STANDARD MIX

Monday, July 21, 2014

Weekend Update

Pack. Clean. Organize. Pack. Spackle. Paint. Pack.

Oh, and sell nearly all our furniture. Bare bones remain...

A few things still need packed

We sold our couch and chairs yesterday. The spare bed is now in our living room.

Here are a few of my favorite things that I couldn't part with...

I loved our master bedroom. This was our first house as a married couple and this room was full of newlywed pieces.

I'm obsessed with my oversized leaning mirror. I got it shortly after we were married from my in-laws.

Refinishing this dresser was our first newlywed project. Now it's our favorite piece of furniture.

A few floating shelves I had in our dining room. I still love our engagement photos.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Now that I'm finished with school I have loads of free time to ponder what I want to do with my life. Brady and I are constantly adding new things to our life to-do list. I thought I would share a few with hopes it will spur us into action.

1. Learn to sail

2. Speak French fluently... then move to Paris :)

3. Attend a large music festival

Coldplay, One Direction, The 1975... this one would have been perfect

4. Create something useful for society

5. Learn to drive stick shift

6. Complete RAGBRAI

The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa for those unfamiliar

7. Sky dive

8. Backpack through Europe

9. Run a half-marathon

Great Wall of China Marathon would suffice

10. Witness something truly breathtaking

Thursday, July 17, 2014

YouTube Beauty Channels

This past year I have become obsessed with watching YouTube beauty videos. It's what I look forward to most throughout my day (sad, I know). This is where I get the majority of my beauty product recommendations and also pick up a few makeup tips & tricks.

Here are my favorite YouTube beauty channels...

1 | missglamorazzi

Ingrid has amazing recommendations! She also has oily skin, so when she suggests a base product I know it will work for me too. She has branched out in more recent videos to include party ideas, decor, recipes, etc. She is happy-go-lucky and will leave you laughing throughout her videos.

Inspired purchases: Nyx Lip Gloss (Beige), First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream, NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

2 | Fleur DeForce

Fleur has really stayed true to her beauty channel. It consists of monthly favorites, tutorials, hauls, and a few fashion inclusions. She has a separate cooking channel and vlog channel, which I really like because I'm not interested in cooking (as Brady well knows) and I would rather avoid the cooking stressfulness altogether.

Inspired purchases: L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Perfume, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

3 | Amelia Liana

Amelia was featured in my June favorites because she is so relatable. Her beauty video are great, but I also really enjoy her day-to-day vlogs. She has the most incredible style. I am extremely envious of her closet and I think she would be the most amazing shopping buddy.

Inspired purchases: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, See by Chloe Perfume, Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash Hairbrush

4 | Lisa Eldridge

Lisa is a professional makeup artist. She is quite famous and has done the makeup for major celebrities. Her tutorials are either done on herself or she will have guest models, which is great to see a variety of looks on many different skin tones, eye colors, etc. She recently did a tutorial with Alexa Chung, which I have watched repeatedly.

Inspired purchases: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, Clinique Airbrush Concealer, Maybelline Super Stay 14Hr Lipstick

5 | MakeupByTiffanyD

Tiffany has some of the best tutorials. I try her base product recommendations with hopes that it will make my skin look like hers (no luck). Her eye tutorials are also top-notch. If you need help with a smokey eye or winged liner then she's your girl.

Inspired purchases: Make Up Forever Mat Velvet + Foundation, Buxom Full-On Lip Polish, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

6 | essiebutton

Estee is hilarious and her videos are so much fun to watch. She is from Canada, but lives in England so I'm vicariously living my expat dreams through her. Her recommendations leave me running for Sephora and she seems to have this effect on the masses.

Inspired purchases: Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation, The Body Shop Body Butter, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Favorite Makeup Look {Special Occasion}

1 | NYX Lip Gloss (Beige) is my go-to for any occasion. It's a smooth, lightweight consistency with a great color payoff.

2 | NARS Blush (Orgasm) still can't be beat. It goes with every look and flatters every skin tone. This is the only blush that I've had to repurchase.

3 | Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation provides light coverage that can be built up without feeling heavy on your skin.

4 | NARS Bronzing Powder (Laguna) is a cult product for a reason. NARS can do no wrong with bronzer. The only downside is that it starts to crumble once you hit pan.

5 | NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (Custard) is worth all the hype. It covers everything without turning dry and flaky.

6 | Clinique Airbrush Concealer (Fair) covers under eye circles, but keeps it looking natural. It was a Lisa Eldridge inspired purchase, like so many others.

7 | NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is absolute perfection on my oily eyelids. I also really like that it's not tinted like some other shadow primers.

8 | Lorac Unzipped Palette has the same warm tones as the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, but a much slimmer and compact package.

9 | Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer has my makeup lasting all day. I only use it for special occasions, so it has lasted forever.

10 | NYX Retractable Eyeliner (Bronze) is a smooth, creamy consistency making it my absolute favorite. Plus, you can't beat the price!

11 | Benefit They're Real! Mascara has really grown on me. I had to let it dry out for a few weeks, but now it's one of my favorites.

12 | Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray is a godsend for us gals with oily skin. I would be frantic if I forgot to spray this before a night out.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Trend: Birkenstocks

I'm a fan of everything from the 90's...except my haircut (I'll spare you all the bowl cut glamour). So the Birkenstock comeback is right up my alley. I love this laid-back, effortless look. Plus, they go with everything... jeans, shorts, skirts, dress.

There are so many different styles and colors that are sure to fit everyone's personal style.

Here are some of my favorites looks...

And here is my look...

Birkenstock | Arizona Zinfandel Oiled Leather

Skort | Tinley Road Ponte

Tee | CHRLDR Tres Bien T-Shirt

Clutch | TopShop Floral Saffiano Zip Pouch

Necklace | Gorjana Aurora Large Necklace

Sunnies | Wildfox Club Fox Deluxe Sunglasses

Monday, July 14, 2014

Weekend Update

Brady and I are moving in 2 weeks, so I spent Friday cleaning and organizing while listening to Habits (Stay High) by Tove Lo on repeat.

The entire album is gold.

I have a lot of clothes ready for the consignment shop and Goodwill.

I went to Target for just a few groceries and ended up with loads of sweets. Brady needs to take over this chore again.

Saturday I made the 2 hour trek back to Boone and spent the afternoon with my parents and Bella.

My summer uniform

Brady drove from Big Sky to Boone (19 hours!) with his mom and brothers. I picked him up in Boone around 11PM and we continued on to North Liberty... it was a late night.

Sunday, we continued with the cleaning/organizing, but made time to catch the World Cup Final. We also hit the gym and went for a walk.