The Price of Beauty

Too Faced Cosmetics / Rimmel / L Oréal / Laura Mercier /  Garnier /  Anastasia / Stila / Benefit / Fresh/ 

How much money do we really fork out for that "perfect face?" Apparently, if you're like me, quite a lot of money. $212 to be exact. Yowza. But it's so worth it, right? Here's what I need in my life to create my everyday look:

• Too Faced Cosmetics Primed and Poreless foundation primer
• Rimmel London Natural Bronzer pressed powder
• L'Oreal True Match foundation loose powder
• Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller sheer concealer
• Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz brow liner
• Stila liquid eyeliner pen
• Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow brow filler
• Fresh Sugar Rose lip balm tint

Need? Probably not. According to my first grade students, for something to be a "need," you would die if you didn't have it. So no, these are not technically "needs" BUT they are extremely necessary wants…

What is your price of beauty?

We All Go Through Hard Times...

There's nothing worse than an unexpected heartache, whether it's caused by a relationship, a death, hardships at work, or personal tragedy. What is important, however, is how we handle that grief and how we come down from the ledge. I'm no newcomer to the heartbreak hotel, so I've compiled the 10 best ways I've dealt with grief in the hopes that someday, someone will be able to use this to move on and be strong. There's always hope, there's always resources, and there will always be people out there to turn to when you can't be strong on your own. 

1. Cry. I know this seems self-explanatory, but many people will skip this stage because it's easier to be numb to emotions than accept how hurt you are. Science tells us that crying actually helps us to release emotions, evaluate our mood, and lower stress. So go ahead, grab that kleenex box, and have a good cry. Just not forever...


2. Get out of the house. I have a tendency to cry in bed, surrounded by kleenex and pillows until a friend calls me because I haven't been seen in a few days. Not the healthiest way to process grief. Getting out of the house, going for a walk, changing scenery can provide a healthy and necessary distraction.


3. Cook. The smell of baked goods will definitely elevate your mood, not to mention those gooey chocolate chip cookies will make your heart soar.


4. Write. Something that has gotten me through the worst heartache has always been writing. Not online, although blogging is also therapeutic, but make a journal. Write your thoughts, feelings, questions down where nobody ever has to see them but you.


5. Call up your friends. I've always been one to not want to burden my friends with my problems, but that's what they're there for. I could not have gotten through the hard times without my best girlfriends.


6. Exercise. No really. Don't roll your eyes at me! Exercising, even if it's taking a short walk as the sun sets, or going for a quick bike ride to the store, can significantly elevate your mood. Not to mention it's a great way to burn off some calories and keep in shape!


7. Binge watch a new show. Something interesting that will keep you distracted, like my new obsession Ru Paul's Drag Race. Those ladies are hilarious and stylish, a great combat for heartbreak.


8. Play with your fur baby. My dog makes me smile and laugh more than anything in the world. If you don't have a pet, go to the pet store and just look at them, maybe play with one if you're considering buying one! Pets are a big responsibility, so in no way am I saying go get a pet just because you're grieving, but if you have one, they're great company for the tough times in life.


9. Clean and redecorate. My room has never looked cleaner than when I was heartbroken! I just bought new clutter-free black satin hangers for my closet and I can't wait to see how clean it'll look just with that one simple change.


10. Look up "strength quotes".  Pinterest has some of the greatest motivational and inspirational quotes. In my journal, I'll doodle and "fancy write" these quotes so I can have something to look back on when I need the pep talk. 

Above all else, remember that the sadness will not last forever, and that you are always stronger than you know. 

The Scent of Spring

All I can think of when Spring comes around is the phenomenal quote from Meryl Streep's character, Ms. Miranda Priestly...

But hey, who's judging?! A few days ago, I was evaluating my perfume and rollerball obsession collection, and picked up a new scent for Spring at Sephora. Here are my top Spring perfumes!

* Elizabeth and James Nirvana White

With notes of peony, muguet, and tender musk, this perfume by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen is the perfect embodiment of Spring - feminine, chic, with a little rebellious kick. Although it's a little heavy for my everyday wear, I will definitely be using this baby for Sunday brunch gatherings and a day out with my girls.

* Tory Burch 

I'll admit, I was first drawn in by the design on the rollerball tube. It's so fun and flirty, perfect for Spring. Tory Burch's first fragrance combines the floral chicness of peony and tuberose with crisp citrusy punches of grapefruit and neroli. It's classic, it's floral, it's just enough princess and punk for every day. Not too girly, not too heavy. A Spring classic for sure!

* Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

I picked this baby up in Sephora as a suggestion from a good friend of mine. I was a little skeptical at first, but I must say she knows me well! Flowerbomb is a deep flirty floral scent, combining notes of jasmine, rose, orchid, freesia, and patchouli. This will definitely be a contender for my every day perfume!

I absolutely love how portable and cute rollerballs are, and they give you a great sample of the perfume before you make an investment in the whole shebang. I can't wait to see what other scents of Spring will pop up during the season!

Spring 2015 Nail Trends

Dolce & Gabbana | Essie | Butter London | ORLY | OPI | NYX | Topshop

After consulting the nail polish forecast, I've narrowed down the wide range of Spring 2015 trends to encompass the ones I found most intriguing, daring, posh, and classic. I can't wait to try out some all of these different trends (let's be real, I have a polish problem).

To sum it up, here are the main polish categories in the Spring 2015 Nail Polish Trend:

• Fiery Pink
• Sea Foam Green and Teal
• Metallic Navy
• Blush Pink
• Electric Lilac
• Opaque Gray
• Citrusy Brights

Whatever your taste may be, seems like Spring 2015 has a little color for everyone!

