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Sunday, August 31, 2014

August Favorites

I just cannot believe that today is the last day of August, can we please turn back time?  I need more summer days...sad, but true.

But end of a month means something...monthly favorites!  Let's see what I have been loving this month:


1- Naked Basics by Urban Decay: This is pretty much the only eye shadows that I used this month.  Love all the colors, and the best part is how easy to create day and night looks from one simple palette.

2- Angel by MAC: By far my most used lipstick this month.  I love how neutral it looks in the lips, still making them look polished lol

3- Fit Me 225 Foundation by Maybelline: I reached for this foundation the beginning of this month and fell in love all over again with it.  Not full coverage, but that's exactly what I was looking for on a foundation that I can use on a daily basis.

4- Milani Eyeliner in Black: I will confess; I buy eyeliners like there is no tomorrow, don't know why but it has it's benefits.  I recently ran out of my favorite eyeliner by Rimmel, but was too lazy to actually go out and buy another one, so I reached on my eyeliner drawer and pull this baby out.  I love to use it on both my water lines and love to use it on my upper lip and smudge it at the end.

5- Deodorant by Secret: I know pretty basic stuff, right?  I had got a bottle of this to try out at home, and when I ran out of it I immediately went to my Target and purchase it again.  It's an aerosol deodorant but I love how good it smells, and when I am using it my sweat is controlled.  Pretty amazing stuff...

6- Dr. Rescue Baby Lips: This is the medicated one and it's my bed time lip balm for at least 2 months now.  Love it.

7-Biore Pore Strips: I have actually just repurchased this last week.  I love how effective this is, period.  I am serious, I love it.

Not many products this month, but those where the ones that I really reached for this month.

XOXO,

Nelia

Back to School Series: Skin Care Essentials

Today is the last day for my Back to School Series, I thought that it would take a lot of time of my life to do 2 posts a day, but I LOVED it.  I really think this series can be an annual one, what do you think?  Let me know.

For my last post I decided to do a skin care essentials, school life can be hectic, but taking care of your skin is important too.  With these 4 easy steps you can keep your skin looking healthy and making you having a glow.  

Let's start:


1- Makeup Wipes: Always remove your makeup, that should always be your #1 step.  I love my Simple makeup remover wipes.  It removes EVERYTHING, including my mascara.

2- Cleanser: Cleanse your skin, even the nights that I am lazy and tired I always remove my makeup and cleanse.  This Oil-Free Acne Wash by Neutrogena is perfect if you have oily/acne prone skin, it cleanses your face, but it feels like you are applying lotion.

3- Toner: I am going to admit, a few years ago I didn't see the point of toner, now if I don't use on my skin care routine it doesn't feel complete.  Apply it with cotton pad and if you missed any makeup it will pick it up with is a bonus.  This is by far my favorite drugstore toner by Olay.

4-Last step? Moisturize: Now that your skin is clean and toned, it's time for moisturizer.  Even if your skin is oily, you will still need to moisturize.  I am using this on that I got on my Ipsy bag in July (I think???) Be Fine-Food Skin Care.  I am loving it and will for sure purchase the full size once I run out of it, which I still need to find out where I can buy it...

That's it, see not much work involved but your skin will love you for taking care of it...

Ready for school?

Thanks to everyone that checked out this series!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Back To School Series: 5 Nail Designs

AH, I can't believe this is my second to last back to school post.  Well, I'm not going to complain now, I leave that for tomorrow's post HAHAHA.

Let's get to today's topic, NAILS.  I had so much fun looking for inspiration and doing these nails...ok time to show my 5 picks for back to school nails:

1- Rulers: I knew I had to recreate this look when I saw something similar to it on Pinterest.  And it was pretty easy to do.


Only needed 2 colors for this design, Yellow and Black.


The yellow that I used is by Sinful, Bananapeal.  I painted my all my nails this color and then used my Milani nail art polish in black for the vertical stripes and little dots.  Just do a couple small vertical stripes and then a longer one.  Once you do it you will say "It was sooo easy".  I only did 2 accent nails with the ruler and I feel that this way it looks really wearable and still cools pretty cool.


