travel

Pink at the Palace of Versailles

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Paris might be the most magical place in the world. With the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the moonlight, champagne and macarons served with every meal and of course the pink marbled walls of the Palace of Versailles, what’s not to love? We’ve seen quite a few castles in our travels around Europe and the Palace of Versailles is by far the grandest we’ve laid eyes on!

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The grounds were absolutely massive! We spent the whole day wandering around taking pictures and admiring the views. We even got lost at one point! The landscaping was done impeccably, with every swirl and shape perfectly trimmed and ready for a photo op! I love picturing French royalty walking out on their terrace and taking in this view every morning. It was completely breathtaking!

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We were not only shocked by the sheer size of the palace, but also by the whole “campus” of Versailles. There were restaurants and cafes (with wifi!), bicycles and boats to rent out and even tourists driving around in golf carts! If you have good eyes you might even be able to spot a couple in my pictures. We spent the whole day exploring, but you could easily spend a week or more at the palace without getting bored! Check out my pictures and share your favorite traveling memories in the comments below!

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shop my Palace of Versailles look:

Pink Textured Sweater ($20) / Tan Leather Jacket- similar here ($197) / Black Fringe Trim Mini Skirt (on sale for $20!) / Black Floppy Hat ($28) / Suede Booties- similar here ($98) / Coach Crossbody ($175) / Statement Necklace ($26) / Heart Sunglasses ($12)

March Birchbox Review 2015

Birchbox was the first subscription service I signed up for and quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually still great for all my travels! Check out my March Birchbox Review below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast! 

Below is my review of my March Birchbox- the creativity birchbox:

march birchbox review 2015

Whish Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream)
Mirenesse Glossy Kiss
ORIGINS Smarty Plants™ CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Heat Protect Spray

Have all my dreams come true? Is there really a product out there that can slow my hair growth between shaves? I received the Whish Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel in my box this month and assumed it was like the other Whish shave gels I have received in the past, but I was wrong! This is an after shave gel that is supposed to not only hydrate your skin but slow hair growth. Like I mentioned before, it’s a gel (not a lotion) so I expected it to be a little sticky. To my surprise, it actually went on smooth and absorbed super quick. They also offer a ton of scents, I received pomegranate, which was simply yummy! I’m not sure if I’ve noticed a difference in my hair growth since I started using it, but it’s worth a try right?

Next to be reviewed is the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (24-Hour Miracle Cream). Talk about versatility, this cream does it all! I used it both as a makeup remover and a makeup primer- I think it worked great as both! It also left my skin feeling amazing! I was a little disappointed with the tiny sample and the price of the full size bottle. It will be great for traveling, but a little expensive in my opinion for a makeup remover.

Time for a fun one, Mirenesse Glossy Kiss! I love this lip gloss! I goes on so smooth and leaves my lips feeling super soft! It’s so creamy and a great cross between lipstick and gloss. It also has an amazing gold shimmer to it that makes my lips look plump and full. I love the texture of this gloss and will definitely will be investing in other colors of this Mirenesse Glossy Kiss!

Up next is the ORIGINS Smarty Plants™ CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector. I’ve gotten quite a few CC creams in my past birchbox deliveries. This one has a great, lightweight texture to it and it just glides on the face. It has a very faint tint to the cream and leaves the skin looking a little shiny and almost pearlescent. I followed this CC cream with some powder to tone down the shine, but besides that it’s a great cream. The only other drawback I found was the smell. I found the earthy scent to be a little off-putting for a face product.

Lastly, I’m wrapping up this month’s reviews with the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Heat Protect Spray. I have to admit something guys, I am a sucker for heat protecting sprays. If you have long hair I think it’s important to protect it as much as possible. I have a protecting spray that I currently use (and love), but I found this one to work great as well! After straightening my hair, it left my hair looking shiny and smooth and smells better than a lot of the other sprays out there! I would recommend this to anyone in the market for a heat protecting spray.

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, February Birchbox | 2015 or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

Spring Getaway Guide- Under $30

Although I no longer have an official spring break, my calendar is always packed with weekend getaways. Between my trips to the beach, wine country and Southern California, I’ve been packing for the sunshine a lot lately. And after all this practice, I’ve got it down to a science! That’s why I pulled together today’s spring getaway guide.

My spring getaway guide has a definite beach vibe- featuring tassels, fringe, lace and more! My vacation looks are always about staying casual and effortless. I believe you should be able to go comfortably from poolside to town without a major wardrobe change. And lucky for you my picks below help you do just that!

