Sunday Snapshot [11.25.12]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving filled with food, family, and of course some football!

Since Thanksgiving just passed, I thought I would share what I'm thankful for today.

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my family.

My parents do so much to ensure that I have the best life possible and love me unconditionally.

I'm super lucky to have them in my life.

And although my sister and I don't always get along, I couldn't ask for a better best friend.

She always thinks of me, and is super fun to hang with.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
xoxo

Fall Dresses

I love wearing dresses during the summer since they are super easy to throw on and to keep cool.

However I always have a hard time figuring out how to wear them during the colder months.

Tights are usually what I turn to when trying to put an outfit together with a dress during the fall.

There are endless colors and textures, so there is always a pair to wear with a dress.

I also feel that wearing a dress during the colder weather allows you to play with layering and try different combinations of shirts, jackets, and accessories.

Here's how I would wear these dresses!

Outfit 1: I plan on going out and buying a chambray shirt dress ASAP!  I love the creamy scarf and burgundy tights to add some fall colors to this outfit.

Add caption

Dress Scarf Tights Boots

Outfit 2: This outfit is casual, but can be worn out to dinner with friends at night with a pair of heels.  Love the all black ensemble, with the blue/black tweed jacket!

Dress Necklace Tights Boots Jacket

xoxo

All Burgundy Everything

This seasons hottest color is this deep red, oxblood, burgundy. 

And I absolutely love it!

During the Fall/Winter season, I tend to gravitate towards darker colors.  

And when I say darker colors, I mean black.

This is a great alternative to black because it's dark and versatile, yet not black.

Here are some burgundy pieces I want in my closet!

Shop! 

Corduroy Pants, Flats, Blazer, Nail Polish, Sweater, Fur Vest, Bag, Heels

How do you feel about burgundy?

xoxo

November Birchbox [& Other Products I've been loving!]

Happy Monday!

I haven't shared what I got in my Birchbox for a while [my last post was in July!] but figured I would start posting these again!

So here's what I received in my November Birchbox!

• Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue - the smell of this is nice, but reminds me more of my grandma than something I would wear
• Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder - didn't think I would like this because it's a loose powder...however I love it! makes hair look & smell fresh without leaving white residue!
• Miracle Skin Transformer Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector - giving this to mom to try
• ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend Lengthening Mascara - have been using this the past few days - love!
• Lifestyle Extra: Chuao Choolatier Potato Chip Mini Chocolate Bar - giving this to my sister because she loves chocolate covered potato chips!

Other beauty products I've been loving:

- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup - it provides the right amount of coverage and doesn't bother my sensitive skin

- BH Cosmetics 88 Color Palette - I've been going out a lot lately, so I started wearing eyeshadow and love the crazy amount of colors in this palette

What did you get in your Birchbox this month?

What products have you been loving?

xoxo

Top 5 Fall 2012 Make-Up Trends

{all photos via Harpers Bazaar}

I love makeup.  There is something about putting on a fresh face every morning that makes me feel so good.  My everyday routine is super simple.  Just some foundation, a little blush, a bit of eyeliner, and a swipe of mascara.  But there is something really fun about experimenting with different colors and different styles.  I keep up with makeup trends, however rarely do I venture out of my regular routine.  So today I wanted to share this seasons hottest makeup trends that I kind of want to try!

1. Deep Red Lips - I can't wait to try a red lip!  Red lipstick is super intimidating and super dramatic, however I think a red gloss would be more wearable and perfect for a night out!

a. Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish in Brandi

b. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Glossy Stain in 2 Brun Glace
c. Nars Lipstick in Fire Down Below 

2. Brown Smokey Eye - I think this is way more wearable and probably easier to apply than a black smokey eye.  I really love neutral eye shadows and can't wait to try this!

a. Urban Decay Naked Palette 2 
b. Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection

3. Cat Eye Eyeliner - This looks really hard to do, but I think this would be really fun for a night out!

a. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black
b. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink 

4. Defined Eyebrows - Eyebrows are those things that are personal and different for each person.  But this season it's all about those thick, natural brows.

a. Benefit Brow Zings 
b. Anastasia Brow Gel

5. Fresh Flawless Finish - What girl doesn't want a flawless complexion?  A flawless finish can be attained with some primer, a little concealer or foundation, and some highlighter.  

a. Bare Minerals Bare Vitamins Prime Time
b. Benefit How to Look The Best At Everything
c. Benefit Watt's Up!

xoxo

Things I'm Looking Forward to in November

It's so hard to write about materialistic things when so many people just 30 minutes away are left with nothing due to Hurricane Sandy.  I guess the best way to move past this and return to normalcy is to be optimistic.  That is why I wanted to share all the things I'm looking forward to this month.
I really love November, it's my second favorite month (December being my first!).  The crisp feeling in the air, cheery spirits, and family time.

Here's what I'm looking forward to this month!

• Friday night I'm going to a concert with my sister in the city! Super excited to get dressed up and go out!
• Holiday cups at Starbucks - once my Starbucks regains power I'll be the first one there getting my red cup of yumminess!
• Thanksgiving - my two favorite things: family and food!
• Black Friday Shopping - we start late Thanksgiving evening and head to the outlets in upstate NY! They have the best stores and the best deals!
• Start of Holiday Season - well according to the stores, it already started based on the amount of holiday stuff on floors...but to me, the 'official' start of the season is black Friday!

What are you looking forward to this November?

xoxo

Sunday Snapshot [11.4.12]

{how i spent my days in the dark & cold: glamming up some old drink coasters, lighting candles, and reading}

I don't think anyone predicted how bad Hurricane Sandy was going to be.

It's crazy how one storm can affect the lives of so many people forever.

I just regained power and heat yesterday and spent today recovering and cleaning up around the house.

But losing power for a week is nothing compared to the thousands of people who lost everything.

Now that I finally got power back, I was able to see images of the Jersey Shore and Staten Island online and it's devastating to hear all the stories of the lost lives and lost homes.
The boardwalk where I hold so many childhood memories is completely destroyed, floating in the ocean somewhere at this point.  The beach, where I spend my summer days, gone.

I have family in both Staten Island and down the shore who were both greatly affected by the storm.
My cousins in Staten Island lost everything.  Their home, belongings, everything.
Down the shore, my cousins were lucky enough to get minimal damage but returned home to find neighbor's boats, couches, and debris on their front lawn.

I live in a suburban town in New Jersey, about an hour away from the Jersey Shore and 20 minutes away from New York City.
The night of the storm there were power lines coming down, trees falling everywhere, and many fires.
But nothing compared to the thousands left without places to stay.

There are may ways that you can help Sandy victims.
- Donate through the Red Cross or through iTunes
- Give blood
- Shop - if you are in the city, Barneys is donating10% of all purchases today to relief efforts ending today
- Donate clothes, gloves, blankets, toiletries

These next fews months are probably going to be really tough for a lot of people.
We'll make it through this.

xoxo