let's talk facial cleansers

I have a love/hate relationship with my skin. Some days it's "wow! my skin feels great" and other days it's "I need a face mask, stat". I have been experimenting with different cleansers over the past month so I wanted to make an update post about which cleansers I have liked! My skin type you ask? Combination. Oily. and Dry. Not so fun! But over the years I have tried to manage my skin the best I can. These are some cleansers I recommend trying if you have a similar skin type!

1. Boscia Konjac Sponge ($15).....have you heard of this yet? You might hear about this amazing sponge in the weeks to come because this product is a new era of face brushes/tools. I can not afford a fancy Clarisonic because it is not in my budget, (plus I am skeptical to try it because my skin is sensitive...if you use the Clarisonic please tell me if you like it!) but I am thrilled to have discovered the magic of this Boscia Sponge! At $15 (get it here), it is way less than the Clarisonic and is deinitely a step up from washing your face with your hands. I have the charcoal one which is great for oily skin types! The sponge is soft and works the cleansers to form a nice lather which is something I need to feel like I am getting all the dirt out of my face. I have already repurchased this!

2.The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash....I talked about this product before and I still love it. The creamy lather feels great on my skin and I think it does a great job getting rid of the makeup and oils. The Body Shop is a great brand that I keep repurchasing items from! It is $12 (get it here) from the Body Shop.

3. Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser...this is a new brand and product for me! I received a sample of this when I visited my local Kiehl's. This cleanser has tiny exfoliating beads in it and is a clay-like texture. I like massaging this into my skin. It also smells nice! At $22 (get it here) , it is slightly over my usual budget for skin care but I did like how it was both a cleanser and exfoliator, so it is like 2 products in one!

4. Tea Tree Cleansing Facial Wash....this is definitely one of my top favorite cleansers. I use this all the time, day and night! This is a cleanser that will make your skin feel sooo fresh and clean! I have never used a product that has done that before! I also love the Tea Tree oil that is in this product. It has antibacterial properties (great for acne) and disinfects pores! It apparently works just as well as benzoyl peroxide. $11! So worth it!

5. Glam Glow Supercleanse Cleanser...this is the most expensive out of the cleansers. $39 is pricely, but this product has made great results for my skin. The concept behind this product is that it turns from a mud to a foaming cleanser. It has a lot of natural ingredients (charcoal, Mediterranean clays, black cumin seed extract) that help reduce skin problems and enhance your skin's clarity. 4.4 out of 5 stars on Sephora.com! I already love the Glam Glow masks, (like this one!) and now this product is another favorite.

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Do you have a favorite cleanser I should try? Let me know in the comments!

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Tea Tuesday #1

Today is Tea Tuesday on the blog! 

I am going to make this a new regular type of post where I discuss my favorite teas. Since I love drinking tea so much, I wanted to share a few tips and reasons for drinking it. I might switch the format of these posts up every so often! Maybe one week I will do a Q&A, and another week I will solely talk about one tea brand. 

The benefits of drinking tea are so amazing. I started my tea obsession about two years ago when I first discovered the Starbucks chain carried some delicious green, black, passion fruit, and herbal teas. The fact that tea can be so tasty and ALSO have tons of health benefits is incredible to think about! There are so many flavors of tea, from chocolate, to chai, to peppermint, I truly think you can find a tea that fits your liking after some tests.

For today's first introductory post, I am going to share the top health benefits tea can give you!

Here is my very own chart of the health benefits I discovered via Pinterest that uses sources such as the American Cancer Society, Tea Council of the USA, and other informative websites that research these benefits.

Do you drink tea? Tell me your favorites in the comments! I'd love to see readers share!

graphic tee & leather vest

Top: American Eagle // Vest: Forever 21 //
Skirt: Forever 21 (similar $15) // Boots: Target (on sale!)