Packing for a trip is all about the staples. Bring a statement hat, sunglasses and a great cover-up and you are already half-way there! Now, just add a few swimsuits and your favorite shoes in a beach bag and you are good to go! (Make sure you check out my spring shoe trends post for more amazing deals on shoes!) As long as you stick to more neutral items, your outfitting will be a breeze no matter where you are.

Versatility is key, but my favorite part about this collection is the price tag! Each of these items can be found for under $30, can you believe it? I am obsessed with the tassel bracelets from gold and gray and the H&M beaded shorts, I can see myself wearing these with everything! Shop these items below and share your favorite spring getaway finds in the comments!

Spring Getaway Guide

shop the spring getaway guide:

Forever 21 Crochet Maxi Cover-Up ($23) / Nordstrom Floppy Straw Hat ($22) / Forever 21 “ooh la la” pouch ($5) / Nordstrom BP Sunglasses ($12) / H&M Floral Bikini Top ($20) / Forever 21 Lace Up Gladiators ($28) / Forever 21 Fringed Cutout Swimsuit ($25) / Old Navy Reversible Pink Tote ($29) / Gold and Gray Wooden Tassel Bracelets ($26) / H&M Beaded Shorts ($30) / Forever 21 Flatform Criss-Cross Espadrilles ($20)

Trendy Spring Accessories on a Budget

Now that we are well into March, I am finding myself slowly transitioning my wardrobe into Spring.

Spring calls for a fresh new look- sunglasses, floral prints, sandals and pastels! Doing a complete overhaul of your wardrobe every season is a little unrealistic so I love getting affordable transitional pieces like these below that can spring forward any winter look. I pulled together some fun sunnies, comfy sandals and great totes for any girl-on-the-go! These reversible totes are a great way to add a pop of color into your look, but still keep it practical. I recently got this reversible tote from Nordstrom and have been obsessed! It goes with everything and goes with me everywhere! I use it as a gym bag, a laptop bag and a tote on the weekends. And for only $48, I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth. For an even better deal, Old Navy has similar totes out right now in pink and mint! Get one before they are gone!

Spring Accessory Trends on a Budget

BP Double Strap Sandal ($49.95) / BP Heart Sunglasses ($12) / Old Navy Pink Reversible Tote ($29) / David & Young Floppy Felt Hat ($28) / Old Navy Perforated Faux-Leather Totes ($35) / Old Navy Two-Tone Convertible Tote ($35) / Forever 21Colorblocked Faux Leather Tote ($28) / Forever 21 Oversized Sunglasses ($6) / Steve Madden Floral Sandals ($47) / Street Level Reversible Vegan Leather Tote ($48) / Old Navy Women’s Color-Block Sandals ($20) / Old Navy Mint Reversible Faux-Leather Totes ($25)

February Birchbox | 2015

Anything that gets delivered in this fun of a box has to be amazing, right? And guess what, they were! Although not every sample in this month’s box was perfect for me, a few were spot on and the samples were generous! Check out my thoughts below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a company offering a subscription to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer boxes for both men and women!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is my friendship birchbox. It’s dedicated to the people who cheer us on, calm us down, and make us laugh so hard we cry! 

February Friendship Birchbox 2015

 

Laura Geller Beauty GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara

PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray

Marcelle Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes

Davines MINU Shampoo and Hair Serum

Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal Perfume

Today I’ll start with my favorite part of my beauty routine… mascara! I received the Laura Geller Beauty GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara in my box this month. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge mascara snob. I usually use two different types of mascaras in the morning, a lengthening and a “thinner” if you will. I love long skinny lashes, so I would love to find one mascara that can do both!  This mascara might just be the one! It not only lengthens my lashes in just a few swipes, it’s virtually clump free! It goes on smooth and doesn’t flake off or clump lashes together. I will definitely be purchasing the full size when my sample runs out!

Next to be reviewed is the PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray. This sea salt spray is not for me. When I’m going for the beach bunny look, I like loose, smooth waves, not sticky, tangled hair! I know sea salt spray is supposed to give beachy, textured waves, but I found my hair to tangle too easily and become unmanageable. Although the texture didn’t work for my fine hair, the scent was enticing and fresh!

