2015 New Year's Resolution

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As we all know January 1st is right around the corner and everybody will be making their resolutions for the new year. I read an awesome article (this one too) that talks about resolutions every 20-something should make and here are my goals/resolutions for 2015:

1. Get into Shape/Eat Healthier: I think these are on everybody's resolutions but I am getting married in 2015, so I would really like to lose a few pounds before my wedding. I will try to do this by taking the stair more often and parking further away in parking lots.
2. Spend More Time with Family: This is a big one. Once I am married, I will be spending the majority of the time with my future husband. 
3. Save Money: This is a big one for everybody. I would like to build up my savings even more, so I have they money when it comes time to get a new car or put a down payment on a house/townhouse/condo/etc.
4. Travel to New Places: We are planning on going to California for our honeymoon, so that is a new place for me. I have never been to the west coast, let alone west of Buffalo, NY.
5. Get Organized: My fiance is moving in with me in the Spring, so I need to get rid of the clutter and junk I have, to make room for all of his things.
6. Turn Off the iPhone: This is a hard challenge. My goal is spend less time of the phone and more time interacting with friends and family. I'd also like to not sit in bed looking through my phone right before bed.
7. Do more Chores: I want to develop a habit of cleaning my apartment, like vacuuming on Wednesdays or Dusting on Sundays.
8. Drink less coffee:  This is a bold challenge for me but I want to drink more green tea and water. 
9. Make one video and one blogpost a week: I have been very sporadic in 2014 with my blog and videos. I want to try to focus more on consistency and quality rather than just putting up something.
10. Floss more often: This is a habit I need to break. I want to start flossing more consistently.

What are your resolutions for 2015?

Northeast Bloggers Holiday Swap

Today I received my swap package from the Northeast Bloggers Holiday Swap!

I swapped with Vely from A Mermaid's Rambles

She sent me this cute little Sephora Fresh Beauty To Go Kit!

It comes with a blush, an eyeshadow, a lipgloss, and a mascara!

I can't wait to try out the eyeshadow because it reminds me of Stila's Kitten shadow.

Only 8 More Days Until Christmas!!!

Awesome Deal for New Julep Maven Subscribers!

  Free 4-Piece Snow Day Themed Gift for New Maven Subscribers (Valued at $58)

Hi All! I had to share this awesome deal that Julep is offering for new members!
If you join Julep Maven now, you get the Snow Day Welcome Box for Free!

Julep is my favorite subscription service because of the following:

* They are the only customizable box of full-size, limited edition nail polishes and beauty products!
* They are extremely affordable! You get over $40 dollars of products for only $24.99 a month!
* Julep Maven members get 20% off orders, Free Shipping,  Early Access to Secret Stores, and more to help you save on your holiday shopping!
* A Maven subscription is a GREAT idea for a gift for the beauty-lover in your life!

This deal ends on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18th!!!

This post is sponsored by Julep

Christmas Time Tag

I saw blogger Gemma created this tag and thought it would be a fun holiday post to do this year!

Here are the rules:

-You must tag back the person who tagged you

-You must tag 5 other bloggers

-Have fun!

1. Do you have any Christmas Traditions? Well, on Christmas Eve we always watch The Polar Express before going to bed. On Christmas Day, we are only allowed to open our stockings until my parents go out of bed.

2. What is your favorite Christmas Film? For me, it's a tie between The Polar Express and Christmas Vacation

3. Do you have any Christmas Wishes?  I wish for my family to be together

4. What is your favorite part of Christmas? I love buying gifts and decorating!

5. What do you usually put up your Christmas decorations? I usually put them up after Thanksgiving but I have been very busy this year and don't have any of them up yet!

6. What Christmas food do you spend the year looking forward to? Hmmmm...cookies!!

7. When do you think "Christmas time" should start? I think after Thanksgiving is over

8. Top 3 Christmas songs of all time: Carol of the Bells, Mary Did You Know, Do You Hear What I Hear

9. What's your favorite shop for buying Christmas presents? I don't really have any favorites, but I just like to try and buy unique and thoughtful gifts if possible

10. Post a photo from a past Christmas that makes you smile

circa 2007

I tag:

1. Erin's Beauty Blog 

2. Beauty & Bliss

3. Rebecca Kelsey

4. But first, coffee

5. cupcakes & mimosas

My 3 Favorite Christmas Albums

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Josh Groban Noel | Clay Aiken Merry Christmas With Love |
 Christina Perri  A Very Merry Perri Christmas

What Are Your Favorite Christmas Albums?

$55 PayPal Giveaway

Hello beauties!

