November Boxycharm Review

Hey beauties, let's talk about some make-up. It's a Boxycharm day!

If you're new around here, here's the scoop:

Boxycharm is a subscription service that sends you 5-6 (often more!) full-sized beauty products for $20/month. Products are mostly in the make-up category, but usually include one hair or skincare item. There's also a good mix of more affordable/indie brands and high-end brands (I've received products by Tarte, Kat Von D, Smashbox, Lorac, and Ofra, to name a few.) And I always say this, but every time, the retail value of ONE item covers the price of the entire box. It really is an amazing deal.

So this post is a little awkward because I'm behind on blogging about Boxycharm (hello, November box!) and I also no longer have an active subscription. But! I want to be clear that I cancelled my subscription solely because I am living in excess (+ as a part of my no-buy year), but I still stand by a Boxycharm subscription 100%, whether you're a beauty fanatic, or just starting to dabble.

Take a look at all my past Boxycharms right here.

>> Subscribe to Boxycharm for $20/month here! <<

Here's what I received back in November:

+ ACE Beaute Grandiose Palette | retail value: $25
Ok, I'm going to rave about how much I love this palette. In my mind, it's pretty much the perfect eyeshadow palette. The colors are gorgeous and pigmented, and it includes not only neutral mattes for a simple every day look, but statement colors, AND shimmers. "Jasmine" is an infallible inner corner highlight, pop "Cinnamon" in your crease for a go-to everyday look, and I have been LOVING a cranberry smokey eye ("Rose" + "Poppy".) Both of the warm-toned shimmers are stunning. I used this palette all throughout the holiday season, and it even traveled with me! I daresay this is my favorite eyeshadow palette I've received in a Boxycharm.

+ It Cosmetics Secret Sauce Moisturizer | retail value (travel size): $20
I can't figure out why I received this - I'm guessing it's some sort of "please don't cancel" bonus? Anyway, this was the perfect little moisturizer to throw in my bag for my holiday travels. I've loved all the It Cosmetics products I've tried, and this is a super emollient moisturizer, a lot goes a long way!

+  JonteBlu Glittering Star Eyeliner | retail value: $5
This eyeliner is fun, though I don't feel like I have many occasions to wear eyeliner with silver glitter in it? This is evidenced by the fact that I own several pencils like this? Also the pencil itself is very scratchy. I would prefer a shimmer or metallic eyeliner, instead of one with chunks of glitter in it. Not my favorite.

+ Luxie Luminous Eyes Set | retail value: $30
Well this brush set is just darling, but not my favorite. Generally I like a much bigger/fluffier crease brush to blend my eyeshadow really well, and these are just too small. The one exception to this is (I thiiink) the 111 Mini Flat Angled (second from right), which is now my new favorite inner corner highlight brush.

+ CoverFX Glitter Drops in Nova | retail value: $44
This is a gorgeous/expensive product that can be used as a highlight, or an illuminator in your foundation or lotion. I'm most excited to mix this in with some body lotion, as I've been known to be very extra and wear shimmer lotion (and I've run out!) I can't imagine using this all over my face, and it was very intense/GLITTER as a highlight.

+ Lashaholic Instaglam Luxury Lashes | retail value: $15
I absolutely love this style of lashes! You can see in the picture that they are spikey, and looked extra glam and festive. I wore these to our office holiday party. These are reusable too, so I'll be able to wear them several more times. This is the third set of lashes I've received from Boxycharm, and they're one of my favorite things to get in a box!

TOTAL VALUE: $139 !!!

This was a pretty great box and I'll be honest, I've already gotten major FOMO seeing what has been included in the latest boxes.

As always, let me know what beauty products you are loving lately! Are you subscribed to Boxycharm or another subscription service? I'll live vicariously through you. Share in the comments below!

>> Subscribe to Boxycharm for $20/month here! <<

Athleisure, But Make it Fashion

| lipstick: ColourPop Lux Lipstick in LA Lady | sweater: H&M | leggings: Old Navy | trainers: Superga | 

Ya guys, this is the first official outfit post of 2019! Three cheers!

