YETI Rambler vs Sip by S'well

Over the years, I have amassed quite the collection of different water bottles. Recently, I have gotten two new water bottles, the Yeti Rambler and the Sip by S'well water bottle. I wanted to do a post comparing and contrasting the two so you can decide which one is the best option for you!

I got my Yeti Ramlber as a Christmas present this year and I just got my S'well water bottle in my Spring FabFitfun box!

Materials:

• Yeti and S'well are both made out of 18/8 stainless steel so they are puncture and rust free

Sizes:

In general, they both offer several size options:

• Bottle - to drink your water, juice, tea, etc.
• Mug- mostly focused on the hot drinks like coffee or hot cocoa
• Tumbler - Meant for wine or beer or alcoholic beverages

Bottles:

• Yeti only offers 18, 32, and 36 oz bottles. 
• S'well offers 9, 17, and 25 oz bottles

Mug:

• Yeti has 10 and 30 oz 'mugs' which they refer to as Ramblers
• S'well has 12, 16, 20 oz travel mugs

Tumbler:

• Yeti has 10, 20 and 30 oz tumblers
• S'well has 10 and 18 oz tumblers

Shapes

Amazon

Yeti has a more traditional shape, which gives more volume for liquids. Function over fashion. 

S'well

S'well looks very similar to a Coca-Cola bottle or an hourglass figure.

Colors:

Amazon

Yeti has some more traditional color options, as well as a stainless steel option.

Some of the color names include: Brick Red, Seafoam, Pink, Navy, etc.

S'well

S'well not only has solid colors but a variety of patterns that appear to come out seasonally!

Caps & Lids

Amazon

Yeti has a variety of lids, include sip lid, tumbler lid, magslide lid, and the bottle straw lid. 

S'well

S'well places a high emphasis on design rather than function and they offer a variety of caps and lids for their products. They also come in multiple color-ways.

Do they keep drinks hot/cold?

In my personal experience, I have found my Yeti does a fantastic job at keeping cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for extended periods of time. My S'well bottle has a very small opening so I can't fit ice cubes in it, so I have noticed it doesn't keep drinks cold for as long as the Yeti.

Which one is for you?

• If you are looking for something stylish and sleek, I recommend the S'well Bottle
• If you want function and volume, The YETI Rambler is the best option

What water bottle is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

Quintessentials Collection | Warby Parker

Since Spring is only a few weeks away, one of my main accessories is sunglasses! I love accessorizing with them, so when I heard about Warby Parker's newest collection of spring sunglasses, I couldn't resist!

If I could describe this collection of sunglasses by Warby Parker, I would call them classy yet practical.  They compliment an outfit without being too flashy. They pair well with your everyday attire for the workplace or school.  They are the perfect accessory to add to your wardrobe! 

Now, let me introduce to you these new styles!

First, we have Harris. You can't go wrong with acetate. These are my favorite style and would compliment both the casual and business outfit.

Second, we have Hunt. Hunt sunglasses come in two sizes, regular and Large.

The next style is Raider. Raider also comes in two sizes: regular and Large. You can't go wrong with metals. These are a very popular style but I definetly see myself as more of a Hunt or Harris kinda of girl!

And finally, we have Abe, which is another popular metallic style!

How does it work?

Ready to pick our your new sunglasses? You can either visit a Warby Parker store or you have them shipped to your home! Pick five different frames and they will be shipped to your house for free. You get five days to try them out! Once you figure out the style you like, you go ahead and purchase them online and ship back the samples that were sent to you!  I really like this approach because it's hard sometimes to know how something will fit your face just by seeing a picture on a website. 

I hope you enjoyed learning more about the new Quintessentials collection from Warby Parker!

What your favorite style?

*This post is not sponsored by Warby Parker. All opinions are my own.

What's in My Bag?

Can we all just admit for a hot minute that we all love seeing what is in other people's bags? Okay, cool. Glad we got that out of the way.

My mother got me a brand new handbag for my 28th birthday and have been dying to share with you guys!  I am so thankful for this birthday gift and will cherish it forever! This is my very first MK handbag! I am currently on the hunt for a new wallet because my current wallet is too big for this smaller bag! I always find these posts and videos fascinating and fun, since I am a handbag lover! You can also learn a lot about a person by what they are carrying around in their handbag!

