Six Things I Love Sunday: July 1

Wow, it’s nice to be back in the blogosphere! No, I haven’t died and miraculously rose from the  grave in order to do Six Things Sunday.  My computer has actually been broken, thanks to a certain dog who fell off my bed onto my laptop.  Yep, that happened.  So, I’m borrowing a friend’s computer right now to get some homework done and the like, and I figured I might as well quick do this blog post since it’s been so long!

 

1. Victoria’s Secret Voluptuous Volume Mascara

Why? Strangely enough, this is my favorite mascara.  I know a lot of people have their favorite cosmetic brands, such as Revlon or Neutrogena, but I like to pick and choose my favorites from a bunch of different brands.  I ended up trying this because I had a free coupon of some sort, and now I’m obsessed.  No mascara has ever made my lashes look this good.

 

2. Asymmetrical Dresses

Why? For some reason, I am in love with this style for the summer.  I have too many dresses to count that have this asymmetrical hem, and I think it’s just such a fun and flirty way to switch up your style.  I know a lot of people who either love or hate the trend, so I’m interested to hear what you guys think!

 

3. Air Conditioning

Me. If I was Asian and in a stock photo.

Why? This is a no brainer, but the last few days in Wisconsin have been HOT.  And I don’t mean 80 degrees and sunny.  I mean 105 degrees and can’t leave the house because it’s so humid and nasty outside.  Thankfully, I live in a house that has been blessed with air conditioning, and I have been cranking that baby up in the last few days.  I have been selfishly wondering what people back in the olden days did without temperature control.  I hope I never have to find out.

 

4. Autumn

Why? Feeding off of my last favorite thing, I hate the heat.  I would be perfectly happy with the weather being a steady 65 degrees year round.  Unfortunately I live in a state with four seasons, so I only get that temperature for half the year.  Most people up here love summer because of the brutally cold winter months we undergo, but I embrace the cold.  If I had it my way, it would be autumn always.  I love the chill in the air, the reds and yellows in the trees, the crunch of leaves underneath your feet.  I love that winter is just around the corner, which means cozying up under blankets and frolicking in the snow.  Alright, this is starting to sound cliche.  Mostly, I love autumn, and I can’t wait for summer to be over.

 

5. Summerfest

Yes, it really is that crowded.

Why? I’m assuming a lot of you don’t know what Summerfest is, and you are missing out.  Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival, taking place in Milwaukee every year.  Basically, for eleven days, everyone gets drunk and parties and listens to music all day long.  It’s seriously the best place to be, and I’m going tonight to see Brantley Gilbert.  There’s over a million people that show up every single year, with over 700 bands playing each year.  If you love music, you need to put this glorious festival on your bucket list.

 

6. Sister Wives

Why? This show has become my guilty pleasure.  Everyone loves watching things that are unfamiliar to us; it’s human nature to be curious, after all.  So when I first heard about this show, I knew I had to check it out.  Basically, the Browns are a polygamous family, made up with four wives (hence, Sister Wives), and one husband.  I love watching them interact and learning their story and how they live.  They receive so much criticism for their lifestyle, but they’re just trying to live a normal life like the rest of us.  I really recommend that everyone watches this show at least once, because it is such an eye-opening experience.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Holly, not Hollie

Take My Credit Card, Please.

I’m sure you all will be just shocked to hear that I went shopping today.  Coffee with a friend turned into a shopping spree, and nearly $200 later, I’m left feeling that my day of retail therapy was a success.

Here are my purchases for the day.

H&M

 

 

 

Aerie

Target

Payless

Tiger Lily 

Yeah. Someone needs to take my credit card away from me.  But I am in love with that blue dress and the wedges from Tiger Lily.  Honestly, I would have been happy with just buying those two pieces, but of course once I start, I don’t know how to stop.

Happy Wednesday!

Holly, not Hollie

Six Things I Love Monday: June 4th

I have had no motivation lately.  No motivation to eat, no motivation to exercise, and certainly no motivation to blog.  But, seeing as today is Monday, it’s the start of a new week and a better me.  I need to get my shit together and start living life with a purpose.  So, clearly I need to start by posting my six things I love for last week!