I've been feeling pretty uninspired & not excited when it comes to getting dressed lately (not sure what that's about?) but this is a recent outfit that I absolutely loved. I'm no stranger to running tights - I probably wore them for about 60% of my college experience, before, during, after practice, etc. but never as a fashion statement, just out of necessity.

I saw these online at Old Navy (their activewear absolutely kills!) and immediately pictured them with a chunky gray sweater & platform sneakers. This is, in my mind, the perfect casual lewk for right now; works just as well with a gray t-shirt, but I kinda like the juxtapose of a knit sweater with athletic tights.

These exact tights are sold out, but there are many ^ similar options out there ^ as well as the OG Adidas three stripe leggings that these are knocking off. How fresh is this dreamy pink version?? Somebody buy these because I can't. Pretty sure I've linked to the exact H&M sweater that I own.

Just because this is the first outfit post for a while, a bit of housekeeping: remember you can browse outfits by season > WINTER < shop exact or similar items in the widget above, and check out how else they've been worn on my blog by clicking the item name above.

I've been doing mostly retroactive blogging lately (a necessary evil) so how about a current life update?

+ I'm wrapping up a 30 day clean eating/dry January! I didn't have any real goals in mind other than committing to healthy eating for the month, which I have never done before. It's gone surprisingly well! Art & I have been using Hungryroot (check out that link if you're interested - I'll write more about it later) and cooking a LOT.

+ As a result of eating in/not drinking/the weather being so cold, we've been inside, mostly watching a lot of TV, though I've been reading too. Honestly it's been a cozy, but slow, month.

+ I've also taken this time to tackle some house projects & get organized. One thing I've been working on is a make-up inventory, to help with my no-buy, and goodness it has been alarming.

+ My no-buy challenge has gotten some great feedback! Excited to cheer on those of you that are attempting a similar challenge. So far this month I have bought: nothing. I do have my one purchase for Winter/early Spring in mind, but this limited shopping REALLY makes it hard to pull the trigger.

+ One of the first things I do every January is book travel, & I'm SO EXCITED that Art & I are going to South Africa at the end of March! One of our friends moved there last Summer with his wife, so it was the perfect excuse! South Africa has been at the top of my list for the last few years and I can. not. wait!

+ A real time update: I'm going to a murder mystery birthday party tonight and I am so excited. Have you guys ever done one of those? I have a feeling it's going to be my favorite thing - takes me back to planning my own birthday parties in elementary/middle school and forcing everyone to play those games, haha.

Thanks for checking in with me! I hope 2019 is treating you just fine so far.

photos by Adriane Smith Creative

#Pribattical Phase 3&4: CALIFORNIA

Final installment of my #Pribattical re-cap! Phase 1 here / Phase 2 here.

It feels funny writing about this trip to California, considering I've been back again since (for Christmas.) Though this might have been the least *exciting* part of my sabbatical, it was just as important to me to include in my "heritage journey", and I definitely want to remember it.

We kicked things off in the Bay Area for Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. I literally arrived late the night before Thanksgiving, and it was a jam-packed few days (it always is) including our annual doubles tournament (theme: classic PBS shows), multicultural dinner, family pictures ^ some time spent with my best friends, playing Settlers of Catan, a really beautiful and fun day in San Francisco, visiting with my neighbors, and getting to catch Tuppy in a show! 

Monday morning I dropped Art off at the airport (I've made this joke ten times but I was like, what, you can't take 4 weeks off from work with me?!) and picked up my rental car. It ended up costing a stupid amount of money to rent a car in the Bay Area and drop it off in Carlsbad, and I debated it, but I really had my heart set on a solo road-trip down the California coast. And it was heavenly. 

I made sure to take my time and soak in the absolutely gorgeous drive. I mean, when you do ever let yourself lolly-gag and take your time on a road-trip? Never! I stopped a few times to eat my lunch, and journal, and take a few selfies ;) and just reflect on the month and how thankful I was for it. It was, however unconventionally, a special part of the trip for me.

