March Favorites

Hello there!

I haven't done a favorites post for a few months so this will just be a favorites post for the past three months or so but that's still good right? Okay here we go...

Makeup: Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara

I used to be in love with the original formula but I've recently been using the flared version everyday and love it (Review of both here). Though it's not a dramatic mascara I like the subtle volume. 

Skin: Proactiv +

This is my savior of skincare, after years of acne this miracle has saved my skin and I just want to cherish how amazing and wonderful this was for me (Review here). I've been using that everyday and am really excited to order more and get new free gifts!

Nail color: White

I'm not sure why but white has always been my go-to nail color, its so easy and simple and matches everything that I continue to wear it all the time. I'm wearing it now but I think I need to go get some new colors soon ;)  (Post on that here). 

Hair: Ponytails

They have become my best friend this month because I've been working out twice a day and have been far too tired after all of that work to even try with my hair so ponytails, high and low, have been the perfect lazy hairstyle. 

Fashion trend: Cardigans

I've probably worn these 70% of this month because they're so warm in the morning then can be rolled up or taken off without much struggle when it starts warming up in the afternoon. 

Drink: Starbucks Passion Tea

Starbucks had a deal this month that if you bought a morning coffee, you got a free tea in the afternoon so of course I had to take advantage of it and I discovered how amazing the Shaken Iced Passion Tea is, sweetened of course. It doesn't have any caffeine but it's the perfect low calorie (60-ish) delicious cold drink (and only $2!).

Book: Divergent

I read a lot this month, probably about 6 or 7 books, all were of the fantasy/dystopian genre and I enjoyed most of them but none of them were as good as Divergent. It had similar themes to The Hunger Games but the worlds were so distinctly different that I was never bored or thought it was a copy. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed THG. 

TV Show: Teen Wolf

The finale was last Monday and I was literally sitting on the floor a few feet in front of my TV on edge for the last 15 minutes. I watched the first seasons on Netflix and have been enraptured in it ever since. I don't get excited about many shows, I watch most a week or more after they come on but Teen Wolf was good.

Music: The Vamps

They're a newer british boyband, I can only get to 3 of their songs on Youtube (CD is only out in Britain) but I really enjoy the upbeat pop songs so I've been listening to these three songs a lot for the past couple of weeks. 

Anyways, that's what I've been enjoying on this rather boring month. Here's to an amazing April! Sorry this was up so late, scheduling doesn't like me!And this was my 100th post which I think is pretty exciting...

Comment below what were some of your March favorites?

Have a Wonderful Day!

Mia B <3

New Years Resolutions!!!

Hello there!

I really love New Years Resolutions because it makes me look back at what I've learned over the past year or so and really set new goals for myself to better my future, something I should probably do more often than the beginning of each year.

1) Dress nicer

I've been completely inspired by the Carrie Diaries and I don't "bum it" now, I dress average. But I really want to start dressing up more, skirts and other fancy things, I love doing it and it gains more respect. Important as I'm coming close to adulthood.

2) Redecorate my room more

Last year I sold every piece of furniture in my room and bought all new ones but there's not many personal things up so I'll definitely be adding more this year

3) Figure out life (well, more at least)

Guess every teenager wants to do this but every year I feel like I know so much more and I love the feeling, like I'm preparing myself for life ahead and it usually all comes in handy. I just hope to have the same feeling in this year to come although I have a premonition of confusion in 2014. 

4) Focus on music

It's my shining light and everything that I am. I want to try and find as much happiness as possible in my life and music is my best place to find it.

5) Write more

Writing is my favorite thing in the world, I write on here and in personal journals and songs, notebooks are my staple. It's my absolute favorite form of expression and in the coming year I hope to do more writing and less Netflix. 

6) Be myself more

I was pushed around so often in my younger years that I was convinced being myself was close to the worst thing possible. But it's actually one of the best things in the world and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

7) Eat cleaner

I know the most common resolution is to lose weight and mine was last year and now 10 lbs lighter I don't feel the need to do so anymore. However I've watched many go through sicknesses and I'm adamant to try and prevent any of my own. I want to be like the 95 year old man I saw this fall playing golf and going out without any assistance.