It is officially December which means the holiday season is in full effect and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a giveaway! This is a group collaboration giveaway with some lovely bloggers so be sure to check out their blogs, I am positive you will love them! I am so excited to be giving away $50 to one lucky reader from one of our blogs although I wish I could share with everyone!

Giveaway Rules:

There will be one winner that will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter.

You must be truthful with all entries.

Complete all entries and receive a bonus.

You must comment on this post about your holiday plans.

You may tweet about the giveaway each day.

This giveaway ends December 22, 2014 at 12:00 a.m. EST

Meet the Bloggers:

 From left to right.

Erinn from Erinn's Beauty Blog

Liz from Elizabeth Kathryn

Alix from Forever Alixandria

Amie from Fashion is Our Religion 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Favorite Online Stores

Since Cyber Monday is two days away, I thought I would share some of my favorite online stores:

Amazon

eBay

Hautelook

Forever21

Old Navy

Loft

American Eagle

Windsor

Zulily

Julep 

Rue La La

Jewelmint

Sigma Beauty

Sephora

Ulta

LuLu*s

What are your favorite online stores?

Weekly Drugstore Sales Roundup #3 (W/O Nov 23)

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Here are all the latest and greatest drugstore sales for the week! I went through my local Sunday newspaper to find these deals for you! Of course, always remember to check your local flyers as sales may differ in your area. Don't forget to get your Sunday paper for bonus coupons!

Walgreens (4 Day Sale 11/23-11/26)

• Buy One Get One 50% Off Maybelline Eye and Nails Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off Revlon Foundation, Primer, Concealer, Powder, Blush, etc.
• Buy One Get One 50% Off Covergirl Foundation, Primer, Concealer, Powder, Blush, etc.
• Buy One Get One 50% Off L'Oreal Foundation, Primer, Concealer, Powder, Blush, etc.
• Buy One Get One 50% Off Dial Body Wash 16oz
• Buy One Get One 50% Off Got 2b Hair Care
• 40% Off Lumene Skin Care

Rite Aid (Sale Dates 11/23-11/29)

• 40% Off Maybelline Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  Covergirl Lip and Face; 
• Get $2 Up Rewards when you buy $10 or More
• Buy One Get One 50% Off Revlon ColorStay, Photo Ready, or Age Defying Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  L'Oreal Eye Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  Almay Lip and Eye
• Physicians Formula: Get $10 Up Rewards when you spend $15
• $5.99 Revlon Super Lustros or Color Burst Lipstick
• Nivea Body Wash 2/$7
• Buy One Get One 50% Off All Eucerin and Aquaphor Skin Care and Baby
• Nivea Lip Care 2/$5
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  Any Alba, Avalon or Jason Natural Care Product
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  Olay Age Defying, Complete, or Fresh Effects Skin Care
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  Sally Hansen Cosmetics

CVS (4 Day Sale 11/23-11/26)

• Buy One Get One 50% Off  Revlon Foundation, Powder, Concealer, Blush, or Eye
• Buy One Get One 50% Off All Rimmel cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All NYC cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All MUA cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All Almay cometics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All Biore
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All Lumene skin care
• Buy One Get One 50% Off All RoC facial care
• Buy One Get One 50% Off CVS hand soap or hand sanitizer
• 25% Off Skin+ Pharmacy anti-aging or acne therapy
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All Lubriderm
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All Nivea body lotion or creme
• Buy One Get One 50% Off  All Palmer's
• 2/$14 L'Oreal Ever
• CVS Beauty Clearance Sale

This week's winner is CVS! 

Ways to Fight the Common Cold

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Over the past week, I have had come down with a cold. I had a stuffy nose, sore throat, etc.

Here are the things I have done this week to try and fight off this cold:

• Eat Chicken Noodle Soup
• Drinks lots of fluids, such as Orange Juice, Tea, Water, etc.
• Takes lots and lots of Vitamin C! I recommend Emergen-C Super Orange
• Take Zinc when you start feeling sick, it helps support your immune system
• Use a Humidifier when you sleep to help aid in your congestion
• Take a hot bath or shower, the steam will help open up your sinuses
• Rub  Vicks Vaporub on your chest and below your nose, it helps you breathe better
• Rest! The number one thing you need when you have a cold is rest!
• Only see your Doctor if the symptoms last more than seven (7) days, you may have a sinus infection or something worse that may need to be treated by antibiotics

Hope this helps if you are currently fighting the common cold

My First SampleSource Box

Long time no see! I have been sick all week with an autumn cold. Today I am finally sharing with you my first SampleSource box. If you don't know what SampleSource is, they are a company that send you free samples to try and then you have to fill out a survey a few week after you review your samples. It is very similar to Influenster except you get to choose what you receive in your box and it is first come, first server. I signed up a little late for this round of samples and as you can see above, I didn't get a whole heck of a lot to sample.  SampleSource is currently available for both USA and Canada! If you interested, just visit www.samplesource.com