I spent a few days in the Long Beach area with Coren, Marisol, and Milo ALL TO MYSELF! I mean, basically. After having to share him with all of his aunts & uncles over Thanksgiving, it was such a treat to have some 1:1 time. We took some walks, watched a lot of reality TV, you know, life with a baby. We also had an epic "parent's night out!" that was a total blast. I've been spending more and more time in Southern California lately and really cherishing it. Already planning the next time I can go see MY nephew. Maybe for our birthday?!

Finally, to cap off the entire month, I headed down to the San Diego area for a few days with Sundar. We actually had the most fun bender of a few days. 

I know I said this wasn't the most *exciting* part of the trip, but by that I mean, it felt the most normal. Not that it wasn't special and fun, but it's not like I was in another country for first time in years. Does that make sense? It was really cool to just be in SoCal with family on a random week, for seemingly no reason at all. 

It was the perfect end to an incredible month! That's all for #Pribattical. Thanks following along.

#Pribattical Phase 1: INDIA / #Pribattical Phase 2: FINLAND / full itinerary / quick mems when I came back / makeup capsule for trip

I'm Doing a "No-Buy" Year!

I'm doing a "no-buy" year!

Inspired by Cait Flanders book, The Year of Less, my best friend Stephanie, who did this last year, and weary of clutter and consumerism - I'm doing it.

So, what's a "no-buy" year?
With the minimalism trend, this kind of challenge has become increasingly popular. Essentially, it's a commitment not to purchase anything in a category for a calendar year. But it's different for everyone! Some stick to not buying just clothing, just make-up, etc. or, ban purchasing any new tangible items all together. Everyone has different rules, and it's important to tailor it exactly to your reasons for doing it, and goals of the challenge overall.

What are my rules?
For the year of 2019, I am not allowed to buy:

• clothing, shoes, accessories
• make-up or beauty products
• home goods
• craft supplies

My no-buy covers virtually any tangible items I could purchase (? right? I think? I say that and maybe I'll surprise myself, ha.)

I firmly believe that the key to actually achieving a challenge like this is to give yourself very strict rules to follow, and tailor them exactly to your conditions. So yes, I'm talking about the exceptions.

I am allowing myself to buy:

• one item/season (one clothing item, one pair of shoes, one accessory) for a total of 4 items for the year
• a pair of Madewell jeans, that I wanted to buy last year, but they haven't gone on sale yet
• new bedsheets, if I decide I want to (so exciting!) 
• refill make-up, if and ONLY IF I am out of something and need to replace it (concealer. basically.) 
• souvenirs - I'll be doing some traveling this year, and I want to make room for special purchases. I don't have a strict rule about the number/dollar amount. This does NOT mean a shopping spree at Zara if I'm in South Africa :) but, I want to give myself the option to get something to remember a trip!
• also a note that gifts for others are totally fine (but not gifts for, myself.) 

You might say...well if you're buying stuff, then it's not a "no-buy" year. Well, you're not wrong! This is how I'm making it work for me, so I can actually achieve it.

I'll be honest, my reasons for doing this are more steadfastly about not acquiring any more clothes/make-up, and less about the random stuff. But for ME, it's a lot easier to ban other shopping all together than make a lukewarm promise to be more mindful about buying things. I am absolutely NOT calling anyone out, if that's your mind-set for the year, right on; I just know that doesn't work for me :)

Why am I doing this? 
My overall goal is doing more with what I already have. I truly believe I have more than enough clothing etc. that I don't even wear, as well as make-up and crafty stuff. But what IS it about opening something new, and using that instead of something you already have, that makes it so exciting?! Is that the high of consumerism?

Additionally, another goal is to make mindful purchases. The quarterly item purchase is not only to hopefully scratch my shopping itch, but to guide myself to shop strategically for what I actually need. For example - I have lots of Winter clothes, but what's the one completer piece I need to make my existing wardrobe go a little further? What's the one Fall 2019 must-have piece for me? It should be kinda fun to figure this out!

Goals in bulleted form:

• Using what I already have. 
• Focusing on making mindful purchase for things I need. 
• Saving money, for personal reasons. 
• Stop acquiring clutter! I don't need all this stuff!
• Further honing in on my style, & exactly what's in my closet. My personal style shouldn't come from *new* stuff. 

