Looking into 2016

Happy New Year everybody,

I'm a few days late, I know, deal with it lol. Everyone keeps asking "Whats your New Years resolution this year?" but I hate that question, I don't know why. Maybe it's because no one ever follows through with them, making them seem pointless. Sometimes I think that maybe we all should just think of something we've already done, like quit smoking (or anything else you've quit), because then at the end of the year we'll feel like we accomplished something lol.

For myself, 2015 was a year filled with many ups and a few downs, multiple jobs, and a lot of introspection and self discovery. I want this year to be different, I want it to be even better! I'm sitting here at my desk listening to Vance Joy on repeat thinking about how I'm going to make the most of my 2016. I thought that if I wrote it all down here, on this blog, I'll be held accountable. I'm not calling this my New Years Resolutions, this is the way I want to live my life in 2016:

• Be unapologetically myself- I've always been one to stay true to myself, however; sometimes I can shy away from things because I don't know what people will think/say/react. For example: This blog. Many people don't know I have it, why? I guess I was always worried that people would think the things I write about are stupid, which is such a silly thing to worry about, because WHO CARES? I want to do the things I love/want to do without even giving a thought about what people will think. Basically, this year I want to give zero fucks. 
• Be positive- Not that I'm a super negative person or anything, but I tend to let the negative things in life get the best of me. I get frustrated easily if things don't go as planned instead of looking at what did. This year I want to surround myself with positive people, positive thoughts, and positive energy.
• Get out more- I want to try new things, see more people, go for walks (once the weather is nicer, Canada is way too cold right now), go on adventures, and travel.
• Get healthy- By healthy, I mean physically and mentally. I want to eat better foods, do more exercise, get a better nights sleep, and make my anxiety my bitch! 
• Declutter- This kinds of ties into the point above. Clutter makes be anxious, and thats never good. I want to declutter not just my apartment, but also my mind. This is actually something I started a few months ago, but hey, it's a long and tedious process.
• YouTube- For those of you that don't know, my friend Mirian and I have a YouTube channel! . We started it over a year ago as a DIY channel, but got sidetracked by challenges because DIY can get pricey lol. This is also something that a lot of people don't know about, and why not?! We enjoy making videos, who doesn't like getting to do silly stuff with your friend? Why not share it with people. This year I want to make more than just challenge videos. I want to make things, talk about things, share things. This year I want to get serious about it and make more videos, gain more  subscribers, be active in the YouTube community. Check out our newest video:    

• This blog- I've had this blog for over a year and this is only my 8th post. When you first start a blog, they say to have a topic to write about, which is actually such a hard thing to think about when you love to talk about so many things. I went into this thinking "Screw just one topic, I do what I want." I don't really think I fully believed that though, considering all my posts are about Ipsy bags and clothing hauls, which I enjoy, but there's so much more to me. There are so many more things I care about. I want to do more blogs where I just write about random stuff, feelings, funny things I saw that day, etc. 

Well guys, there you have it. That's the way I want to live my life in 2016. I'm sure there are a ton of other things to add to this list, but thats basically the gist of it. I'm already feeling pretty optimistic and excited to see what the year brings. 

How do you want to live in 2016? Leave a comment down below! 

All the love,

Little j xo

August Ipsy Review

Well what do you know, it's another Ipsy review! I swear that I have other posts planned, I won't just do Ipsy reviews lol. One thing I have to say about this months bag is that it was really ugly. I'm usually a fan of the bag itself, but this months feels and looks cheap. The print on it is one thing that I don't hate, but the texture is really weird. It feels like plastic and has a bumpy texture. I don't like it.

The first thing I pulled out of the bag was this Hikari lipgloss in the colour Salsa. The first thing I thought was that the colour and packaging was really nice. Then I remembered that I don't like lipgloss, and that this was not the exception. When I tried it, it had all of the qualities of lipgloss that I don't like: thick, sticky, and hard to put on evenly. I also doesn't smell or taste good, which is something I think everyone should look for in a lip product. As pretty as it is to look at, I won't be getting any use out of this product.