This look features a faux leather vest that I've had in my closet forever! I always wanted to style it but never knew how...I went on my Pinterest page and finally decided to pair it with a graphic t-shirt from American Eagle  ($10) that I recently bought during their 60% off clearance sale. The saying is too cute! A whole latte love. The leather material and t-shirt look almost out of place together, but I think the simplicity of the tee shirt is makes the vest look less tough and more girly. The flippy skirt is also black and this one is on sale for $15! If you haven't been to Target lately, you need to stop in. All the boots are on sale right now! Most are 30% off including these that I love so much. They are now only $17. Combat boots are a great way to make an outfit look edgy while also comfortably walking places. I hope this outfit gives you some inspiration try mix up your wardrobe ideas to try pairing edgy and girly pieces!

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spring wishlist #1

I thought I would share some of my spring wishlist items today! In the photo set above you can see some jewelry, coats, and makeup products that I am lusting over. If you want more details on where to purchase each item just click the picture!

The Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Gel is a new product for the company. It has SPF 30, and is a hydrating tinted moisturizer. How cool!? I love this brand so much. I've worn bareminerals since middle school and is a an outstanding company because they make products without harmful ingredients like parabens and silicon. Tarte is a brand I have not tried any products from but I would love to test out their lipsticks! I've heard great things so I might pick up this kit one day.The Urban Decay Skin Foundation is supposed to be really good, too. It is a lightweight and illuminating product that has buildable coverage. A few Target picks I found were this stunning chain bracelet and casual sweatpants. I also want to try a fur vest, but I need to find one on sale! These Forever 21 coats are on my radar. I love camel and khaki colors and I really want a long coat! I also love blush colors and this coat would be perfect. I guess I need to start saving now!

What are some of your spring wishlist items? Let me know in the comments below!

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dreaming of spring

Top: J.Crew // Skirt: American Eagle (similar)

Cardigan: Hollister (similar $8) // 

I had so much fun shooting this outfit! I went to a nearby lake late in the evening so these photos were taken just as the sun was setting. The Hollister cardigan I am wearing was on sale for $11! I love the fringe details and how it has an intricate pattern. My hat is from a thrift shop but you can find similar ones below! My American Eagle skirt is an old favorite and so is my J.Crew tank top.
Make sure to keep updated by following me on social media! I am participating in a giveaway soon! Very exciting!

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faux leather winter outfit

Jacket: Similar // Top: Forever 21 // Scarf: APT (exact) //

Leggings: Target

Here is today's outfit! I went shopping new a new mall down in Sarasota. I like to wear pieces that are great for trying on other clothes with. Simple black and white separates work well for this! I am living in my Forever 21 basic white long sleeve..so comfy and works great for adding a scarf like this teal one ($15!). I checked out some great deals at H&M, Forever 21, American Eagle, GAP, and Sephora tonight. Of my purchases, I picked up a new Glam Glow cleanser which I am excited to try! Have a great rest of your weekend!

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new sale alerts

This week a lot of retailers have started new sales! I wanted to fill you in on which ones seem to be the most promising and worth the trip out in the cold (depending on where you live!). January is a time when fall merchandise needs to be cleared out and room is made for the spring collections. 

1. J.Crew is having an additional 50% off items online

These Foundry shorts I own are on sale! They are a great army green short that will be an essential wardrobe piece if you love the J.Crew look. This drop waist skirt is on sale from $80 down to $24!

Bathing suits at J.Crew are well-made and now they are on sale for $20. I especially love this navy one. The Favorite tanks are a staple in my closet and they are also on sale this week!

2. Ann Taylor Loft is having an additional 60% off online

LOFT has easily become one of my favorite stores over the past year. The quality of their clothes is exceptional. I am moving past my familiar Forever 21 cottons for LOFT's luxurious yet affordable Lou&Grey collection as I get older. The extra 60% off sale they have will make my wallet hurt because I need to snag as much Lou&Grey as I can! This grey flippy skirt is so fun! I need to get this Lou&Grey Microstripe Linen dress at just $15. 

3. H&M is having an amazing deal where 1000 styles will be under $10

An except to this sale is this wool-blended coat for $30, but it is such a bargain down from $80! Some $10 favorites include this Beaded Sweatshirt  (remember the J.Crew ones?), this black Lace Long-Sleeve, and this Ribbed Jersey Tank Dress.  