 

1. Bloody Marys

Yum yum!

Why? This last week, I have drank more than I care to admit, and I have been consistently waking up with excrutiating hangovers.  Luckily for me (not so much for my liver), I love tomato juice and I have taken it upon myself to learn how to make a bomb-ass Bloody Mary.  So delicious, and my throbbing head always thanks me afterward. (P.s. Don’t judge me.  You were all young once.)

 

2. Balconies

Now, if only I lived on a beach…

Why? Okay, I know this seems like a weird one.  Like, what’s so special about a balcony?  Let me tell you.  I used to live in an apartment without one, and I’m a smoker.  Also, did I mention I lived on the fifth floor?  Although my legs were super toned by the end of the year, I hated walking down and up all those stairs just to have a cigarette.  I know a lot of you are thinking, “What a good reason to quit!”  Trust me, I tried.  Cigarette-less Holly is someone no one wants to be around.  Anywho, I’ve been hanging out with a friend who has a balcony at his apartment, and I have come to realize that it’s pretty much a necessity for me the next time I move.  The convenience is amazing, and sometimes you would just rather sit outside, cigarette in hand or not.

 

3. Marshall’s

Why? I just went there today, and I am in love with how cheap it is!  My closest store is about 30 minutes from my house, but it is completely worth the drive to get such good deals.  I bought the cutest white lace dress from there today for $29.99, originally $65!  So amazing.

 

4. Maxi Dresses

Ugh. I need that middle one.

Why? In the spirit of summer, I have taken it upon myself to collect these wardrobe staples.  Solid, patterned, neon…you name it, I probably have it.  While I do love to show off my legs, sometimes you just need a good maxi dress to switch things up.

 

5. Color Club’s Age of Aquarius Polish

Why? This is easily one of my favorite summer polishes.  So bright and so fun.  I have a lot of white and black summer clothes for some reason, so it’s always nice to have that little pop of color on my nails so my overall appearance isn’t too drab.

 

6. Frame Park

Why? This is easily one of my top five favorite places in the world, which is saying something because I’ve actually been out of the country.  It’s about fifteen minutes from my house, and there’s a huge path that stretches around the entire park. I love spending an afternoon walking by the river, visiting the little shoppes down the road, and enjoying the sunshine and good company.  So peaceful and beautiful.

Holly, not Hollie

Six Things I Love Sunday: May 20

1. Anthropologie

Why? This is one thing I really shouldn’t be loving.  It makes me sick thinking that I willingly spent $78 on a lacy tank top.  NO ONE needs to be spending that kind of money on something so simple.  But with housewares, trinkets, and clothing so cute, how do you possibly resist?  I know I can’t.

 

2. A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

Why? I had heard of Jaycee’s story before I knew she had a book.  Abducted in 1991 at the age of eleven, Jaycee spent eighteen years living with her captors before she was finally rescued.  This book is written autobiographically and the majority of it is about her time spent living in the backyard of Phillip and Nancy Gariddo, her kidnappers.  Dugard is not a writer by any means, but if you can look past her simplistic writing style, her story is truly amazing.

 

3. Rainy days

Why? To me, there is nothing more calming than laying in bed, reading a book, and hearing the rain pour onto the roof.  I’m not a huge fan of thunderstorms, but rain itself is one of the most exquisite things, in my book.  I especially welcome the rain in the summer.  It gives me a nice break from the heat, since my house is rarely air conditioned.

 

4. Organization/Order

What I wouldn’t give.

Why? Living with my boyfriend, it is often difficult for me to put things in their places and keep them there.  Nearly everyday, I find myself cleaning my room, putting controllers, colognes, books, what have you back in their proper place, only to realize that everything is in complete disarray by bedtime.  I have tried countless times to force my boyfriend to clean up after himself, and he typically obliges for a day or two and then it all goes to hell again.  So, for those rare few days where everything is in its place, I find myself really savoring the organization.  It also doesn’t help that I have way too many things for way too little of a space, so my room tends to look cluttered very quickly.  I suppose I could always get rid of some stuff, but I don’t think I could truly embrace the minimalist lifestyle.