This next item made me super happy because it's a holy grail of mine. Batiste Dry Shampoo in the scent Blush. I have really thin and fine hair, so it gets oily pretty quickly, and washing it too often really dries it out. Dry shampoo has been a bit of a life changer for me and Batiste has been my favourite brand I've used. It makes my hair feel super clean and voluminous, while also making it smell great. One downside is that it does leave some white residue, which is pretty annoying for anyone with dark hair. Here's a tip though: Spray it in your hair right before you go to bed but don't rub it in. You'll look like a granny but who cares. It will absorb more oil while you sleep and you'll wake up with really fresh feeling hair.

The next product I saw was this OZ Naturals Amino Herbal Hydration Mask. I was a little skeptical about this product at first because I have really sensitive skin and a lot of things irritate it. I tried it and I actually really like it. First thing that I love is that its 100% vegan and cruelty free. Second thing I love is that it made my skin feel so clean and fresh while minimizing the look of my pores. SCORE! So what you do it wash and exfoliate your face, then put some of this on. I thought it would be more of a milky white substance, but it's actually a gel with a mild minty scent. I let this sit on my face for about 15 minutes, gently rinsed it off, and applied my usual moisturizer. My face felt so clean and refreshed, I love it.

This next item is the Starlooks Pro Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen. Thats a mouthful. I was kind of excited about this product because I find liquid eyeliner kind of intimidating and most things are better in pen form. Fist thing i'll say about this is that the name is a total lie, it's far from long wearing. About an hour after using it I rubbed my eye and it all came off. Every. Single. Bit. Next time i think i'll layer it over a regal kohl liner and see how that works. Although it doesn't last long, it was really easy to use and I actually game myself a pretty decent cat eye. The tip is really good at making sharp lines and edges. Im determined to find a way to make this last longer. 

Last Item in the bag was the City Color HD Powder. I've been struggling to find a good powder to keep my foundation stay put, but I think I've found a new holy grail item. It's completely sheer and light. I put it on my face and it not only minimized the look of my pores, but made my skin feel super soft and kept my skin from looking super oily. I love this so much. One downside though is that since it is a loose powder, it can be pretty messy. Hopefully one day they can fix the packaging to help that.

Well, thats it for this post. Did you get this in your Ipsy bag? If not, what did you get? Let me know in the comments below!

-Little J

July Ipsy Review

Well, for plenty of girls, it's that time of the month again. IPSY time that is. For those of you who have no idea what Ipsy is, it is a monthly subscription where you're sent a limited edition bag filled with five beauty samples. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll actually get a full sized item. The great thing about this subscription service is that I get to try new brand that i've never even heard f before or haven't tried. What did I get this month? Let's take a look:

First of all, let's talk about the bag. HOW CUTE IS THAT? I haven't been getting Ipsy bags for that long, but some of the bags themselves haven't been too great. This one however, I love. The print is cute and colourful. It's not as "summery" as I thought it would be, but it's still cute. The fabric its self feels like canvass and feels really sturdy. I don't feel like it would rip easily. The size is great too. It's not too big to throw in your purse but it's not too small that you couldn't put anything into it. I'm going to be using this one to put makeup brushes in when I travel. 

The first item I pulled out of the bag was this Tarte Amazonian Clay bronzer in the colour Park Avenue Princess. I've always wanted to try Tarte products, so I was beyond thrilled to find this in my bag. The packaging is pretty cute with the faux alligator leather motif on the front. The quality on the other hand feels a little cheap. I don't know if it's because it's just a sample, but it just feels like really cheap plastic. Thats is really my only complaint about this product. What's inside you ask? 

I'm really sorry that I couldn't get a better picture of the bronzer itself, pictures just don't do it justice. You can't tell from this picture but it has a beautiful satin finish. I was so excited to try this but was really disappointed when I swatched it on my hand. It felt great but wasn't very pigmented. I realized that my hands are pretty tan at the moment, which is SO rare as I am usually the pastiest person alive.  I tried it again today, this time on my face, and I absolutely LOVE it. It looks so natural and really warmed up my skin without leaving it looking orange or super shimmery. What's the best part of this bronzer? It's waterproof, yep, that's right. So if you're out in the sun sweating the rest of your makeup off, at least you'll still have a nice warm glow!

The next item I saw was this Jor'el Parker Classico Perfume. Now, I'm not a huge fan of fragrances due to the fact that I tend to be sensitive to strong smells, but I don't mind this one. Im horrible at describing scents so forgive me, but it's a mixture of fresh, warm, floral, and sweet...? Basically, I like it. I also like the packaging. It's simple and I love that it's a roller ball application. The bottle is also glass so it feels sturdy. 