4. Forever 21  when F21 has its extra 30% off sale, I must see what they have. I have scored some great pieces in the past because of this sale! Some items that caught my eye are this Boxy Textured shirt (so simple, yet a powerful piece), this Strappy Cami dress that will be great in the warmer months. 

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product review: real techniques makeup brush

An update on what I use to apply my makeup! These brushes are fantastic. I've always purchased the cheapest brushes because I thought I was saving money and doing the right thing. Until now, when I've been missing out on another alternative to expensive makeup brushes! 

These real Techniques makeup brushes come in "core collections" or are sold individually. I purchased my own core collection at Ulta last week. Just a little insight into my purchase-I like to use products for a good week or two before I blog about them! I own the 'fan fave' collection that includes the following brushes: The detailer brush, the pointed foundation brush, the buffing brush, the contour brush. They retail for $17, and with my coupon from the app Retail Me Not, I received additional $3.50 off! Amazon has a great deal right now where they are on sale for $13!

PROS: easy to use, versatile, applies product generously, soft bristles, easy to clean, creates even layer of product, easy to hold and use, streak free, compact bristles, travels well. 

CONS: not as inexpensive as E.L.F brushes, brushes need to be washed often. 

Overall, these brushes don't have too many negative remarks in my opinion. They are seriously great for everyday use! I use the foundation brush for my liquid foundation (this Revlon foundation mixed with this Rimmel foundation is my latest everyday favorite), I use the buffing brush for my powder (I am loving this Maybelline powder), and I use the detailer for lipstick application. 

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best dressed at the golden globes

Photo credit: EOnline

Last night was the 2015 Golden Globe Awards! Out of all of the beautiful looks, I chose Anna Kendrick's Monique Lhuillier dress as my favorite. The light pink blush color works so nicely against her skin tone. I love the small beaded details that are delicately placed on the tulle and bodice. Her plum accents in the form of a berry lipstick and rhinestone drop earrings elegantly matched this gorgeous dress. As for her makeup, she favors the Laura Mercier line. Some products she may be wearing include the Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer, this Laura Mercier Illuminating blush, and some of her favorite Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer. I love the dramatic blush on her cheeks! It adds some great color to her porcelain skin and a girly flush that fits this floor-length gown fit for a princess (did you see her in Into the Woods as Cinderella? She was great!)

Did you happen to catch the awards show? Tell me your favorite look(s) of the night!

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winter navy & sweater dress

 Dress: LOFT (similar) // Coat: Forever 21 (similar) // 

Necklace: NY&Company (similar)

Tights: Old Navy // Hat: Aeropostale 

Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Photos by Jessica

This past weekend was my best friend's 21st birthday! We went out to dinner on Friday night and out to brunch today (see another view of my outfit on my Instagram). I love this navy coat from Forever 21. I bought it when Forever 21 was doing an extra 30% off coats during the winter! I can wear it with so many clothes that I own because it is slightly larger than my frame. My Lou & Grey dress is from LOFT. It has a navy and grey knitted pattern and hits just above my knees. With my Old Navy navy blue tights and favorite go-to Old Navy black loafers, I completed my outfit for Saturday. Have a fantastic weekend and make sure to follow me on my social media accounts for more!

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back to school: spring semester first day look

Top: J.Crew Factory // Jeans: Target 

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here) // Hat: Forever 21 (similar)

Today was my first day back to school for the Spring semester!! It is chilly now, so I can finally wear my new J.Crew long sleeve top from Christmas! I love the softness of this J.Crew basic. It is comfortable to keep me warm all day while I'm in classes. The olive green is super pretty and I think it compliments my hair really nicely. This top is the "Perfect Fit" that runs for about $26.00 online, but over the holidays it was an extra 40% off! I paired it with my gold accessories, like this tassel necklace from Forever 21. This one here is very similar, and is priced at only $4.80! Since it was about 36 degrees outside, I wore my new Forever 21 beanie in a light brown knitted fabric. This one is going for less than $9, also from Forever 21.

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