My thoughts on Interstellar

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Last night I saw Interstellar with my fiance.  We saw the movie in an RPX theater, which it supposed to enhance the sounds experience of the movie. I thought it did. After seeing the movie, I didn't know that Christopher Nolan and his brother wrote this film. I thought the acting, special effects, and score were the highlights of this file. During the big scenes, you didn't expect to hear organs roaring in the background music, so props to Hans Zimmer on another brilliant score. I thought the plot was good but very confusing at the same time. It had a lot of concepts that were difficult to understand. My favorite character was TARS, the robot, which was probably unintentional by Nolan. It was also very weird to see Matt Damon and Michael Cane playing the bad guys. 

Overall, I recommend going to see this movie.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Albany,NY

If you ever come to visit Albany,NY,  here are five (5) places I recommend:

All Images from Google

1 - Empire State Plaza

Go Ice Skating during the Winter or visit for the 4th of July Fireworks Show

2 - NYS Capitol

Tours are offered daily

3 - Jennings Landing

Check out the amphitheater during Alive at Five concerts

4 - Lark Street

Great to visit during Lark Fest, has lots of great shops and restaurants

5 - Washington Park

Great to visit for Tulip Fest and the Holiday Lights in the Park

If you are from Albany, what is your favorite place to go?

Weekly Drugstore Sales Roundup #2 (Nov 2 - Nov 8)

Google

Here are all the latest and greatest drugstore sales for the week! I went through my local Sunday newspaper to find these deals for you! Of course, always remember to check your local flyers as sales may differ in your area. Don't forget to get your Sunday paper for bonus coupons!

Walgreens

• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Maybelline Foundation, Primer, Concealer, Blush, etc.
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: L'Oreal Foundation, Primer, Concealer,Blush, etc.
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Almay Foundation, Primer, Concealer, Blush, etc.
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Neutrogena Skin Care
• 69 cents: Select Wet n Wild Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Organix Hair Care
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Aveeno Skin or Baby Care

Rite Aid

• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Maybelline Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: All Neutrogena Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Aveeno Skin, Bath, Baby or Men's Grooming
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: L'oreal Face Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Covergirl Face Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Revlon Cosmetics
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Physicians Formula Eye and Concealers
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: Garnier Skin Care

CVS

• $5.99 OGX Hair Care
• $2/$10 Dove Advanced Care deodorant & Dove Oxygen and Pure Care shampoo/conditioner
• $2.99 Garnier Fructis Shampoo/Conditioner
• Buy One Get One 50% Off: John Frieda Hair Care
• Spend $10 on Revlon Cosmetics, get $3 extrabucks rewards
• Spend $15 on Maybelline Cosmetics, get $5 extrabucks rewards

Walmart

• $2.88 Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash
• $4.88 TRESemme Kreatin Smooth Shampoo/Conditioner/Heat Protection Spray/Illuminating Shine Spray
• $3.98 TRESemme Moisture Rich Shampoo/Conditioner/Firm Control Mouse/Hair Spray
• $6.97 Caress Daily Silk Body Wash Twin Pack

Target

• $6.99 Covergirl Lashblast Mascara or Bombshell Intensity Eyeliner
• $5.39 Dove 22-oz body wash
• Buy One Get One Free: L'Oreal Advanced Shampoo/Conditioner
• Buy One Get One 40% Off: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream or Luminous facial oil

The winners this week are Rite Aid and Walgreens! 

Unboxing: Target Fall 2014 Beauty Box

A little while ago I purchased the Target Fall 2014 Beauty Box. 

This box costs $7.00 dollars and includes free shipping. 

You can still buy the box HERE if you are interested!

Keep reading for a look inside the Target Fall 2014 Beauty Box

Secret Santa Swap 2014

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It is October 26th.  I know many of you are already have the holiday season on your minds.

I know am I ready to start preparing for the holiday season, whether it is buying gifts, decorations, Christmas music, baking, etc

This year I wanted to do something very special on the blog:

I have decided to host a Secret Santa swap!

1.  I will need to know some basic stuff about you. Your name, address, favorite things. Your private info will only be visible to me (your host) and your Secret Santa. Fill out the form below!

2. Deadlines

Sign up by November 10, 2014

Your Secret Santa match will be e-mailed to you by November 24, 2014

You have until December 15, 2014 to buy and send your gift

This swap will be international, so keep that in mind when shipping your packages!

3. Read you partner's blog, twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc to get to know them!

4. Let's keep the gifts below $50 and when you get your gift,

blog about what you got from your Secret Santa, or show it off on instagram!