I love this next product. It's a Vanilla Coconut Cream Anti-Aging Conditioner by Jersey Shore Sun. It doesn't smell as good as I thought it would, it's not horrible, but it's not great. The consistency is super smooth and creamy, which feels super moisturizing. What makes this even better is that it is USDA Organic Certified made with sunflower oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, vanilla flavour, mongongo oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, rosemary extract, and calendula extract. Not only is it good for your lips but it's good for the environment. Win win. 

The next item was another lip product. P.I.N.K Lipstick by Bellapierre Cosmetics. At first I was a little put off from it because there was lipstick all over the outside of it. Not too sure how that happened but the lipstick itself seemed to be just fine. The packaging is cute and the colour of the lipstick is really pretty. It's not too bright and not too pink, yet not a nude. It has just enough shimmer in it that it shines but isn't over the top. What I love about it is that it glides on smooth and isn't drying. The only bad thing about it is that it doesn't wear for long, so you have to apply it pretty often. 

Last but not least, Eyetini Swizzle Stick Eyeling in the colour Blue Hawaiian. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one. My makeup routine usually consists of a lot of nude/natural shades, so I don't think I will be getting much use out of this. Besides the colour being a little too bright for my taste, the application of it isn't that great. I applied some to the back of my hand and I could feel some drag. you really have to apply some pressure in order to get really good pigmentation. This isn't a horrible product by any means, it's just not my cup of tea. It's also a full size product, which would be really great if it were in a different colour.

Well guys, thats it for this review. Do you subscribe to Ipsy? If so, what was you favourite item you got this month? For those of you who don't, what's the best new item you've tried lately? Leave you comments down below!

-Little J.

Recent Favorites

Hey guys! It's been a while since I've posted, I know, but i'm really going to make a better effort from now on. Promise!

ANYWAY, I thought I'd take some time an tell you what I've been loving lately. I'm always trying out new products so here's what I'm using right now. First on the docket:

719 Walnut Avenue: Peppermint Mocha Candle

I am in LOVE with this candle and so sad that it's almost all gone, since this is a seasonal one. Whenever the holiday roll around, I'm always on the lookout for a winer scent but am very disappointed by my options. I don't know about you, but I feel like i'm the only girl who doesn't like the typical "Holiday scents". You know the ones: Ginger Bread, Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Stick, Etc. I'm just not into it, I prefer the sweeter winter scents, so I was beyond excited to find this one. It's a subtle a mixture of sweetness and mint. Almost like you had been making some sort of mint cookies.

*OMG Thin Mints... drool*

Anyways, it smells amazing and burns really nicely. Unfortunately, I don't believe you can find them anymore since the holidays are over (so sad), but you can always check your local Walmart to see. If not, I highly suggest trying out any of their other scents.

Philosophy: Sugar Chick

Do you like multi-use items? Do you like stuff that smells good? Perfect! Then this is for you! I'm pretty crazy about this stuff. You can use it as not only a bubble bath, but as a shower gel and shampoo as well. I have yet to use it as a shampoo, but as a shower gel and bubble bath, it's great. At first I was a little worried about all the shimmer pieces and how they would affect my skin, since I have eczema, but everything turned out just fine! It's not drying on the skin and it doesn't leave you looking like a walking disco ball. I mostly use this as a bubble bath and I love it. You don't really need to use too much of it and you get a lot of nice bubbles and it makes your bath smell SO good. I will say that it does leaves behind some gold shimmer in your bathtub, which is not always a bad thing, tubs are usually boring anyways. I got mine at Marshalls but I'm sure you can find this on Amazon.

*Bonus: The bottle has a recipe to make marshmallows at home. Sweet! See what I did there??

Bioderma

 This stuff has changed my life. Ok, a little dramatic, but I LOVE this. How many of you use makeup remover wipes? I was one of you until I tried Bioderma. What it is? Fancy makeup removing water. All you do is put some on a cotton pad and use it to wipe off your makeup. It gets off all of my makeup (even waterproof) faster and better than a face wipe. Also, it doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or oily. It's pretty much perfect. I got the smallest size for around $5.00. It's small but it has lasted for quite some time. Once I finish this bottle, I'm going to purchase the next size up and use the small one for travelling, it's the perfect size.