8) Travel more

Even if it's just into the city, I feel like I stick around my small town so much. Need to see more, experience more :)

9) Complain less

A large wast of time and a damper on life

10) Put myself out there

A year ago if someone told me to put myself out there I probably would have looked like this amazing cat. But this year I'm ready to try new fashion trends, eat scary foods, travel to unknown places, speak up more often. I just want to push myself out of my comfort zone as often as possible. 

I'm honestly bursting with excitement at the unknown year to come. Things can only get better and I'm excited to try and actually do things for once. I may not stick to all 10 of these daring resolutions but I'm insistent on fulfilling at least half because I know that they will only bring happiness. 

I also want to remember to try and reflect more this year and set goals like these as often as I remember to, maybe monthly? I think I work a lot harder when I have a goal/resolution in mind and life's just better when I do them more often. 

Have a Wonderfully Fulfilling Day!

Mia B <3

December Favorites!

Hello there!

Just want to say a big HAPPY NEW YEAR, the time zones are pretty lost on me so it's probably the 2nd in most parts so happy (late) new year... better late than never, right?

So even though I've been fairly absent over the past 2 weeks, I've still managed to find some new loves, enjoy!

Nail Color: Essie's Bikini So Teeny

I know it's not the typical Christmas color but I feel like red nail colors can clash with outfits so I tend to veer away from them. This color has matched nicely with everything I can find and it's a lot more interesting than a white or black.

Hair Product: Redken Curvaceous Ringlet - Anti Frizz Lotion

I was skeptical when my hair dresser recommended this but I've fallen in love. This cream defines my curls and reduces frizz so well. As long as I put it in a fishtail braid over night, I wake up with as close as I've ever gotten to perfect curls, even with all the bleach damage. This is a huge improvement over my last curl defining product. 

Smell: Bath and Body Works Holiday Collection

They had so many sales this month!

So I've gotten the:
Vanilla Bean Noel Body Mist
Winter Candy Apple Body Mist
Cranberry Twinkle Body Cream
Merry Marshmallow Body Cream

All for about $18 which, if you've ever been to this store, you know is so little for 4 full sized products. Alone one normally costs $14, so I'm very proud of my sale skills here and they all smell like heaven!

Makeup: Natural Look

This month I don't know why but I've favored much less foundation and simple eyeliner (thin, unwinged). Occasionally leaving my house with simply concealer, maybe because of a bit more confidence from less acne. Who knows?

Fashion Trend: Infiniti Scarves

Me on the very right sporting one of my favorites last night

These have been on my wishlist for months and I've finally just gotten some for Christmas in red, tan, and black. I've been wearing them every chance I can get, they're such a nice addition to an outfit and very helpful in a climate that changes 30 degrees in a matter of hours.

Hair Look: Topknot

(My only picture I have is in the one with a scarf above but at that point my topknot had dropped into a fairly normal bun)

I'm a bit late to this trend but with my bangs and things I could never figure it out and I've finally just mastered it but it's a nice style for a day where my hair is really oily or very tangled.

Food: Pirouettes 

In front of my impeccably clean room (cue sarcasm)

I buy at least 2 of these every Christmas time when they become available and this year was no exception,  I actually received them as a present. They're shaped like a straw with layers of thin wafers surrounding a creamy, vanilla filling. But they are my absolute favorites and I've eaten far too many this month. 

Book: Mockingjay (Hunger Games Series #3)

I gave all of my Hunger Games books to my mom for Christmas so I wanted to quickly reread this wonderful book before they were gone. If you've never read the Hunger Games series, even if you're not a big reader, I highly reccommend them!

TV Show: The Carrie Diaries

They finally put the first half of the season on Netflix so although I've kept up with the new episodes for the past month, I now understand a lot more about the show and I am very, very inspired to start wearing more skirts and dresses on an everyday basis, Anna Sophia Robb makes it look easy!

Music:

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas by Michael Buble

Best Day of My Life by American Authors

I Do by Colbie Calliat

A Christmas song and 2 very upbeat feel good, can't help but smile songs for this months favorites...

Anyways, I hope you've enjoyed, my makeup favorites have been rather grim lately, I'll try to find more next month :)

Have a Wonderful Day!
Mia B <3

Gift Guide For Teenage Girls

Hello there!