2- Pencils: When I decided to do this one, I really didn't think that I would like the design, but once the nails where done, I loved it.  Sometimes you just never know if you are going to like something until you try, right?

Please tell me you think they are cute too, it cannot be only me?


Here are the colors needed for this one; Silver, Yellow and Pink. I used the same yellow as the previous nails, the silver one is from JulieG's last Christmas collection.

And for the pink I used the one from Orly, Raspberry Ice.  I painted all nails yellow and let them dry.  Then I did a small silver horizontal strip 3/4 of the was down the nail and the end I used the pink one to represent the eraser.  Pretty easy one too.

3- Refill Paper: You totally can customize this one, you can write on the "paper" or you can make the "paper" on all the nails.  I think it looks cute and more wearable this way.


Colors used, White, Blue and a Pink nail art.


The blue color is Coastal Surf by Revlon.


I paint all nails but the accent one (which I painted white) with the blue color.  Once the white is dried, use the same blue (I dabbed a little on a piece of paper and used a nail brush) and do horizontal strips on the whole nail and let that dry.  Once is dry, use the pink nail art polish and do 1 vertical line on the right side of the nail and you are done.  Easy...



4- Simple: This one is for the people that don't want to wear school designs on their nails.  This is something so simple and you will look really, really stylish.  I am actually wearing this look as I type this blog post. 


I forgot to take a picture of just the nail polishes, for the Gold I used JulieG Gold Gift from last year's Christmas collection, the pink one is Raspberry Ice by Orly and the blue one is Dreamer by Revlon.


These nails takes so little time to do and these polishes dry pretty fast.  On your ring finger do the gold color, then do blue and white on the others alternating the colors and that's it.


5- Preppy: If you have to wear an uniform for school, you could do the same colors as your uniform.  The light and dark blue one is kind of popular.  These don't look perfect but still looked pretty cute.


For colors I used the same gold one as the previous nails, a white nail art, a litter blue and a navy blue.


The lighter blue is Blue Slate by Revlon and the navy blue is Navy Baby by Sally Hansen.


And the gold is Gift of Gold by JulieG.

 Painted the ring find with the gold color, all the other nails the navy blue.


Then I used the lighter blue and create a upside down triangle on the top and connect another triangle on the bottom of it.  Then used the white nail art for the strips.


That's all for my top five nail art/designs for back to school.  What nail designs/art do you do when you go back to school?

Back tomorrow for the last back to school post...

XOXO,

Nelia


August Wrap Up

I don't like it, it's already the end of August, which means that summer is pretty much over...bummer.  And it's time for another wrap up on books, here are the books I read the month of August:

1- Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead: not going to go into much details as I have done a review on it already (here).  But I am going to say I loved this book and love this series, I hope the next book comes out sooner rather than later...


2- Hexed by Michelle Krys: I was so happy when I finally finished this book, I really enjoyed reading and again there is a review on it already (here).  I got this book from Netgalley.


3- Half a King by Joe Abercrombie: I just finished reading this book a couple days ago and I couldn't wait to do a review on it (it's up already).  This is not the kind of book I usually pick up, but I am so glad that I looked into on Netgalley and got approved to read an advance ecopy.  Young Adult Fantasy, I am so interested on it now...this was an amazing story with a great twist at the end.


I have to say, I can't believe that I read 3 books in August.  I am not going to lie, my old self would have read 8-10 books in a month, but I have learned not to push myself, because at the end I am the only one that suffers...Concussion, I am dealing with you, not an easy task at times but I am...

Now off to pick up some new books to read in September.

XOXO,
Nelia

Friday, August 29, 2014

Empties: August 2014

My first Empties blog post.  Are you saying "What is Empties?", as it will not come as surprise by now, I love watching YouTube, and for maybe a couple years now, beauty gurus do these type of videos, where they show what products they have ran out of.  They also give you a mini review and let you know if they would repurchase that product again.  I thought it would be fun to do a blog post, especially I ran out of a lot of products this month.  I am not sure how often I will do these kind of posts, as you don't run out of so many products very month, right?  Well, I am going to stop talking, well typing and get to the post:

My little basket that I keep the empty products in:


A closer look:


Here are my empty products, a little bit of everything, from makeup to body to skin care.