Enjoy a look at new handbag!

First, to get started, this is the Michael Kors Mercer Medium Bonded-Leather Messenger. 

The bag has a padlock charm adding signature Michael Kors charm and elegance .

The bag has an open top and an interior pocket with zip.

The bag has my favorite, gorgeous silver hardware with adjustable shoulder strap.

It can be worn as a cross-body bag or held with the top handles.

So, what's on the inside?

* Ibuprofen and Excedrin for my headaches

*Kate Spade Card Holder for my ID and cards

*Emergen-C Drink Mix to fight off cold & flu

*Coach wristlet for my cash and coins

*Target pouch for extra rewards cards

*Headphone & chapstick in zip pocket

*Extra Polar Ice Gum

*My car and house keys

So, that’s what’s in my bag! What’s in your bag? I’m dying to know!

How I am using the Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly Planner

If you are wondering how I am going to use the Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly Planner, then based on the above picture you have probably already guessed...BUDGETING!!

I was inspired by Favorite Daughter Emily on Youtube to use the Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly Planner for budgeting! 

One of my HUGE goals for 2018 is to pay off my student loan debt! At the time of this post, I owe less than $9,000 dollars on my student loan and I would LOVE to pay that off in 2018. I recently added up our total expenses and total income and was really shocked at how much left over money we have that I can use to start paying down our debt! I am following the Dave Ramsey method and will be paying down the smallest debt first leaving the mortgage for last. We already have a $1,000 dollar emergency fund along with some other savings in case emergencies happen. I hope to do monthly budget videos on my youtube channel, so make sure you subscribe!

Do you make a monthly budget? What are you budget goals for 2018?

xo Liz

The Girl Behind the Blog

Image from Google

I saw Gemma from Touch of Belle do this post and I liked this concept. I love getting to know other bloggers and I think this will add a nice touch to my blog, so here we go! You can also find some of these facts I am about to mention on my About Me page.

My real name is Elizabeth but most people call me Liz

My birthday is February 17th

I am 25 years old

I am 5 foot 2 inches

I have two younger sisters and one younger brother

I am engaged to be married on October 24th, 2015

I are going to Los Angeles, California for my Honeymoon

I love the show Pretty Little Liars and have read almost all the books

I live in upstate New York in the Albany area

I LOVE COFFEE

My favorite food is salad, especially caesar salad

I have a strange obsession with owls and squirrels

I want to travel the world but first the rest of my country

I work for a hospital but don't work in the hospital

I drive a 2009 Kia Spectra, which I bought and paid for myself

I have applied to graduate school to pursue an MBA

My favorite place to vacation is York Beach, Maine

Leave some about yourself below in the comments section

Butter London Chat Up Nail Polish | A Review

Hi everybody! I made a video a few weeks ago about Butter London sending me a few nail polishes from their new Patent Shine 10X formula! This formula is supposed to give you brighter, shiner nails as well as have the following qualities:

1,Long-wear for up to 10 days

2. Shock absorbing & chip-resistant
3. Salon colour coverage
4. Gel-like cushion and superior shine
5. Fade-resistant colour
6. Formulated to smooth nails
7. Formulated to Strengthen nails
8. Prevents breakage and peeling
9. Visibly brighter, more radiant nails
10. No formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, or xylene

Taken from Butter London's website

Wedding Update | Honeymoon, Bridal Shower, etc.

Hi everyone! I have a few wedding updates to share with you all. We have been very busy with planning as the wedding is less than 5 months away!! In April, we booked our hair dresser, who will also be doing our makeup the day of the wedding. I decided to go with a local salon that I went to before and their prices are not bad for hair and makeup! I also ordered my headpiece for the wedding. I have decided to wear a hand band instead of a veil because I really like the vintage look. I ordered mine from an Etsy shop called Lola & Madison.  

Earlier this week I met with my mom, grandmom, and sisters to discuss my bridal shower. The shower is going to be a Saturday in August, which is two months before my wedding. We are going to have a luncheon at a local restaurant and we are inviting about 20 guests.

As for the most exciting part, we booked our honeymoon!! We are going to be staying in Los Angeles, California from October 26th to October 31st, 2015. I am so excited!  We won't actually be staying in LA, but at a hotel near LA. We booked our flights, hotel, and rental car. If you have any suggestions of places we should go, places to eat, etc. please leave them in the comments below!