As we get closer and closer to the amazing day I'm getting ridiculously excited for Christmas and all it holds so today I thought I'd list out part of my Christmas wishlist and hope it helps any adults hopeless for what a normal teenage girl would want. But us teenage girls come in many different breeds so I'll be categorizing different presents to get for different types of girls

For the headphone-addicted

I personally don't mind getting gift cards at all, it shows some amount of care and doesn't leave the receiver with anything they dislike. Unless you know of a specific CD or set of headphones they definitely want, I would highly recommend an iTunes gift card which come in many different amounts. I've been the person who got a CD they didn't like and let's just say my mom listens to it more than I do. 

For the comfy clothes girl

You cannot go wrong with a good pair of yoga pants, they're like socially acceptable sweatpants! My and most girls favorite brand for yoga pants is PINK, a side brand of Victoria's Secret, but don't worry, they're completely appropriate. These do run fairly expensive at $35 but if  someone bought me these and these alone I would be completely grateful. The top (inseam) comes in many different colors and designs so choose carefully :)

If you're looking for something a bit lower priced big sweatshirts are always nice, especially if you find one with something they like (such as Harry Potter) or even lower, there is nothing better than wearing extra fuzzy socks so can't go wrong with either of these. 

For the beauty-obsessed

This one is a bit more difficult as every girl has very different beauty-related things they want, but I'm sure that applies to girls of all ages. This season I don't think anyone can go wrong with the highly anticipated Naked 3 Palette (aka PERFECTION), the receiver most likely doesn't have it yet and it's a palette that flatters almost any skin tone. Though it is rather high priced so onto the less expensive options...

Gift cards: Ulta is one of my favorites because the products are a lot more versatile, they have huge stores with hair, nail, makeup, etc products. There's also stores like Sephora and MAC

If you are one of the many who think gift cards are careless, it's a bit of hit and miss from here. If you've tried something and really, really enjoyed it but know that they haven't yet, that would probably be a good gift. I bet there are a million beauty products out there I would love that I've never even heard of.  

I'M GETTING SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS... sorry just needed to note that :)

Hope you enjoyed! Comment below what's at the top of your wishlist this year! :)

Have a Wonderfully Festive Day!
Mia B <3

PS Sorry I forgot to upload this yesterday but there will be a second post later on today so that I can finish my month of blogging mission... :)

November Favorites

Hello there!

As always, it's the first of the month so it's time for monthly favorites! I always love looking through my feed at all the favorites around this time though I feel very unaccomplished this month... anyways, here's what I've been loving

Beauty

So I haven't gotten too many new beauty products, sadly it's been a slow month but I still have a few favorites...

Skin- Proactiv

This stuff is amazing, as I'm constantly reminded, it won't happen overnight. However, slowly but surely my skin is clearing up thankfully. My favorite product of the line so far would have to be the overnight clearing cream since it feels really, really nice on my skin. 

Makeup- Thicker Eyeliner

I've really started getting into my eyeliner recently and applying it thickly and winged everyday. Oddly, I would pick it over mascara at the moment, I know most are opposite but it really makes my eyes look bigger and it's my new daily essential.

Hair- Frizz Eaze Clearly Defined Sculpting Gel

I was hesitant to buy a gel as they are heavy and can give my hair that terrible crunchy feeling. However as long as I apply this when my hair is damp or heavily diluted with water it nicely defines my curls when it's curly or gives it waves when it's straight. I barely have to use any for amazing results and I've been using it literally everyday. 

Other

Tag: Sweater Weather

Hello there!

 

So I feel weird doing this since no one has tagged me to do this but I've seen so many Youtubers doing it and I saw another blogger do it and I love Sweater Weather... a lot even though I'm about to prepare for winter and Christmas I still love fall

 

1. Favorite Candle Scent?

 

I've been buying scents that are either foresty like Christmas trees or sweet like pumpkin pie but I really love candles

 

2. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?

 

 

I love hot strawberry or chocolate milk but I'm definitely a Starbucks/caffeine addict so coffee

 

3. What's the best Fall/Autumn memory you have?

 

I love a good bonfire, I used to go to so many, there's smores, the feeling of the fire, and good company

 

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: winged eyeliner or dark lips?

