinny and healthy. 

I also picked up an eyeliner and and elf crease brush. I currently use the MAC 219 for my crease, but at a dollar it doesn't hurt to have an extra one and this one seemed really good and the perfect size. 

What has been your best $1 store find?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ~ & a Surprise!

Saturday night we went with some friends to the Roosevelt hotel. The Roosevelt is known for it's gorgeous Christmas tree decorations in their lobby. It was fun to get dressed up, take some pics by the tree and then go to their fancy bar for overpriced and not so good cocktails lol. Seriously, $12 for a margarita? Anyway, it was fun though.

Since we were all dressed up and had a few cocktails in us we figured we would go out to a nightclub afterwards for some dancing...and then that of course turned into a night at the strip club ha. Ah, good times.

As for the surprise. I got a doggie! He's a rescue so I don't know his breed or how old he is, but if I had to guess I would say he's a puppy of maybe no more than 6 months and I think he may be mixed with a Yorkie and miniature schnauzer. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow for all his shots so I'll find out then. 

Skirt and top -TjMaxx, Accessories- Forever21

If you had to guess, what do you think his age and breed is?

DIY - Glitter Switch Plate

I've been pretty obsessed with Pinterest for the past few months so when I came across a diy glitter switch plate tutorial I knew I had to try it since I already had everything needed to make it. 

 To start off with, I used an old switch plate I had lying around just in case I messed it up. The plate looks white here, but it was actually that old fashioned egg shell color. I sanded it really good with medium grit sandpaper so that the glitter and glue would adhere better.

 The glue I used was fabric glue since that's all I had around. I mixed it with some extra fine glitter in Champagne that I got from Michaels. In hind sight, it probably wasn't necessary to mix the glitter with the glue so you could probably skip that step and still be fine.

This is what it looks like with a thick amount of glue (1 coat)

Now work fast and cover it with a thick amount of glitter. Whatever doesn't stick can be reused so definitely apply it generously. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then tap it on its side to get the excess off. Touch up any spots that need it. Let it dry over night and then apply 2 or 3 coats of Mod Podge acrylic sealer in a gloss finish. After the sealer dries, there should be no glitter on your fingers when you touch the plate. 

(thick amount of glitter before tapping it off)

The great thing about this sealer is that is can be used on jewelry too (another tip I learned from Pinterest). So I used it on my gold costume jewelry. Time will tell how it holds up :)

And here's the finished product, a flash was used in the top right and bottom left picture. I have some extra crystals left over from a previous craft project so I might glue it over the screws, still debating. I'm using this plate in my closet/makeup room. 

Have any of you tried this DIY? 

Geo Dress

Can you believe I got this dress for $12.50 at Forever21?! I think it's perfect for so many occasions. I wore it to a wedding here, but it can also be worn for a night on the town. 

 Earrings and necklace are from F21, necklace is from Charming Charlies.

 I ended up switching to a different necklace right before leaving the house. I thought this heavier one looked better with it. This necklace is from Ebay $6

Watch: Michael Kors, bracelet: vintage 

No Fuss Hair - Waterfall Braid

I learned how to do a waterfall braid a few weeks ago and I've been loving the look lately. It looks like a somewhat complicated style, but it's super easy. These pictures are from my first attempt at the braid.

 You basically start with 2 sections of hair, twist it back, grab another piece and put it over the one of the original 2 strands and then twist again to lock it in. That piece just hangs down and you repeat the process...Ok, my instructions sound really confusing lol. I'll include the video I watched so you can get a better idea.

I watched the video again after I did my hair and mine didn't look as good as hers. I noticed that she twisted her's down whereas I twisted mine up. 

Video Instructions skip to 6:20 for the hair tut. 

What's your go to no fuss hairstyle?

Thanksgiving Eve Outing

For Thanksgiving Eve Jason and a Friend of mine thought we would check out a new place, Carousel Piano Bar and Lounge. It isn't exactly new, but the last time I've been there was about 8 years ago and they recently renovated it so we thought it would be the perfect time to check it out. It's located right in the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans which is said to be the most haunted hotel in the city.

Canal St. all done up for the Holidays

This bar used to be a carousel which they converted to it's present state.. It actually spins too, hence the name. It moves very slowly so you don't really feel it. In fact you don't even realized it turned until you notice that your facing in a different direction lol.

 Did you notice my new phone? I really wanted a white one so Jason got me the Galaxy SII

 I've been wearing my hair like this a lot lately. I just pull back the front pieces, grab the middle to poof it and bit and pin it. It only takes like 30 seconds and looks like you actually spent time on it.

Shirt and leggings- F21, Jacket- Hollister (thrifted), Bag-eBay

Did you guys do anything for Thanksgiving Eve? I hope everyone had a happy Holiday :)