Oh Hey, Snow Day!

If you're in the path of the Snowpocalypse that is currently dumping a foot of the fluffy white stuff all over the city, then chances are you may have a snow day today.  This one came kind of as a surprise for me, since the talk of snow only hit the airwaves yesterday.  Normally around here, it's a huge buildup of anticipation for what could be, and then sheer disappointment.  Actually, disappointment may be the wrong word since snow days for me are far and few between since college.  Read - never.  That means I'm usually out there on the roads, getting to the office as usual.  But today, today will be a lazy day of epic proportions, complete with the following snow day activities.

1. PJs all day. 

2. Leftover sprinkles donuts.

3. Catching up on the backlog of shows on my DVR.

4. Friends marathon on Netflix.

5. Sipping hot tea.

6. A mid-afternoon nap.

7. Watching the snow fall outside of my window while curled up with a blanket.

8. No makeup.

9. Reading my favorite blogs.

10. Wishing for spring!

PS - no sledding for me.  I am perfectly content in my warm apartment.  If you do have to get out on the roads today, stay safe and warm!

What are your favorite snow day activities?

xoxo,

Amanda

January Favorites

I kind of failed at keeping up with my monthly favorites last year, but I am going to try my best to maintain the series this year.  Even during no-buy months like January, it will give me a chance to show some love for the products that may not have been on my radar for a while.  And even though my beauty routine was seriously lacking for the first half of the month, it feels so good to be back in the swing of things now.  Good thing too, because being out of practice when it comes to winged liner is no joke.

Revlon Privee Collection Lipstick - Julianne's Nude

Revlon lipsticks hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of being a little girl and playing with my grandmother's makeup, so when I saw this limited edition collection, I knew I had to pick up at least one.  The color is a perfect every day shade and I wore this a lot in January when I wanted a no-fuss routine.  I couldn't find this available online, but I've still seen this collection in stores so you still have a chance to snag one (or five).

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel

My past experiences with brow gel haven't been the greatest.  Think crispy and crunchy looking brows.  You shouldn't be able to describe something that frames your face the way you would fried chicken.  Now that I've stepped my brow game up by filling them in most days, I realized I needed a good gel to keep them in place.  There is a reason this brand takes the cake when it comes to achieving that perfect arch.  I don't have to worry about unruly hairs, but at the same time they don't look like they're plastered to my face.

Nars Highlight Powder - Albatross

This was one of those impulsive purchases I made back in November during the VIB sale.  I had intended to buy a different highlight powder, but much to my dismay, it was sold out in store.  I'm not really a fan of ordering online when it comes to makeup because I prefer the instant gratification of purchasing in person, so instead I meandered over to the Nars section and stumbled upon this beauty.  The color is absolutely gorgeous, and it gives your skin the most amazing glow without being too over the top.  I'm definitely glad I ended up with this in my basket!

Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Treatment

Something I'm really trying to get better about is taking care of my hair.  I've got the skincare routine down pat, but admittedly I can make shortcuts when it comes to hair products.  Since I don't wash my hair but once a week or so, that definitely cuts down on heat damage from blow drying and styling, but when I do those things, I want to protect my hair as much as possible.  I received this product as part of a deluxe sample bag a few months ago, and it's been so wonderful for my hair, leaving it softer than ever.  And with this being multipurpose, it knocks out everything in one.  If you can score a sample of this like I did, it will last you a long time.

Friends on Netflix

In the last couple weeks, I've gotten through 3+ seasons of this show and the whole time I've been asking myself why I never watched it before.  Ok, maybe it's because I was only 6 when it first came on, and those random reruns in syndication don't really count.  But really, why have I never thought to watch this before?!  I'm sure you're throwing the nearest object at your screen right now, as I'm sure I'm the only person on the planet who hasn't seen Friends.  For that reason, I don't have to tell you how awesome and funny it is, because you already know.  But just rest assured that I will be on your Friends level soon.

What are some of your favorites for January?

xoxo,

Amanda  

Currently Listening

As a follow-up to my

Currently Watching

post, I wanted to share what I am currently listening to.  For me, music is so much more than mindless TV (not that I don't love me some mindless, guilty pleasure TV shows).  I listen to music at my desk, when I work out (getting back into that routine now), in the car, around the apartment, it's an infinite list.  Oh, and I'm one of those people who still uses an iPod, a classic at that.  I just refuse to let my iPhone rule my life!  Ok, that may be a bit dramatic, but you get the point.  Heck, I'll still buy a physical CD here or there, much like I prefer a real planner over the calendar app on my phone.  I like to write, what can I say?  Now that we've gotten off topic, I'll just revert your attention back to the music.  Here are some of my current favorites.

Kacey Musgraves

I have loved Kacey's music since I first heard her song Merry Go Round.  When I found out she was opening for Katy Perry back in August, I quickly learned her whole album, because you know, I had to be able to sing along.  I seriously felt like my nine year old self, new Backstreet Boys cd in hand, sitting on the floor for hours listening to it on repeat until I had every word down.  Wait, you mean you didn't do that too?  But in all seriousness, the girl's got sass and is so fun to listen to if you need a little pick-me-up.

Ed Sheeran

I'm sure everyone has heard of this famous Brit, if not for any other reason than his connection to T Swift, but lately I've been loving his music.  It's a little more mellow, but there are some more upbeat songs, mainly the ones you've probably heard on the radio.  If I'm super stressed at work or just need something to help me relax, I can turn to this.  Occasionally I'll get a crazy look from a co-worker due to my

amazing

awkward singing at my desk, but I don't even care. 