 

Winged eyeliner, I wear it everyday but I haven't tried dark lips yet so not completely sure

 

5. Best fragrance for Fall/Autumn?

 

 

I really like Wonderstruck Enchanted (one of Taylor Swift's scents), it has a flowery and sweet smell that reminds me of my fall baking obsessions

Current Favorites

Hello there!

 

I've just finally gotten out of bed after a long battle with a migraine but I am ready to write!

 

Today I wanted to list down all of my current favorites beauty and otherwise, and a short bit about each

 

Favorite Eyeliner: L'Oréal Infalliable The Super Slim Felt Tip

• Goes on easy, lasts for hours, very precise, and only $9

Favorite Nail Color: Essie Winter Collection

• So far I've only tried Shearling Darling but I'm already in love with the rest, keep an eye out for a review

Favorite Blush: Kat Von D in Por Vida

• Steep price ($25) however highly pigmented, blends easily, and lasts all day

Favorite Skin Product: Biore Acne Clearing Scrub

•  Just starting using it this weekend but my stubborn acne is already noticeably clearing up

Favorite Hair Product: John Freida Frizz Ease Clearly Defined Style Holding Gel (why is every products name so long?)

• I've been using this for about 2 weeks and it's helped define my forever frizzy curls when I use it right after my shower

Favorite Food: Premade Salad Bowls

•  On a healthy eating challenge but I have found success in these salads for lazy people already made for me at the store, pretty good for veggies

Favorite TV Show: Reign

• Love, Romance, Drama, a touch of history mixed with comedy and ta da! Amazingness

Favorite Song: Ten Thousand Hours by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

• Triumph over challenges, hard work pays off, and dream as high as you can, all things I love and stand by

I know, short, no pictures and I'm sorry! Have an adorable cat picture!

 

 Very un me-like today... I'll try to make up for it with a project I'm going to start this week that I'm getting very excited for, stay tuned!

 

Have a Wonderful Day!

Mia B <3

Winter Fashion Haul

Hello there!

So finally the day has come where I went shopping, weird I know. My closet has been wavering on the line between empty and just plain sad for a couple of months now but I finally went out and bought some new clothes for the cold weather we've finally gotten in California!

overall view of me and my sister's bags, her cat felt left out

Every piece I bought, a total of about $250 I believe

October Monthly Loves

Hello there!
 

So this hasn't been a terribly exciting month, and has been filled with many challenges however I have still managed to find some new amazing things in the world(of course) so here are my October favorites!
 

1. Liquid foundation

Before I started blogging I thought liquid foundation was solely for those with dry skin and never for those of us with the slightest inkling of oil on our skin. However I have come to realize that this is some hidden gem only for those willing to try it. This new secret has led me to so much, I adore the way it makes my skin looks and as long as you know to put a swipe of powder over it, it can be so wonderful. Even if you don't like too much coverage there is such a way to put on barely any and still love the way it looks. I've got Kat Vonn D's new one from Sephora and although it's a bit thicker than other liquids, I'm genuinely excited by finding out this new thing! (though it's probably not much to get excited about)

2. The Sephora Ultimate Travel Tool Kit

When I first started out with makeup I bought the absolute cheapest brush available(yes only one). It was a blush brush and I used to put on foundation, this gross powder that made me look pale and sickly. So you can imagine my wonder at these new beautiful soft magical brushes my mom nicely got me. There's a powder, foundation, concelor, shadow, liner, crease, smudger, and brow/lash brush and I absolutely adore them, they work nicely, are fairly durable and are unbelievably soft, perfect for the girl who's in love with traveling. Needless to say I'm in love. However they were $75 so definitely an investment for me. Next time I'll probably go for the real techniques brushes I've been hearing so much about. 

Wishlist Wednesday!

Saw this on 2 other blogs on Bloglovin and thought it would be a nice thing to try... just sharing my current wishlist with you guys. May not do this every Wednesday but I may, let me know if you guys like it! :)

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder



I saw this in Zoella's video this week on school and believe I saw it in MacBarbie07's too (both on Youtube) and it seems like an amazing idea. After being out in the heat for awhile or if you get naturally "shiny"(oily/sweaty) overtime just throw on a dab of this and it all goes back to matte. Especially helpful since I currently have to go through PE (gettin all sweaty) and live in one of the hottest states in the US, believe we were in the 90's this week, I know I would love a bit of this.