 

5. Survivor

Why? When it comes to TV, there are two categories that trump all others for me: reality and game shows.  Needless to say, this is why I love all things Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother, etc.  The most recent season of Survivor just ended on Wednesday, and I’m a little bit heartbroken.  I love nothing more than watching people compete in challenges and the like, so I’m kind of wondering what to do with myself TV-wise until another season comes along.

 

6. Payless

Just bought these a few days ago. Too cute.

Why? Call me cheap, but I love a good deal.  That’s why I love Payless.  I’m really not a shoe person, but Payless gets me every time.  I always find something cute there, and I never pay more than I think something’s worth.  Plus, I think I can afford to be a little frugal at times, especially when I’m buying $80 tanks.

What are you guys loving right now?

Holly, not Hollie

Six Things I Love Sunday: May 6

Hello all!  Today is going to be a busy posting day for me.  I posted earlier this morning about receiving P90X, and I’ve decided that every day I will post about my progress with the program.  And of course, I can’t forget about Six Things Sunday!  So here we go.

 

1. Pinterest

Why? At first I was a little slow on the uptake with this site, but I’ve come to love it.  For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, Pinterest is a virtual pinboard on which you pin photos of anything you want.  You can organize the pins in folders too, so you can easily access exactly which pin you want.  Unlike a lot of people I follow on Pinterest, I actually use the pins that I post.  It’s a great place to find new recipes, gets some crafting inspiration, or even learn new workouts, among a multitude of other things.  I suggest you check it out, and while you’re at it, go ahead and follow me. 🙂

2. Wedges

Why? When it comes to heels, these are my shoe of choice.  I am not a girl that can wear sky high stilettos without breaking an ankle or two, so wedges are my go-to option if I want to add some height.  Plus, nothing says summer like a cute pair of wedges.  I’m sorry, but when I’m walking around Summerfest later this year, the last thing I want is to trip and spill my $6 Miller Lite everywhere while getting my stiletto stuck in some random crack in the ground.  Wedges will ensure that this will not happen.

 3. Jeopardy!

What a guy.

Why? I have been watching this show for years.  And when I say years, I mean a decade.  I remember spending weekends at my dad’s house when I was younger, and on Friday nights we would always watch Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune back to back because he didn’t have cable.  This early exposure turned me into a Jeopardy! fiend.  I watch the show almost every single day, and I can’t get enough of Alex Trebek’s dry wit.  My ultimate goal in life is to be on this show, but I’d be lucky if I could even beat a monkey.  Oh well.  A girl can dream, right?

4. Nook Color by Barnes and Noble

 

Why? I used to be an avid reader.  When I was younger, I would plow through books like my life depended on it.  Even in school, while the teacher was talking, I would be reading textbooks and taking notes ahead of time just because I enjoyed doing it (nerd status, right?).  Surprisingly, this love for note-taking has stuck with me as I’ve gotten older, but for awhile, I completely stopped reading for pleasure.  After I started college, I was so overwhelmed with my course load that the last thing I wanted to do was pick up a book and read it for fun.  Then, I got my Nook for Christmas, and I haven’t put it down.  Since December, I have read 21 books, which is more than I had read in the last four years combined.  I know that a lot of people hate tablets because you don’t get the actual feel of holding a book, turning its pages, etc.  I had these same worries too.  But once you get past the electronic-ness of the Nook, it’s so much better than lugging a book around with you.  I can access thousands of books with a simple touch.  I get magazine subscriptions, many of which have a free monthly trial.  Plus, I’ve found free knitting patterns on my Nook, which is great for when I need a simple project to work on and don’t feel like buying a book of patterns.  Okay, I’m rambling now.  Long story short, I love my Nook, and you should definitely check it out.

5. Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner

Why? I received this in my BzzAgent campaign box a couple weeks ago, but Friday was the first time I got around to using it.  I went through a pretty intense eyeliner phase in my teens, and I now cringe realizing how much a raccoon and I had in common.  The past few years, I’ve opted for a more natural look, which requires me shunning eyeliner altogether.  Until Friday.  My friend and I went out to the bars, so I thought I’d give this eyeliner a try.  Not only did it make my eyes pop, but it comes with a smudger, providing me with a perfect smoky eye.  I had never been able to get the smoky eye down before, but the smudger really made all the difference.  The eyeliner comes in four different colors, and it’s only $7.49 on Neutrogena’s website.

6. That Moment When You Finish a Really Long Paper

Precisely.

Why? I don’t think this even needs an explanation.  I have a 12 page paper due tonight about social media.  Haven’t even started.  Wish me luck!

Holly, not Hollie

Spending Money Like It’s Going Out of Style

There is no other way to describe the last few days other than expensive.  Luckily for me, it was much more expensive for my boyfriend than for me.  As I mentioned in my last post, the boyfriend was going to take me shopping for my birthday instead of getting me a traditional gift.  The whole excursion took roughly three hours, and thankfully my boyfriend had his friend S along for the ride.  Nothing like discussing video games with your best friend while your girlfriend blows your bank account.  I ended up buying from H&M, Express, American Eagle, The Gap, and Charlotte Russe.  Warning: you are about to witness the aftermath of a dress-oholic.

So, without further ado, my haul.

H&M, $12.95 apiece

This was one of the first things I bought.  Overall, just two simple, solid-colored dresses.  I thought they’d be cute for day or night, so I ended up getting them in both orange and black.

H&M, $17.95

I’m usually not a big floral girl, but this dress was just calling my name.  I love how light and flawy it is, and I’ve always loved the high-waisted skirt look.  In fact, I have two other dresses very similar to this one.  Not as if I needed another, but when in Rome, right?

H&M, $12.95

This is by far my favorite dress out of the ones I bought.  I love the bohemian feel, along with the little braided belt that came with it.  Also, I think it highlights my curves without making me look fat, which is always a bonus.

Marshall’s, $29.99

For some reason, I have an obsession with white dresses.  Half of the dress collection I have is white.  To me, there’s just something so summery and beautiful about a white dress.  Hence, this lacy number.  This is the first one-shoulder dress that I’ve bought, and I was pretty happy with the price.  Usually Marshall’s requires a little bit of digging to find something lovely, and I’m glad I had the patience to find this.

Express, $59.90

To be completely honest, I’m still on the fence about this one.  I ended up getting it for 45% off because the store was running their 30% off sale, plus I had a coupon, so I don’t really feel guilty about buying it.  When I first tried it on, I thought it was cute and unique, but now the more I look at it the more I wonder what I was thinking.  What’s your opinion?

Express, $69.90

I’m pretty in love with this dress.  I love the cinched waist, and the little bit of leopard print adds a little bit of fun to a dress that might otherwise be considered stuffy.

Gap, $12.95

I really love this top.  It’s pretty casual, but that suits my lifestyle because nine times out of ten, I’m doing casual things.  It was originally around $40, but it was on sale for the above price, so I had to snatch it up.

Charlotte Russe, $5 apiece

Do you remember those sandals I bought from Charlotte Russe about a month ago?  Those cute ones with the orange beads?  Yeah, well, they broke.  One hour into wearing them, half of the beads fell off all over the pavement.  Needless to say, I decided to return them.  The employees gave me a really hard time about wearing them, even after I showed them the bottom of the shoes to prove that I hadn’t even gotten a chance to break them in.  Eventually, they agreed to give me a $10 store credit (even though the shoes were $34.95.  Yeah, I was kind of pissed.).  Since I couldn’t buy anything substantial with that amount of money, I took advantage of their $5 accessories sale and bought myself some bracelets and a new belt, in an attempt to make an effort to accessorize.

American Eagle, $34.95

I thought these were really cute, and I love the little silver detail and the braids.  However, I have tons of sandals.  Like, way too many.  These were kind of an impulse buy, so I’m debating returning them for something more practical, because realistically, these will get worn probably three times all summer since I have so many pairs already.