If you've done a challenge like this, I would love to hear from you! Right now I'm feeling optimistic (she said, 10 days in :)) but tell me, what worked for you? What were your rules? Are there exceptions I should add? What was the hardest part for you? Give me some helpful advice because I know this will be HARD.

I'm sure I'll be sharing update(s) at some point & using this blog to keep me accountable. Wish me luck! 

My #Pribattical Travel Makeup Capsule

So I'm still sharing from my #Pribattical back in November of last year (almost done, promise!) I don't have a traditional packing capsule to share, mostly because: it was a nightmare, I didn't love what I packed, and I don't think I did a great job. I kept saying, "this is not a fashion trip" ha!

Buuut I thought it'd be fun to share my "make-up capsule" from the month! I've gone through various stages of liking or enjoying make-up in my life, but since I've become a full-blown obsessive in the last two years-ish, packing this capsule was just as hard as packing my other stuff!

This may look like a lot of products, but I was mostly packing for very natural daily make-up (and honestly, most of the time I was in India I didn't wear any). I had some some nights out to consider (varying levels of glam) along with Thanksgiving (and family pictures!)

Most importantly - with the exception of the liquid products in the center, EVERYTHING fit in this tiny ipsy make-up bag. With a bit of room to spare, in fact, the concealer usually went in as well. I didn't have a lot space for make-up, but I had to be prepared with everything I needed! Oh - my lip products were plentiful and strewn about as well.

Base
e.l.f. Beautifully Bare Luminous Matte Primer | I really like this primer, it feels like moisturizer, in case I ran out, or was in a hurry. It's also the smallest primer tube I have.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation | I think I wore this only a few times, when I was really going for it and doing a full beat. I picked this foundation because it was the smallest one I had, & didn't really think past that! Though, why didn't I realize I could not wear a matte foundation in India with 100% humidity?! It's fine, I didn't wear foundation in India.

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Medium | Most days, if I was wearing make-up at all, my face/base routine was just concealer. I needed one that was full-coverage, brightening, & did it all. This Maybelline one is a Hall of Fame item for most everybody, including myself, & worked great.

Wet n Wild Contouring Palette in Dulce de Leche | This has become a go-to for traveling! Travel make-up is all about maximizing products (= space) & with this handy palette you get a setting powder & a matte bronzer (works well in case you also have a palette with a shimmery bronzer.) Also these palettes are great and a dupe for Marc Jacobs bronzer SO get your hands on one. (I have both shades!)

Eyes
Essence Make Me Brow in Browny Brows | I didn't even pack a brow pencil! So, that should tell you how satisfied I am with this product alone for combing, taming, and slightly shading my brows.

e.l.f. Mad for Matte Eyeshadow Palette in Summer Breeze | This palette was perfect for achieving a very simple daily eye look, or a darker, more dramatic smoky eye. You might be thinking - but it's all mattes! I used the browns in this palette + my Wet n Wild highlighter for a daily look (double duty, folks!) & basically the whole spectrum + my Super Shock shadow for a full lewk. This palette is so great for building up your shadow to your deseired intensity/drama level. I will say, I did get bored using only mattes & a palette with more of a variety would have been better, but I chose it for purely spacial reasons.

ColourPop Super Shock Eyeshadow in Weenie | For the days when my highlighter wouldn't cut it, I packed this metallic eyeshadow. These shadows are THE best, & this was all I needed to elevate my eye look. It could have been nice to have more shimmery options, but, I didn't really need them.

NYX Epic Ink Liner | I wore eyeliner very sparingly, but I knew I would want my favorite one on hand!

L'oreal Lash Paradise Mascara | I'm a two mascara minimum kind of girl (sometimes more) but this tiny make-up bag called for only one. SO, I needed one that did it all. This mascara has gotten so much buzz and for good reason. It's a great, affordable product, that did exactly what I needed.

Face
Morphe Brontour in Vlogger | I know, I know, TWO matte bronzers? This shade, for me, is perfect for contouring (vs. the other that's just for bronzing.) This is a good time to say I'm still searching for the perfect all-in-one travel palette with blush, highlighter, and matte bronzer.