2. THE NEW IPHONE




Can we just all marvel at the beauty of these things right here? They make me so happy. After so long without them I want one now. Like RIGHT NOW. I sold my old broken phones and got $200 for them so I can actually buy them, I just need them to be physically released. NEXT FRIDAY. I really can't believe it. You will find me at the Verizon store that day, even if I have to sit there at midnight, even if I have to beg my mom to let me skip school for a few periods, I'm getting this phone. But as of now it will just stick on my wishlist.

Mia's Monthly Loves... August!

Mascara- Maybelline Falsies

 

While in WA I ran out of mascara the day I had to go to this fancy convention thing and had to hurry and find some in the only Walgreen's for miles. I'd heard so much about this one so I quickly grabbed it and ran. This isn't my favorite mascara ever but it's a really great drugstore one and for the price of it I think it works quite well. The brush is curved oddly so if you use it the wrong way it messes up your eyelashes a LOT but if used right they look pretty nice for $5. When I use this one I always wipe off the brush on the edge of the bottle to prevent clumping which can easily happen. So overall great quality for a cheap price.
 

Music- Surfer's Paradise, Brave, Roar, Bangarang

 

Summertime of Our Lives by Cody Simpson: http://youtu.be/UA0wb6E3hyg

Brave by Sara Bareilles: http://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4

Roar by Katy Perry: http://youtu.be/e9SeJIgWRPk

Bangarang by Skrillex: http://youtu.be/YJVmu6yttiw

 

Inspirational Sunday #4

Role Models!

I decided to write about this today because of last week's VMAs and everybody's different opinions on Miley Cyrus's performance. So when I was 9 years old, all the way back in 2006 I started watching an amazing show called Hannah Montana. I loved that show so much I never missed a beat. Mostly because I had this huge dream and Miley/Hannah was living her dream, I always wished like crazy that I could've been Hannah Montana. And I'm not going to lie, Miley Cyrus was a HUGE role model of mine. I absolutely adored her.

Seeing my childhood role model do that on stage last weekend wasn't the greatest thing but it's her life and her decisions. I try really hard to live my life in a state of "I'll do me, you do you", which really includes not judging people. I don't think that it was right to do what she did and if I was her you would never see me doing that but in another way it was her choice, her decision, her life and I think that people judge other's lives WAY too much.

Now, just because she was my role model doesn't mean she still is and doesn't mean you will EVER see me twerking anywhere, especially not public television. We choose our role models because they are who we aspire to be. We look up to them because we love them. Now if someone's role model is Miley Cyrus than her actions probably won't change that person that much. They already wanted to be like that, their role model only gave them more ideas.

Personally, my current role model is Taylor Swift because I think she is always kind and graceful and keeps  a wonderful public image, if she started going off the deep end I wouldn't see her as much of a role model anymore and definitely wouldn't start copying her if I didn't agree with her decisions.

I also think that Miley's career is becoming more of a joke to a lot of people but she has a lot of fans who are inspired by her willingness to be who she wants to be and not care what everyone else thinks. Now even though I don't agree with the provocative nature of her performance, I think that this idea/moral is really good and more people should think about it. So many hold themselves back from who they really are because they care so very much about what everybody else thinks. We all do it, even me, promise. It sucks but it always happens and I think that that specific part of who she is and who she stands for is very important and inspiring. However, if I start seeing little kids twerking in public, we'll have more to talk about.

I know this post wasn't pretty or as nice as some are but I hope it was still inspiring in some way or really just made you think in general. What are your opinions on Miley and her performance last week? Leave them in the comments and I will talk to you all tomorrow with a far more pretty and nice piece.

Have a wonderfully inspiring day!
Mia B <3

Morning Playlist

Hey there! So I'm one of those people who has to constantly listen to music all day, every day. In the car, working out (of course), in the shower, while on the internet, but one of my favorite times to listen to music is in the morning while I'm getting ready. So today I thought I'd share all the music I love to listen to early in the morning. Here's my morning playlist:


I've never been a fan of Cody Simpson before in my life but his new album Surfer's Paradise is actually pretty good. It's all the normal pop sound but the songs are pretty well written, catchy and most are upbeat and nice to listen to especially in the morning when I'm trying to force myself to get energized.