And spread the word you guys-we can find new bloggers and spread christmas cheer! 

Haircut

If you haven't seen me post across social media, I finally got my hair cut! I had about 1.5 inches cut off to get rid of all the dead/split ends. I went to a new salon I found, thanks to Groupon. The salon I went to is called Executive Cuts and there are located very close to my apartment. If you are from the Albany/Latham/Loudonville area, I highly recommend!!

Fall Makeup Swap with Rachel

This weekend I finally got my makeup swap package from Rachel. We decided to do a swap a little while back and I finally got my package. Unfortunately, we both had issues with shipping, so most of the products we both sent got destroyed by the post office. These products pictured, however, did mange the trip from overseas. I am super excited to the try CC Cream and Mascara Rachel sent me in this swap. Doesn't this Sleek palette look amazing?

I am thinking of hosting a holiday/Christmas swap, if you're interested comment below!

Easy Breakfast: Special K Protein Breakfast Shake

I am not a morning person at all. I found these Special K Protein Breakfast Shakes at my local grocery store and they have a changed my eating habits in the morning. I used to be making trips to Dunkin Donuts or others coffee shops everyday eating crap for breakfast but now I am trying to be healthier. These shakes are so easy, all you have to do is refrigerate and shake! I also love these because they contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee! These are a staple in my diet! They taste just like a cappuccino and they are the perfect consistency! If you're looking for quick and healthy alternative, you HAVE to try these Special K Protein shakes! They are 180 calories and contain a 1/3 of your daily value of key vitamins and minerals.

You can buy a four pack for about $7.00 USD

What do you like to eat or drink for breakfast?

Nail of the Day: Julep Janel

*this post contains affiliate links*

When I got this nail polish in my Julep Box, I got really excited! I love polishes that are this pink-red tone. I didn't do a very good job on painting my nails but this color was amazing! I love the formula and it was opaque in one coat! 

I can't wait to use the rest of my Julep polishes!

If you are interested in Julep, check out their website at www.julep.com

Beauty Blogger Bunch Giveaway- Jaclyn Hill's Top MAC Blushes

Welcome to The Beauty Blogger Bunch's quarterly giveaway! We are giving away a customized MAC blush palette that just so happens to be the top favorite blushes of none other than Jacyln Hill! 

This giveaway is open worldwide and will end on October 31st! 

If you are interested in joining The Beauty Blogger Bunch apply HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Outfit of the Day [October 10, 2014]

*some links are affiliate links*

Sweater: Old Navy

Cropped Pants: JC Penney

Black Flats: Marshalls

Bracelet: Jewelmint

Purse: Vera Bradley

I hope you have all had a great October so far! Mine has been pretty boring but I am hoping that will change over the next several weeks! Today I wore a pretty basic outfit, featuring a sweater from Old Navy and a pari of cropper pants from Jc Penney. These are really cropped but because I am only 5'2" they are normal length for me. I decided to wear minimal jewelry and just stick to a bracelet and my engagement ring.  P.S. I am working on rearranging my spare room :)

Do you have any exciting weekend plans?

Currently: October 2014

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READING: The Maze Runner (still....)

WATCHING: 90210 on Netlifx

DREAMING of owning my own home

PLANNING our honeymoon 

WISHING for good health

PINNING recipes and wedding stuff

REDISCOVERING a healthy diet

TRYING to eat healthier and workout regularly

COOKING Amy's Burritos

STRUGGLING to eat healthy

ENJOYING fall weather

SEARCHING for fall festivals to attend

Weekend Getaway: York, Maine

This past weekend we took a trip to York, Maine. I have gone to York many times in the past for family vacations and wanted to go back for a long weekend with my fiance. We stayed at a lovely inn about 5 minutes away from the beach. We also took a drive to Nubble Lighthouse and Perkins Cove. It is a great place to go year-round with your family and friends. There are two beaches to visit, Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach. There is shopping in York Village, as well as the Kittery Outlets not too far away. 

Have you ever been to York, Maine?

Review: Degree Motion Sense Deodorant in Fresh Energy

Thanks to Influenster, I got the opportunity to try out the Degree Motion Sense deodorant over the past couple weeks, so here is my quick and dirty review:

• The scent is very fresh and not too overbearing
• Last for quite a long time. I put this on in the morning when I go to work around 7:00AM and I don't have to reapply again until the late afternoon, which I think it very impressive.
• It does not irritate my underarm skin.
• It doesn't leave marks on your clothing, like other deodorants can do
• It helps keep my underarm sweat at bay
• I wear it before I go to the gym and it really helps keep me feeling fresh through a workout!

Overall, I really enjoy this product and encourage everybody to try it out!

How do you #DOMORE with Degree?