Rock of Ages Soundtrack

Musical soundtracks are great for working out, car rides with your sister, or serious cleaning sessions.  This one is definitely my favorite for doing just that.  If I've got my music on shuffle and one of these songs comes on, it'll automatically put me a great mood.  Plus, the movie is equally as awesome, and one of the few that I can watch over and over again and not get tired of it.  Everyone needs some go-to fun music to get through boring tasks, like cleaning and working out.  This will make 30 minutes on the elliptical fly by!

What are you currently listening to?

xoxo,

Amanda

Currently Watching

This week, I've suddenly found myself with what seems like an endless list of shows to catch up on.  My recently neglected DVR has now gone into overdrive to capture all of the TV goodness, from the guiltiest of pleasures to the tearjerkers to the shows that make you go "hmmm."  To top it all off, I may have added a new show into the mix which I definitely did not need to do.  Here's a recap of what I'm currently watching when I'm not doing that thing called work (and don't worry, spoilers are not included).

Revenge

This show has taken a huge 180 since the first season, and everything is really starting to come full circle.  Maybe that makes it a 360?  Regardless, Emily Thorne is a bad ass chick out to seek major vengeance against those who have done her and her father wrong.  She's a socialite with a wardrobe that would make Carrie Bradshaw gasp and I absolutely love her style.  If you're looking for something new to binge on Netflix, I highly recommend this one since it's a good mix of action and drama, with a love triangle to tie it all together.

New Girl

By now, you must know that my obsession with Zooey Deschanel and her fabulous bangs is very real, so I will take full advantage of any chance I get to watch her.  Her character's quirky one liners, along with those of pretty much all the roommates, make me laugh out loud even in a room by myself.  She's also got a wardrobe I would kill to have, though it is completely different than that of Emily.  If you are in need of some cheering up or just a good laugh, this show will do the trick.

Parenthood

I am so sad that I only have four episodes of this left until it's gone forever, and I am equally as glad that I decided to binge-watch this show to catch up to the current season.  If you need a good cry or just want to get in touch with your emotions, Parenthood will definitely do that for you.  It's not all sap though.  There are just as many comedic moments that will lift your spirits.  Such an emotional roller coaster, but so worth the ride.

Pretty Little Liars

Oh hey, this is another product of my binging abilities.  Four seasons over a couple months span?  That's a new record folks.  I have to say, I'm ready to find out who A is already, as I'm sure we all are.  But yet, I keep watching religiously.  This show has a lot of suspense, even for ABC Family, and I'm certainly not ashamed to admit that I sometimes feel uneasy in my apartment when I turn out the lights to go to bed after watching.

The Bachelor

I have never ever ever watched a season of The Bachelor.  Ever.  But Monday evening, I turned on the TV and started cooking dinner.  The TV just so happened to be on this channel already, and due to my impeccable timing this show just so happened to be coming on.  I thought to myself, what the hell, and soon enough I was sucked in faster than I could blink an eye.  It doesn't hurt that I get to look at farmer Chris for two hours, albeit around all that big hair and crazy.  I have a feeling this will be my new guilty pleasure.

What are some of your favorite shows right now?

xoxo,

Amanda

No-Buy Month ... Round Two

Now that the holidays are over and things are (not willingly) getting back to normal, I wanted to start this year off with a clean slate.  I spent my New Year's Day doing a little lounging and a whole lot of cleaning.  I pulled a lot of pieces from my closet to get rid of and make room for the new goodies from Christmas, and it felt so good to avoid the cluttered mess I'm usually left with this time of year.  Because the next couple of weeks are going to be incredibly busy for me at work, this was really my only free day to get this done and kick off the month right.  I'm not going to lie, I totally still have my Christmas decorations up, though, and they're going to stay that way until at least the middle of the month.  This is the only time I allow myself to be a couch potato in the evenings, and you would too if you were working these hours.

Last year, before I had started the blog, I did a no-buy month for January.  Let's face it, who really

needs

to go shopping for more stuff right after you receive a bunch of gifts?  Plus, the crazy work hours make it easy for me to avoid the mall, although I have been bitten by the online shopping bug recently so that might make for a bit of a challenge this go around.  I also don't want to blow through any gift cards or money I may have received as gifts, even though the stores don't make it easy.  Since when did everyone do a semi-annual sale in January?  Ugh!  I really want to save more and spend less this year, so what better way than completely cutting myself off?  Am I right, or am I right?  I'm talking everything from beauty products to clothes, but not the necessities of course.  We can't get carried away now.     

So that brings me here, to the decision to embark on another no-buy month for January.  Instead of worrying about shopping and scoring the latest deal, I am excited to focus more on meaningful content for the blog, spend more time with friends and family and even start back on an exercise routine!  Hooray for the gym at my apartments finally being completed!  I've also got a few new ideas up my sleeve, but you'll just have to wait for those ;)

Here's to a month of saving!  Are you planning on trying a no-buy month to kick off 2015?

PS - A trip to the salon is definitely in my near future.  Can you say roots for days?  Not pretty.  I'm thinking about changing things up a bit when it comes to my hair color, but then again maybe I just like the

idea

of change.  I guess we will have to wait to and see how I feel on the day when I walk through the salon doors.

xoxo,

Amanda