1-Caress Daily Silk Body Wash (White Peach & Silk Orange Blossom):  So, I have been using Bath and Body Word body washes for a very long time, I cannot even remember the last time I used another kind.  Well, that was until I tried this one from Caress.  I had just ran out of my BB&W one and was just to lazy to get another one from the cabinet and this one was already in the shower as my husband was using.  I fell in love with it, it says daily silk, right?  It truly feels silky and makes your skin feel so smooth while you are washing with it and even out of the shower you can feel your skin soft.  Will I repurchase again: YES.


2-Bioderma: I have been using Bioderma for a few years now and I just ran out of this bottle the beginning of August.  I love this product, I totally recommend this product and yes, it's a little on the expensive side, but my skin is important and definitely thanks me when I use it.  It's a multi purpose product, it takes off ALL your makeup including eye makeup and after your makeup is all gone, you just use it again to cleanse your skin.  Not only does amazing with removing makeup and cleanse but it's also so sensitive for your skin, I have a very sensitive skin and not all products will be good for me, this one was a win at the very first day. Will I repurchase: YES, I actually need to do it now, because I bought one that was said that did the same thing as Bioderma and it ruin my skin in 1 day and when I used it again on the second day, well it was a disaster, breakouts all over.

3-Olay Oil Minimizing Toner: I am not going to talk to much about this product now, as I am doing another blog post where I will get into more details.  But one thing I will say, it's AMAZING. Will I repurchase? Yes, in fact I have already repurchased, not 1 but 2 of them already.

4-Ellen Tracy Intensive Deep Wrinkle Serum: I got this product at TjMaxx and it took me a little time to give it a try, but once I made serum part of my skin care routine, it totally blew me away.  It doesn't make my skin dry or sticky, I pat this in my face and neck and my skin just absorbs it like water.  Will I repurchase again? Yes, I am actually looking for it, went to a couple TjMaxx and didn't find, I am hoping they are bringing it back.  Do you know where I could purchase this at?


5-Matrix total results Repair: This is a leave-in hair product, it says that it helps with hair that breaks easily and it's also good for over processed hair.  To tell you the truth, I was not impressed by it.  It felt nice when I put in my hair, but it didn't help when my hair was tend to break.  It was just an okay product.  Will I repurchase again? Probably not.  There are so many good leave-in treatments out there.

6-Silicon Mix bambu Hair Mask: Now when I used this hair mask I saw results instantly. Even washing off your hair after you apply the product you can run your hands thru your hair and it fell smooth and not tangling at all.  My hair gets tangled a lot and I loved the days I got to use this mask as it made brushing my hair after taking a shower so much easier.  It also makes your hair look a lot more shiny and bouncy and it claims to get with hair growth, I think I will agree with it.  I just saw a picture from a couple months ago and my hair is sooo much longer now and I think it may be because of it.  Will I repurchase again: Yes, of course.



7-BB&W Sparkling Pink Champagne Hand Soap: I think I got his hand soap at one of my Bath and Body Works black Friday bags.  It has taken me a little time to use it, but I really enjoyed it, my hands never felt dry after washing with this product.  Will I repurchase: I think so, if it's available.


8- Benefit they're Real! Mascara: I got this sample with one of my Sephora purchases.  At the beginning I didn't think they made a real difference.  I do have good lashes, pretty much all mascara's look good on me.  But after using it for a couple weeks I got to see the difference.  I have to say, when you start using it, it's a really wet consistency mascara, and when it dried a little more it made a really good difference.  Will I repurchase: Yes, I know it's a little expensive for a mascara but it's worth it.
 

9-Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Definer Eye Liner in Black: I have a few eye liners that I rotate, but once I started using this one I just couldn't stop using it, well I did stop eventually, but it was when it was all gone.  I loved how it stayed on my water lines (upper and lower) really well for the whole day.  I used it for my water lines, as a eye liner.  It is a really good eye liner for a drugstore one.  Will I repurchase: Yes and soon.