Now onto the Marcelle Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes! Makeup remover is never the sexiest sample in a birchbox, but it is sometimes the most needed. I never want to splurge on makeup remover, or even buy it for that matter, but I’m glad I got to try this one. The formula in this little bottle is able to get off the toughest and longest lasting makeup and it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth! Now I can’t wait to take off my makeup! Luckily the sample was very generous so I will get a ton of use out of it before I need to invest in a full size, but the good news is it’s only $15 for the full bottle! What a steal!

Up next is the Davines MINU Shampoo and Hair Serum. Again, I don’t think I have the target hair for this sample. This shampoo and serum duo is eco-friendly and color safe, two things I love to see on my shampoo label! The scent left my hair smelling fresh and citrusy, but I didn’t love the texture of my hair. I usually wash my hair every two days, but there’s no way my hair would last a full two days without washing while using this shampoo. My hair immediately felt flat and dirty, there’s no way I will be investing in this hair care duo!

Lastly, I’m wrapping up this month’s reviews with the Juicy Couture Hollywood Royal Perfume. I’m already a fan of Juicy’s Viva La Juicy perfume, so I was excited to see this tiny tube in by sample mix. Like the Viva La Juicy scent, a little goes a long way. It has strong sweet scent that is perfect for a summer night on the town. It’s a blend of fruity and floral and is a great fragrance to add to your collection!

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, January Birchbox | 2015.

January Birchbox | 2015

My first Birchbox of 2015 did not disappoint! I got some fabulous makeup and pampering products to get me ready to take on the new year!

If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a company offering a subscription to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer boxes for both men and women!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything!

Below is my “Let’s Do This” Birchbox. This month’s box is all about empowering me to take on 2015 while feeling (and looking) great!

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Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner

Vasanti All Star 2-in-1 Face & Eye Primer – 15ml

It’s a 10® Miracle Leave-In Product Plus Keratin

Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion

When™ Travelmate Sheet Mask Set

Let’s begin with the Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner. I’m usually loyal to my liquid liner, but I like to mix it up every now and then. This green eyeliner helped me do just that! I received the olive green tint and it looked great with my brown eyes. I wore it all day and not one smudge! It slides on easy in application, but is dense enough to keep a sharp point, making clean lines much easier! The sample was so generous (and it’s not an eyeliner I’ll be using daily) so I don’t think I will be buying the full size, but I would love to check out one of the other colors!

Next up is the Vasanti All Star 2-in-1 Face & Eye Primer. To be honest, I don’t usually use face and eye primer. I was intrigued by the idea because 2-in-1 products are great for traveling- as long as they’re effective! I’ve been using this primer since I received it, it’s a great lightweight formula that has antiaging benefits. That’s almost a 3-in-1 now, but who’s counting? Overall, I didn’t really notice a difference in the staying power of my makeup, but I also don’t have an issue with my makeup lasting in the first place.

Time for It’s a 10® Miracle Leave-In Product Plus Keratin! I was excited to this this little gem in this month’s box. I’ve used this leave-in conditioner a few times before. It is filled with proteins that rebuild your strands and leave your hair silky smooth and this stuff really works! It almost reverses all the blowdrying, curling and straightening I do to my hair on a daily basis. I definitely recommend this miracle treatment for anyone who is looking to give their tresses a little TLC.

Now onto Essentiel Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion. This lotion really won me over! The smell took me by surprise at first, but it’s actually delicious. The scent is a fabulous blend of rosemary and mint, which is surprisingly invigorating. I found the lotion to absorb pretty quickly and it didn’t leave a greasy residue at all. I will probably only use this lotion for dry areas like my hands and feet, but I definitely think it’s worth investing in.

Lastly, I’m wrapping up this month’s review with the When™ Travelmate Sheet Mask Set. This mask is supposed to be great for traveling, but I ended up trying it in the comfort of my own home. I could see this being convenient to throw in your bag for a weekend trip, but I’m not sure how necessary it is for vacations. As soon as I applied this sheet mask, a cooling sensation took over my face. This mask was refreshing for the 30 minutes I wore it, but I didn’t see any lasting effects. It was fun to try this once, but I don’t see a need to add it to my beauty routine.

And that’s it for this month’s Birchbox samples. Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below! Maybe you’re just craving more beauty buys? Check out last month’s post, December Birchbox | 2014.

Trees, Sun and Waterfalls in Big Sur

This past weekend, my husband and I decided to take an impromptu trip down to Big Sur. It was so refreshing to take a break from the city and spend our long weekend exploring the outdoors in the sunshine!