Note Cosmetics Luminous Silk Blusher in Desert-Rose | Packing individual products like these next three is not ideal for travel, but again, I don't have them in a palette. This was more about finding products I would be happy wearing all month. This is a perfect everyday blush!

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso | This blush, the famed dupe of Nars Orgasm, is more of a blush-highlighter hybrid in my mind. If you're not extra like me, you could pack this product to serve both needs.

Wet n Wild Highlighter in Precious Petals | How do you pack ONE highlighter to wear for an entire month? This one is gorgeous, universally flattering, & works as well on the eyes as the cheekbones.

Brushes
Luxie Duo Fiber Brush, Tapered Highlighting Brush, and Precision Foundation Brush | I like traveling with a set of brushes because it makes me feel cute. These brushes (via Boxycharm) are great quality, & this trio pretty much covers it for your face products. I especially like the Duo Fiber brush because I tend to be heavy-handed with bronzer/blush.

Wet n Wild Crease Brush | This is a mini crease brush that is perfect for getting your eyeshadow exactly where you want it and nowhere else. Also, $3.

e.l.f. C Brush | This particular brush has been a favorite of mine for years, & in my opinion, is all I need in addition to a crease brush for eyeshadow (I find between the two of these, you can cover all your shadow needs if you're creative!) This brush is dense & great for packing on color or your base shade on your lid.

e.l.f. Fluffy Crease Brush | Could I have chosen one crease brush? Yes, but this one is more dense & therefore better for blending an overall look (& fixing a mess!) Not to mention, if you're traveling & using multiple colors, only having one crease brush would be a serious pain.

Sephora Collection PRO Airbrush Sweep Brush | Art's mom gifted me this a while ago (thanks Libby!) & I can't believe I haven't mentioned it yet, because it has become my FAVORITE contour brush. It's the perfect size for it, & it's mini and perfect for traveling.

Lips
*Of course I forgot to photograph these, not that they would fit in the above picture!

ColourPop Lux Lipstick in LA Lady | This is where things got a little extra. I love lip products more than anything, & therefore wanted to cover all my bases. This shade, for me, is the perfect creme MLBB, I hadn't written about it yet, but I've been wearing it non-stop!

Girlactik Matte Lip Paint in Posh | A matte MLBB. Loove this product. Here's what it looks like on me.

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Tampered | A creme mauve. Another great, everyday option.

ColourPop Lippie Stix in Lumiere | A creme dusty pink, I didn't need both ^ of these but this is so good.

NYX Liquid Lipstick in Kitten Heels | A true red matte! I thought this would be really fun with my read sweater & it was! I have this in a mini which was so clutch for traveling.

LORAC Pro Matte Lip Color in Cabernet | I guess I just wanted a vampy option for that time of year, but I probably could have left it behind. It's a statement (here's what it looks like on me.)

So how did I do? What are your make-up must-haves for traveling? Let me know in the comments below!

Love to travel? Me too! More travel content here.

A Little Holidaze

Hi everybody!! How about a few pictures from my Christmas & New Years?

This is what our Christmas looked like this year:

We are all 100% obsessed with our nephew/grandson, Milo! What did we even do before him? Ok, a couple more pictures of my nephew because guys, could you die?!?!

         

He received this giant present, which of course we had to pose him on top of immediately. And is my sister-in-law Marisol the queen of themed outfit shoots or what?

And now all of a sudden, I'm the adoring auntie who is whipping out my phone to show off pictures of my nephew. Life comes at you fast. I already miss Milo so much!

And then I had a smashing end to 2018 in New Orleans:
I hope you all had a beautiful & special holiday season! Thankful for every single one of you reading this.

I think I say this every January but I *love* this time of year. Though it's gray and cold, it's really the only time you can focus on bettering yourself, uninhibited, with no distractions, because there's nothing going on! I feel like I have time to think, and tackle some projects, and cook healthy yummy food, & read. I've been listening to a lot of smooth R&B, breaking in a new planner, and dreaming up travel plans and MORE for this year. I have a of things I want to clean up, both figuratively & very literally (I wish you could see my house right now - yikes!)

I also have a lot of things to share on this here blog, so, stay tuned!