And that's it for my "empties", did you like it?  Let me know so I can keep doing it this kind of post.

XOXO,

Nelia

Back to School Series: 5 Outfit Ideas for School

I can't believe that I only have 2 more posts on this series after today.  1 week really went by fast...

Today's topic is about fashion, outfit ideas for school.  I went to my closet and picked 5 outfits that I think will look good during school, let's take a look:

1-Circle Skirt, Denim Shirt, Combat Boots and Statement necklace:  You will look very girly with a twist (combat boots).  And every girl should own a pair of combat books, I live in mine during the fall, these are from Target and that's where I will be purchasing again.


2-Shorts, Hoodie, Flats and some Earrings: This just calls comfort, comfy hoodie, and some comfy flats.  These is the kind of outfit you want to wear on those days that you don't feel like yourself and just feel like wearing PJs to school.  But don't, instead wear something like this, you will have the comfort and still look cute.
 3-Colored Jeans, Cute White Shirt, Flats and Hoops: I love colored jeans, these ones are from Old Navy, they are so comfy and look amazing.  I love the back and front cut outs on the shirt, it just gives a little extra on the outfit.  For shoes; flats and jewelry; hoops. I always get compliments with these jeans, it's a great color to complement any skin color.

4-Dress, Booties and Long Statement Necklace: This is a great outfit to transition from summer to winter.  A simple summer dress is just everything for me, adding a long statement necklace and booties, it just brought it to the next level.

5-Plaid Shirt, Skinny Jeans, Wedges and Hoops: I love this outfit too, plaid is so in right now for fall.  This shirt has long sleeves but you can roll them up if the weather is still warm.  Nothing like skinny jeans, these ones? Forever 21, so affordable, comfortable and looks good on.  You cold pair a nice pair of heels with these, but for I figure during the school day you are walking around a lot and you need something that will give you height but still be comfortable, that's where wedges come from.  I live in these, again they are from Target, I paid $35 for them this spring and I regret not buying the nude ones too.


That's it for some outfit ideas.  What do you wear for school?  Do you go for comfort?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Book Review: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

I have FINALLY finished reading this book.  I have realized that with my concussion head I cannot read more than 20-30 minutes a day, and I don't read as fast as I used to.  Bummer. But the important thing is that I can read and just have to learn to take things slower than usually.  Enough with  my concussion problems and let's get to the book...

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

I got an ecopy of the books months ago, I think before my concussion, from Netgalley.  This is not the kind of book I would have picked out if I went to a book store, but I am so glad that I got a change to read it, I am so much inclined now to read more fantasy books.

Half a King is told by the prospective of the youngest son of the current King, Yarvi, who was giving up everything in order to become a Minister.  But everything changes on the day, that his uncle Odem told him about his father and oldest brother deaths, making him the new King of Thorlby.  Yarvi only has 1 healthy hand, and was never treated the same way his older brother was.  He tells you that he never thought his father cared about him, neither did his brother.  People didn't look at him with respect, he spent all his life hiding his left hand, ashamed of something that he was born with, he wasn't even sure if his mother cared for him.

With his father and brother's deaths, he took an oath to kill who murdered his family and therefore he goes to war with his uncle Odem and destroy and seek revenge on the town of Amwend, a land whose owner was the responsible for his family's death, King Grom-gil-Gorm.  At the end of the battle he truly knows that no one respects or ever wanted him as king, as his own blood, family, uncle Odem wanted him dead.  Yarvi falls into the sea and because they cannot see his body is left behind making Odem the new King.

After that Yarvi goes thru hell and back, he gets taken out of the sea, brought to the presence of Grom-gil-Grom, to whom he lies saying that he is a cook's boy.  Grom-gil-Grom makes him a slave, he gets sold to a pirate ship as an oarsman (with another lie), there he lies to get a higher slave position.  Which he didn't expect to make more enemies than friends, enemies that take the opportunity of the ship owner gone to kill him.  His slave friends save him and together with other 5 slaves, Yarvi escapes.  During the voyage to his land, he and his friends are faced with everything you can image, freezing weather, hunger, making trades and allies, fighting enemies, losing friends in battles and making allies with enemies. 