As we made our way down Highway 1, the views only got more amazing. We stopped at almost EVERY vista point to take in the sights, hike down to the beach and we even spotted some whales in the sea and condors in the sky! The journey down to Big Sur was so almost as amazing as the actual hike we were headed to… almost!

When we finally made it to our trail, we were amazed by the humongous redwoods towering above us and the panoramic ocean views. The water was so blue and clear, nothing beats a west coast beach! It was truly breathtaking! But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself!- below are some pictures from our hike.

Lastly, for any of you planning a trip to Northern California, I definitely recommend adding Big Sur to your itinerary! The sights are beautiful and the journey is almost as good as the destination!

a peek into our day at Big Sur:

Notice my geo print compression pants? Those are not only great for hiking, but I got an amazing deal on them. You can still find those at Old Navy or shop my favorite affordable activewear finds. No more boring black yoga pants! There are too many fun, bright active prints out there to resist!

Lilly Pulitzer for Target- Ticket to Sunshine

Feeling down about those chilly winter temps? I’ve got just what you need to brighten your day and put a smile on your face!

Target just announced their newest collaboration, Lilly Pulitzer for Target!

Target is never one to disappoint with their collaboration partners and their latest choice, Lilly Pulitzer, is no exception. This limited edition collection launches April 19th and includes 250 pieces, ranging from clothing, accessories and shoes for both women (including plus size!) and girls, as well as home decor, outdoor accessories and beach travel essentials! What more could a girl want? The 15 exclusive collaboration prints are bright, playful and true to the Lilly Pulitzer brand esthetic.

This collaboration is already creating a ton of buzz! Click through the slideshow below to check out pictures of yesterday’s announcement party and do some pre-shopping! Share your favorite prints and products in the comments below!

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Gift Guide for the Girl on the Go

Happy Humpday! Today is all about that girl on the go in your life. You all know one! Maybe it’s your workaholic mom, jet-setting bestie or your overachiever sister. These girls are running from one meeting to another, dressing day-to-night and always look amazing at a moments notice. How do they do it? By having all the right tools at their disposal.

Below is a list of what every girl on the go needs and some of these items are so fun! I love the gem speaker for a girl who is ready to dance at a moments notice, the Minimergency Kit for the accident prone and the Naked on the Run full makeup palette that can get any girl ready in a flash! And don’t forget to stash all these amazing finds in this Reversible Tote from Nordstrom!

Which travel necessity is your favorite? Gifts for a traveler

Etsy Passport Case ($29) / Forever 21 Gold Stripe Cosmetic Case ($10) / Rifle Paper Co Bon Voyage Journal ($15) / ban.do Gem Speaker ($40) / Bella J Manicure Set ($12) / kate spade jubilee ultra thin portable charger ($50) / J.Crew Lightening Cable ($26) / Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit ($18) / Happy Plugs Earbuds ($30) / kate spade initial card holder ($30) / kate spade bow eyemask ($38) / Echo Tech Gloves ($28) / Urban Decay ‘Naked on the Run’ Palette ($54) / BaubleBar Gold Jewelry Set ($58) / Street Level Reversible Tote and Wristlet ($48)

Top Gifts for Him Under $50 | 2014

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving and a successful Black Friday Weekend! As you know, today is Cyber Monday and I suggest dedicating your lunch break to some sale shopping! It’s a great opportunity to get some names crossed off your gift list.

To get you started, I pulled together some of my favorite gifts for men- all under $50! This year, my husband and I are foregoing the large haul of gifts and sticking to stocking stuffers. This inspired me to pull together some fun, small gifts for the man in your life. The list ranges from festive boxers to martini tools, all perfect items for stuffing this year’s stocking without breaking the bank!

Click the links below to shop! Happy Cyber Monday Shopping!

Top Gifts for Him | 2014

Gap Snowflake and Christmas Boxers ($13 each) / H&M Leather Gloves ($35) / Crate and Barrel Whiskey Rocks- Set of 12 ($20) / Quench Martini Multi Tool ($40) / S’well Woodgrain Water bottle ($35) / J.Crew Snowflake Socks ($17) / Nordstrom Red Buffalo Check Scarf ($20) / Old Navy Pajama Pants ($17) / Minnetonka Slippers ($46) / Urban Outfitters Hibernate Flask ($18) / Herschel Chapter Toiletry Case ($25) / Herschel Charlie Card Case ($20)