Nivea: Gentle Toner

I don't really have much to say about this other than I love it. I use it right after washing my face and before using moisturizer. It's gentle on the skin and leaves it feeling super clean and fresh. It's now a staple in the skin care routine.

Maybelline: Baby Lips

For those of you that don't know, I live in Canada. Living in Canada means long and harsh winters, which means dry skin. Theres nothing worse than cracked and dry lips, so this is a lifesaver. It feels so smooth and moisturizing. I just love it.

Urban Decay: Naked Basics 2 Pallet

I am a huge fan of all the Naked pallets, but I use the Naked Basics religiously. The first Naked Basics pallet was something that I used everyday so I was super pumped when they came out with the second one. It's kind of pricey but totally worth the money. The shadows are nicely pigmented, you can build up the colours, and they blend so nicely. I'm going to say that the shadows in the Naked Basics 2 pallet have more of a warm undertone, but they work really nicely with the original pallet. Not only are these pallets great for everyday use, but they're great for travelling. First of all, the packaging is nice and small, with the added bonus of a good size mirror. Another benefit is that it comes with all the shades you need to create the look you want; natural, day time, night time, and smokey looks. I wonder (and hope) they come out with a third one. Could you imagine?? 

*fingers crossed* 

Benefit: They're Real Mascara

I know tons of people have already talked about this but there's a reason why, IT'S AMAZING. I was a lover of the Falsies mascara for a long time, so I was hesitant to spend that kind of cash on this product. I'm glad I took the leap, this mascara is so great! Not only does it make my lashes look fantastic but they also look way more natural than any other mascara could make them look. It's not clumpy and it stays on all day. No raccoon eyes at the end of the day! YAY!

Elizabeth and James: Nirvana Black & White

Ok, ok, so I didn't actually purchase these, they came as my sample from a Sephora purchase. However, I did want these for a while. I've never been a perfume-wearing kind of gal, but these changed my mind once I caught a whiff of them in the store. They both smell great but my favourite one is the Nirvana Black. It's a little more masculine than the White but it's not too overpowering. I'm really bad at describing scents, can't you tell? All I can say is that they smell freaking amazing, ok?! Although they smell great, they are super pricey, so I was pretty pumped to get these as a sample. The  sample sizes are great though and will definitely last me for a bit. However, once I finish the samples, I WILL be purchasing the rollerballs. You can get theses at Sephora for around $20 (rollerball). I believe the actual bottle is around $80, I could be wrong though. Nice research Jordan.....  *Sorry*

Well folks, that's all I have to tell you about right now but I hope you saw something you'd like to try!

What are your favourites at the moment? Will you be trying any of these?

- Little J

Mall of America Haul

We had a couple of extra days here in Iowa, so we thought it would be a great idea to head up to The Mall of America. It was great! I hadn't been there in years, so I totally forgot how big it really was! With all the shopping that had to be done, we didn't get a chance to check out the rides. We did manage to make it to the aquarium though. It wasn't as big as I thought it would be but it was still worth it. We must have gotten there at a good time because I scored some mayor deals! Keep reading if you want to see what purchases I made.

American Eagle Outfitters:

These were my biggest purchases but TOTALLY worth it and I got the best deal. The first one I picked up was the denim jacket. I had my eye on this baby for months now and I figured since it was still in the store, it was meant to be mine. It's not solely denim because the arms and hood are sweatshirt material, but I really liked it. It's super comfortable and not heavy at all. The one downside to it is that the pockets are really small and shallow, but the fact that it has a hood totally makes up for it.
The second one I picked up was this leather jacket. Don't worry, it's not really leather! It's a great dupe for leather though! When I saw this jacket, my heart felt all warm and fuzzy. I had been looking for a nice leather jacket that came at a nice affordable price. This was was juuuuuust right. I love everything about this jacket but the best part are the pockets. All of them are a great size, and zip shut, so you don't have to worry about things falling out!

I got the BEST deal on these two. The leather jacket was originally $99.95 and the denim jacket was $69.95. Want to know how much I got them for?? Drum roll please!!!

$104

Amazing right?!?!

