ELF Products

I purchased quite a few things online at ELF a little while back, but I wanted to give them a good test run before I mentioned any of them. I've been meaning to try out some products for a while now but just never really found the time. They were offering free shipping and a free $25 gift card with a $35 purchase which was a deal I couldn't pass up. I wanted to start off by saying that it took a very very long time to arrive, but the free shipping an gift card made up for it. Here are a few of my first thoughts.

1. Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20: I've used up many of these and continue to buy extras just in case. They are well worth the price, feel great on the skin, and even the skin tone well. 

2.  Cream Eyeliner: This is also something I have repurchased in the past. I find it is easier to work with than some of the higher end cream eyeliners. The only downside is that it dries up quickly, but is readily replaceable because it is so affordable.

3. Mechanical Eyelash Curler: I don't care for this too much. The spring in it made my hand hurt when I tried using it.

4. Blush in Tickled Pink and Twinkle Pink: A lot of people really like these. To me, the formula is nothing special, and the twinkle pink a little to sparkly for me.

5. Lash and Brow Clear Mascara: I really liked this as a brow gel. It holds my brows in place without being flaky.

6. Matte Finisher Clear Nail Polish: I think this is the worst thing out of the lot. It made my nail polish crack.

7. Eyebrow Kit: I really like this eyebrow kit and have been using it daily since I got it.

8. Lip Exfoliator: I finally reached the exfoliating part and am really liking it. It works well and tastes good too.

9. Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky: I like it, but I think the color is a little too light for me.

10. $25 Gift Card: Look forward to another ELF haul in the future!

11. Powder Blush: This brush is incredibly soft and applies makeup well. I am really glad I bought it.

12. Matte Eyeshadow in Chestnut: Just okay. I'll add it to my pile of other eyeshadows.

13. HD Blush in Encore: I am still trying to work with this. It's really vibrant and kind of watery, but my sister made it work so, hopefully, I could too.

The Christmas Post: 2012

I hope that everyone had a blessed Christmas. To me, this season went by too quickly. I feel as if work and school just got in the way of fully immersing myself in the holiday spirit. Is that something that happens when you get older? I should have spent more time in church or listening to Christmas music or putting up decorations. Nonetheless, I at least got to spend time with friends and family which I am very grateful for.

Back In Action

I'm pretty sure I don't have to do much explaining about where I have been. School and work eat up a majority of my time and I spend the rest of it trying to keep myself sane. BUT I am about a week or so into winter break and have big plans for this blog (as long as the world doesn't end tomorrow). Let's start by catching up on a little bit of my life before winter break.

Balance

I have been neglecting this blog and reading blogs in general lately. To be honest, it's really hard to find the perfect balance between school, work, extracurricular activities, exercise, sleep, and maintaining relationships with my friends/boyfriend/family, let alone having time for hobbies. Iv'e been trying to find creative ways to sneak in stuff that I enjoy doing like painting my nails while I study or going to the gym with friends. My sister was in town last weekend and I took her to the library where I studied while she read magazines, which was kind of depressing on my part. On the plus side, I feel like we kept it pretty stylish for a day in our small town library.

Week in Review

Monday: Perfect weather to unofficially end summer. Labor day drive down the lakefront.

Tuesday: Game night!

Wednesday:  Can't beat a free concert with Childish Gambino and Santigold.

Thursday: BBQs great for meeting new people.

Friday: I'm a sucker for free things, but a 24 ounce smoothie is no joke.

Saturday: Pears are in season. Time to bust out the pear recipes!

Sunday: Woooorrrkk. 

My Life Lately: Scrapbook

I'm back in the city, I'm back in school, and I am starting to get back into the swing of things. It's taken me a little bit to get used to having this much commitment but I think it's a good thing. It's a great chance to figure  out what's really important to me right now and where I should place my time. The beginning of the school year is always my favorite because there are new faces, free events, free food, and the weather is still nice. With that said, I have just been enjoying myself not working too hard. Here are some pictures of what I have been up to lately.