Tips for Choosing an Apartment

Google

Welcome back to the blog. Today I am going to share with you some tips and questions to ask yourself when choosing an apartment, whether it be your first apartment out of college or moving into a new apartment.

Utilities

What utilities will you have to pay? 

Do any utilities come included with your rent?

Does the apartment have central air?

Gas? Electric? Cable/Internet? Water? Heat? Garbage? Snow removal?

Pets

Does your landlord allow pets?

Do you need to give your landlord a copy of your pet's medical records?

Is there a pet deposit?

Lease

Are you allowed to paint or make any improvements?

Late payments policy?

Are you required to have renters insurance?

Any maintenance responsibilities?

What is the length of lease? Is it month to month?

Are there any penalties if you break your lease?

Parking

Does your apartment include parking or do you have to park on street?

Is parking included in your rent?

Does your apartment include a garage? Does it cost extra?

Other

Number of bedrooms/bathrooms

Are the walls clean?

Are the electric outlets working?

Are smoke detectors working?

Do all the lights work?

Does the thermostat work? 

Is the apartment clean?

Hard wood floors or carpet? What condition are the floors in?

Some websites to look for apartments:

http://www.apartments.com/

https://www.craigslist.org

http://www.forrent.com/

http://www.zillow.com

http://www.padmapper.com/

If you have any other tips or tricks for apartment hunting, please leave them in the comments!

Fresh Start: Healthy Living

Google

For Christmas, my sister purchased me a few products from her nutrition program to help jump start my new healthy lifestyle. My main goal this year is to get healthy and in shape. My wedding is in 9 months and I would really like to get toned and fit. 

Since starting this program, I have noticed that my face looks puffy. I have also noticed that my middle section looks less bloated. These are the exact things that I have been looking to improve in myself this year. This best part about this program is that it is NOT a diet. It is a lifestyle change.

My typical diet everyday includes the following:

-A meal replacement protein shake or protein bar

-A mid-morning snack, usually a Fiber One Brownie Bar

-Lunch is usually a Smart Ones Frozen Meal or a can of soup

-Afternoon snack, usually a rice cake

-Dinner is whatever I feel like eating

-I take 1-2 oz of the cleanse drink every night before I go to bed

My current weight is 140 lbs. I am hoping to lose 10 pounds before I do my wedding dress fittings this summer. I do notice this program is working on making me healthier because three people in my office have come down with terrible viral infections and I have not gotten sick yet!

If you are interested in learning more, please comment below or send me an email at lizlovesmakeupx3@gmail.com

Some of My Favorite Snacks

These are some of my favorite snacks to bring to work and they are all better for you than something out of the vending machine at your office, college, etc.

Special K Cracker Chips - These are so delicious and 25 chips is only 120 calories!

Almonds - Probably one of the best snacks for you. Eat as many as you like!

Fiber One Brownie Bars - I enjoy these as a mid-morning snack and they are only 90 calories!

What are your favorite snack foods?

Influenster Dry Spray VoxBox Review

Thanks to Influenster, I got the opportunity to try out this awesome new deodorant by Degree. It is a spray-on deodorant that is supposed to last up to 48 hours! Here are a few of my thoughts on this product. First, I like the sleek design of the can so it doesn't take up a lot of space on my vanity. Second, it smells so good! There's nothing worse than having smelly arm pits and this stuff does not disappoint! I wore it to work and I didn't have to reapply it all day! It also had a cooling sensation when you it apply it as well. One can is supposed to last up to 8 weeks, so we'll see if it really last that long.

Degree DrySpray retails for approximately $4.99 at your local Walmart

Would you try this product?

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

2014 In Review

Here's a look at back at some of the exciting things that happened in 2014:

February 9, 2014 We got Engaged!!

May 2014 - Tulip Fest @ Washington Park

May 2014 - BeautyCon NYC

June 2014 - Concert at SPAC

June 2014 - Explored Cohoes Falls

September 2014 - Long Weekend Trip to York, Maine

I can't wait for 2015 because we will be getting married! 

I will also be turning 25 next month!

What fun things did you do in 2014?

2015 New Year's Resolution

Google

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?

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

Google

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

What Are Your Favorite Christmas Albums?

My thoughts on Interstellar

Google

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.

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?