Whew!  That was exhausting.  Now, I’m off to find something to wear for dinner and drinks tonight with the girls.  It’s a little chilly, so I might have to forgo the dresses tonight.  Hope you’re all having a great week, and only one more day until the weekend!

Holly, not Hollie

Six Things I Love Sunday: April 22

Happy Sunday everyone!  I hope you’ve all had a good weekend so far.  Here’s my six things for this Sunday.

 

1. H&M

Why? I’m kind of a late bloomer when it comes to H&M, but lately, I make a beeline towards this store every time I find myself at the mall.  The clothes are so cheap and so cute, and you’ll never find anything cookie-cutter there, which is awesome.  The only problem I have with this store is that it can be hard to find a size because everything is so picked through, but that’s not necessarily the store’s fault.  Overall, I think it’s safe to say that this is my new favorite store.

 

2. Cho by Zoya

Why? I ordered this from Birchbox and just received it in the mail on Friday, and I am in love with the color.  For me, it’s the perfect color for a neutral polish.  I was a little disappointed that I had to paint on three coats for a good color, but for spending only $1 (I used my Birchbox points!), I’m pretty pleased.

 

3. Luke Bryan

Whatta hottie.

Why? I cannot get enough of his music lately.  Aside from the fact that he is incredibly easy on the eyes, I can’t wait for summer so I can roll down the windows and blast his music for all of the world to hear.  Plus, I can’t stop listening to this song.

 

4. PINK Crop Tees

Why? Okay, okay.  I know a couple weeks back I posted about how I love everything PINK, but I swear, this isn’t a repeat!  I have three of these shirts, and I think they’re just perfect for a day at the beach.  Granted, there haven’t been many beach days in Wisconsin yet, but I’ve been wearing them around the house almost everyday in anticipation of warmer days.  Plus, I love how versatile it is.  It looks great off the shoulder or hanging low in the front or back.  Plus, if you’re like me and don’t have a super-flat stomach, it still provides enough coverage so you don’t feel like your belly is all exposed and whatnot.

 

5. Marley and Me

 

Why? I know this movie had been out for quite awhile, but I’m talking about the book, not the film.  I just got done reading it on my Nook, and I’m not going to lie, I teared up at the end.  I’m a huge dog lover, so I probably shouldn’t have read this book to begin with since I knew the ending, but it was worth it.  If you have only see the movie, I definitely recommend you read the book too.  So much better.

 

6. Tamales

Why? I’ll admit, this is a kind of random thing to post, but I went out for Mexican with my mom last night and had the most delicious tamales.  It’s basically some sort of meat (I had chicken) rolled up in cornmeal dough, then baked in a corn husk.  So tasty, and easily one of my favorite foods.

What are you loving right now?

Holly, not Hollie

April Birchbox

So instead of my usual Six Things I Love Sunday, I’m just going to show you guys what I got in my Birchbox this month.  Overall, it was kind of hard to one-up last month’s box, which was full of full-sized products instead of tiny samples, but I was happy with what I received.

From left to right: Befine Skincare Sampler, Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift, Lulu Organics Lavender and Clary Sage Hair Powder, Yes to Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes

Befine Skincare Sampler

The skincare sampler came with five little sample packets which were either exfoliators or moisturizers, which is actually pretty nice.  What I like about this is that it gives me a chance to try something new without buying an entire bottle.  Its full size sells for $25, so I’ll have to see how well these work before I buy.

Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift

I actually wasn’t too fond of this fragrance.  To me, it kind of smelled like cotton candy or something, just a little too sweet for my liking.  It almost reminded me of cheap perfumes for little girls.  I feel kind of bad saying that because I like Taylor Swift, but she needs to stick to singing, not to perfume-making.

Lulu Organics Lavender and Clary Sage Hair Powder

I have not tried this out yet, but already I’m a little weary.  I have some dry shampoo that I use every once in awhile, but for some reason it doesn’t blend into my hair.  It just sits on top of my head and gives my hair a weird grayish tinge, no matter how much I try to rub it in.  I’m sure at some point I’ll end up trying this, but for now I’d rather just wash my hair than risk embarrassing myself.