Soon, Yarvi comes back to his birthplace, to fulfill his oath to kill uncle Odem.  His mother sees him, is proud of him and helps him with his plan.  Soon the day comes where there is a battle and at the end of that battle the true king get his black chair back.  But do you know who the true king is?  Well, you will have to read to find out, a very nice twist I have to say.

In the very last chapters, we find out that Yarvi passed the test of the ministry and he becomes Brother Yarvi.  He meets with his teacher, and tells her a tale, of who the true murderers of his father and brother are.  He tells her how the plan was made, who was involved and vengeance he takes again, killing another one responsible for those deaths.

This is book 1 of the series, or trilogy, I don't know, but what I know is that I cannot wait for the next book to be out.  I am so glad I got out of my comfortable zone and read this book.  There was always something happening on this book, when you thought what else could happen, you get the answer for it.

Netgalley, thank you for this ecopy of the book, absolutely enjoyed it.

That's it for my review...off to the next book.  Want to know which one?  Don't forget to check back in a couple days as I will be doing my September TBR.

XOXO,
Nelia



Back To School Series: My Favorite Hairstyles

On today's back to school post I want to talk about hairstyles.  I remember my school years and back then my go to hairstyle was a ponytail.  Now a days you can still rock a ponytail with a few twists, if I only this back then...

I was going to go all these hairstyles in my session and take pictures, but instead I grabbed my phone a took a look at my pictures and took my favorite hairstyles that I actually wear on my daily basis. Let's take a look?

1-Because I have already mention the ponytail, let's go to hairstyle number 1.  High ponytail with a little twist...

 It's so easy to do and will only take you literally 2 minutes.  Pull your hair up and do a normal ponytail, then grab those little elastics bands and tie one in the middle and another 3/4 of the way down.  Pull the hair out a little right above the band and you get some volume and style...

2- Side braid, probably one of my favorites.  This is a hairstyle that I do just as much in the summer time as the fall/winter time.


Pull all your hair to one side (right or left whatever you prefer), braid a normal braid and tie at the end.  You can braid all the way down or leave some unbraided hair. Have bid bangs or you are letting you bangs grown?  Do what I did, pin them to the back. this is a look that makes you look so put together and you only spend 5-10 minutes on it.

3-French Braid in the front: This one will take a little more time to do, but then you will not need to worry about your hair for the rest of the day...


Part your hair to one side, not in the middle, just a little more.  Start doing your french braid, taking pieces of hair from the front and front the back.  Do it until you reach your ear, then braid normally until the end and tie it.  You can make the braid tight or a little loose, it's up to you.  I like to do mine tight so as the day goes it will loose it up a little, but will maintain the style.


4-Straight hair: It takes time, I know.  My hair is curly/wavy/frizzy and all the things you hate in a hair.  So when I straight my hair it will take me about 30-45 minutes. But the good thing about it is that it will last a couple days like that.  Have oily hair?  Invest on a dry shampoo, it will be your best friend.  Also invest on a good flat iron, I have used from really cheap ones to really expensive ones and I have to say, just invest on a really good one, your hair will thank you.


5-Curly Hair: I know you are probably going to say; "Don't you have curly hair?"  I do, but it's a crazy curl.  I like to wash my hair at night and blow dry it.  Then in the morning I just have to curl it.  My hair holds the curl a lot better on second day hair.  Again, if you have oily hair, use dry shampoo before you curly it.  And there isn't a better feeling when you actually accomplish the hairstyle that you were looking for.  You feel like sending a selfie to everyone on your contact list...lol  Okay, maybe not everyone but I do send it to my husband hahaha


That's my favorites hairstyles, what is yours?  There are a lot more out there, ah I do love a messy bun, the messier the better...

I'm going to stop, because I could spend all day talking about hairstyles and post more pictures.  Do you want me to do another post like this?  Maybe for fall?

See you tomorrow with another back to school post...

XOXO,
Nelia