Favorites Friday: 5 Favorite Pins

Another week closer to Spring Break!!! *cue angels singing, release the doves, turn up the weekend jams...* Here's my weekly roundup of Favorite Links - this week, my 5 favorite pins that got me through the week - teacher, inspirational, foodie, fashion, and a DIY surprise for your weekend. Enjoy!

* Favorite Teacher Pin
From MiddleWeb, this infograpic on 10 ways to sabotage your classroom was hilarious, and informational.

*Favorite Inspirational Pin
In times of self-doubt, this motivational printable will definitely come in handy!

*Favorite Foodie Pin

Not sure about the low-cal properties of this bad boy, but chicken parmesan meatloaf "muffins" sounds like a great make-ahead weeknight dinner idea to me!

*Favorite Beauty Pin

Every time I see an article titled "beauty hacks that will change your life," I'll admit that I fall for the tagline without fail. Every time! POP SUGAR is a site I unabashedly love, so their New York Fashion Week beauty hacks article was one I couldn't miss!

*Favorite DIY Pin

From Lemonade Makin' Mama, this arrow jewelry holder is so cute and perfect for the trendiest rooms - class it up or make it for your hipster haven, this DIY jewelry holder is one I know I'll be making soon!

Have a great pin-spired weekend! One week closer to a week of relaxation and adventure...or maybe just a little more sleep. Let's set realistic goals.

Style Stalking: The Modern Gal's Fashion Exploration Guide

While living in Portland (and Hawaii) there have been countless times when I spot a person walking down the street and say to myself, "damn, if only I could pull off that look!" Mixing different prints? Dressing a little more "ladylike" but still having that cheeky punch? If you've ever felt that way, look no further - Refinery29's book Style Stalking, by R29's founding partners Christene Barberich and Piera Gelardi, has it all. I'm serious - from brights and layering, to tomboy and the ever-elusive "ugly pretty", this book is the modern woman's fashion exploration (and dare-filled) guide book.

My favorite parts:

• The basic layout of the book - simplistic, easy to read, but so stylish and colorful
• The fashion category range - from #basic to BOLD, any style you could dream of trying is in this bad boy of a book
• The inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout the book
• "1 Piece, 3 Ways" - each style chapter pinpoints one piece of clothing within that specific style, and shows you three different ways to rock the sh*t out of it!
• "Basic Training" - if there is a style you're itching to try out but don't know where to start, the beginning of each style chapter is a perfect jump point

A little fashion breakdown, from the back cover:

Get set to build your best ever wardrobe featuring the hardest-working looks from around the globe with Refinery29—the world’s leading style destination—as their editors break down the essentials of the everyday chic, straight from the street.
What transforms a look from on-trend to trendsetting? Editor-in-Chief Christene Barberich and Executive Creative Director Piera Gelardi deconstruct their favorite outfits to reveal what trailblazing looks like on the real-life fashion front, including:

• HOW TO WEAR modern metallics, mixed prints, everyday ladylike, tomboy chic, lots of layers, and more.

• CLEVER TIPS such as wearing one piece in three fresh ways, building blocks for discovering your own signature style, and updating your closet each season.

• AND A ZOOM LENS on all the details and accessories that totally make the look.

Featuring the fashion world’s coolest tastemakers, designers, stylists, and editors, these fearless iconoclasts challenge conventions and inspire a whole new generation of women to dress for themselves and discover their true inner style stars...just like YOU.

ALL IN ALL,
I'd give this book a 4 out of 5 stars - I would've loved to see a few more photo examples, or have a few more tips of how to incorporate each style into my daily life without looking like I'm trying too hard, but overall I think this book is FAB for giving me a starting point of how to change my wardrobe to fit my personality. Like Christene Barberich said,

"You only live once so why not just go for it?"

Disclosure: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

We've Been In School For How Long?!

7 months, if you're wondering! Public school in Hawaii starts in the end of July, so we've been in school for quite some time. Ask me how ready for Spring Break I am. Go, I dare you.

*LISTENING to the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack. Not that great of a movie, but the soundtrack? Phenomenal. The Weeknd, Ellie Goulding, Sia, Beyonce?! Sign me up!

*LOVING that there's only 2 WEEKS UNTIL SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!! I'm not excited at all. Nope.

*THINKING about all of the laundry I have to do tonight. Ick. 

*WANTING my grad school paper to write itself! We have to write a paper on a topic related to motivation, so I chose to write and research about the impact of rewards on student motivation in the elementary classroom in relation to reading. Yikes.

*NEEDING more sleep! I feel like February was done before I blinked, and I had way too many meetings, thanks to last-minute SPED referrals. March isn't too busy with meetings, but I am not looking forward to April!

*SPRING BREAK will be a chance for me to sleep, get some sun at the beach, relax with my friends, and do it all over again for a whole 9 DAYS YIPPEE!!!

Thanks Farley for hosting this monthly link-up! 

Sculpting The Body You Want

Whether you're hitting the gym, keeping up with those kickboxing classes, getting your #werkout on at Zumba, or going on relaxing walks around your neighborhood, here's some more ideas for you to increase your workout mojo, get your heart pumping, and burn those calories to tone and sculpt your body to make you feel good (and look good, too)!

• Be proud of your "thunder thighs" with these awesome inner thigh workouts
• Use the dreaded treadmill to build those butt muscles from flab to fab
• Women tend to forget their back when working out - no more! Bye bye, back fat!
• Hate lunges and squats? Here are 6 other amazing leg exercises!
• Last but not least, listen to these 10 power songs to finish that amazing workout. You go, girl!