Yes To Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes

I absolutely adored these.  This 8-pack was Birchbox’s “Beauty Extra” for the month, which I thought was a great addition.  I tried one already, and it’s super soft on the face, not abrasive and drying like a lot of towelettes can be.  It doubles as a makeup remover and refresher, and I could actually notice a difference on my skin (or maybe that was wishful thinking. Who knows.).

I also got this Zoya polish from their TRUE Spring Collection, and I love love love the color they sent me!  It’s called Bevin.  I’m a pretty big Zoya fan, so I was definitely happy to see this in my box.  In the photo the color looks kind of blueish gray, but it’s actually more of a greenish gray in person.  Regardless, I don’t really have any colors similar to it, so I’m happy.

Also, I just reached 225 points on Birchbox, which means I get $20 off my next purchase!  I’m pretty excited because I’ve been on a lipstick and nail polish kick lately, so hopefully that extra $20 will satisfy my makeup craving for a little while. 🙂

What kind of makeup or nail polish are you loving right now?

Holly, not Hollie

Some More Nail Art

Bored with my marbled nails, I decided to visit my nail art board on Pinterest in hopes of some inspiration.  I came across this fabulous tutorial from Birchbox and decided to try it out.

Items needed:

• At least three colors of contrasting nail polish
• Scotch tape
• A pair of scissors

First, I painted my nails three different colors.

I used (blue) Noel by Zoya (which I also used for the marbled nails), (green) Envy by Ulta, and (silver) Agent Glam by Anise.

The tutorial made it clear that I should wait until the next day to do the actual art, which I only understood after I attempted to tape up my nails.  Let me tell you from experience, you should definitely wait until the next day.  Waiting sucks, but you don’t want to rip the paint off half of your  nails.

So, next day arrives.  Cut the tape into different shapes to form different patterns on your nails.  Be sure to press down firmly on the tape, since you don’t want the polish to seep underneath.

I made my patterns pretty simple because my nails aren’t super long, but there’s a lot of really cute ideas in the tutorial.

Next, take a contrasting color of your choosing and paint the exposed part of each nail.  Alternate colors depending on your base color.  Then, peel off the tape while the nails are still wet, let dry, and paint on a nice clear top coat.

And voila!

Beautiful, unique nails!

Holly, not Hollie

Marbled Nails

Ever since I kicked my nail biting habit, I have realized one of the most basic satisfactions of life: painting your nails.  Before about a year ago, I had never noticed just how many truly beautiful colors of polish were out there.  Although my bank account is probably a little pissed with newfound polish obsession, I’m just happy that I can now create art on my nails.

I recently saw on Pinterest that someone had essentially “marbled” their nails, and I couldn’t resist trying.  Now, this might be really common and I’m just now getting on the bandwagon, but I thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.  So, without further ado, my attempt at the marbled nail.

So by now, hopefully you know to have very low expectations when it comes to my photography skills, and this picture is no exception.  It’s a little blurry and hard to see, but I layered green and blue to give my nails the marbled effect.

First, I started with Limelight by Ulta.

I got this color for Christmas, and while I was layering the blue I was thinking that layering this green with red might make a cute Christmas polish. Or it might look really gaudy.  Who knows.

These were the two colors I used.

The green (right), like I said, is Limelight by Ulta, and the blue that I used as a top coat is Noel by Zoya.

The whole process of making the marbled look is actually really simple.  All you have to do is paint your nails with your base coat (green, in my case).  After it dries, take some plastic or Saran wrap, tear it up, and scrunch it into little balls, one for each finger.  Then, paint your nails with the top coat (I found doing my nails one by one to be easiest) and while the polish is still wet, dab at the polish with the plastic wrap.  Let the polish dry, paint on a clear coat of polish, and you’re done!  Simple as that.

Let me know if you guys try it!  I’d love to see how yours turn out.

Holly, not Hollie