The next items I picked up from American Eagle were these pants. I am obsessed with these pants, and have worn them so much that I've worn mine out. Everyone needs a good pair of black pants, and theses won't disappoint. They're thin, stretchy, soft, and so comfortable! Like I said, I love these pants, and I've already gone through two pairs. The only negative thing I have to say about them is that they tend to stretch out really soon, like after a couple hours of wearing them. So if you buy a pair, try buying a size smaller than usual because they will stretch. These cost $39.95 each

Forever 21: 

If you've ever been to Mall of America, you'll understand how HUGE this store is. I was so overwhelmed when I walked in there. It's definitely not a store you can shop in if you're in a hurry.

I saw this dress on a mannequin and fell in love with it instantly. It's colour and weight make it the perfect dress to wear in the office. It's also one that you can wear during different seasons. It's stretchy fabric makes it lay nicely on your body. It fits snugly on top and then sits nicely on you hips, giving you a nice figure. I love everything about this dress. This dress cost: $32.80

Next items I found were these earrings. I really liked the shapes and colours. I'm a very petit girl, so I'm always looking for dainty earrings, and these are perfect. These cost: $2.80

I have really small fingers, so finding rings is always so difficult for me. Luckily for me, Forever 21 has them in my size! I loved these because the set came with two regular rings and two midi rings. Pretty sweet deal! These cost: $4.80

This ring was my favourite. I loved the colour and all the pretty detail it has. I really don't know what else to say about it other than, I love it. This baby set my back a whole $2.90. :)

Last thing I found there was this necklace. I'm really into gold things right now and I also look for dainty jewellery, so this was right up my ally. This cost $33.80

Garage:

This flannel is the only reason I went into Garage. I bought a red one a couple months ago and I pretty much live in it. It's so soft and comfortable that I just had to get another one! I'd get one in every colour if I could. This cost $34.90

Urban Outfitters:

This store used to be my all time favourite but now I can't justify spending all that money on that kind of clothing. So, now when I go in, I look at all the home goods and random things they have.

This was the first thing I picked up. What is it?? Well if you're like me and let your phone die all the time, you'll want one of these. It's a portable phone charger! Basically, you plug this baby in and charge it like you would your phone. Once it's charged you can keep it in your bag (along with a cord to connect it to your phone). If your phone dies, plug it into this battery and BAM! Your phone is charging! This little thing can hold 1.5X your phones battery. Pretty neat, right? This only cost $24.00

This next thing isn't that cool, just some socks. I got the "over the knee" kind because winter is going to be here soon and I like warm legs. Originally these were $14.00 each but I got both of them for $22.00

H&M:

Last things I got were these two hats. I only have one hat that I wear, which is also from H&M, but it's purple. Let's face it, purple doesn't go with everything, so I thought I should get these. They're extremely soft so I know they'll be really warm. These were $5.95 each.

Well, that's it! Have you ever been to Mall of America? What was your favourite part?

-little j

Target Haul!

Well, it's that time of year again! Leaves change colour, chilly weather creeps in, football season starts, kids go back to school, and most importantly, wardrobes change! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE me some summer, but theres something about wearing comfy sweaters and scarves that really makes me happy.  With that in mind, I decided that my fall wardrobe needed an upgrade. So obviously that means I needed a trip to Target. Target is one of those places where I never leave empty handed, like, EVER. They have such a nice selection and for a great price. This is probably why 80% of my wardrobe is from Target. 

If you're looking for some fall clothing ideas, or just want to see what I got (It's ok, I'm nosey too..) Keep reading!

First item: Peplum Tank - $17.99

This was one of the first items I picked up and I LOVE it. It's something I know I'll be getting a lot of use out of because you can dress it up with a nice pencil skirt, or dress it down with a nice pair of jeans. It sits on the body nicely and the peplum bottom sits perfectly on your hips. The material is really soft, both on the printed fabric and mesh top, which is nice because sometimes mesh can be a bit itchy. Here's a closer image of it:

Second item: J'Adore Sweater - $22.99

If you're like me and live in Canada, you'll know how you can never have enough sweaters. I saw it and really, really, liked this one. It's pretty long, which is nice because you don't want a chilly bum when you bend over. It's one you could wear with jeans, leggings, shorts, or even over a collared shirt. It's pretty thin but has some weight to it, so I'm hoping that means it will keep me warm. Either way, it's cute.

Item Three: Grey Cropped Sweater - $19.99

I've had my eye on this one for some time now. If you're sad because the weather is getting colder, don't feel so bad, this one is cropped! I loved the crop top trend this summer, so I'm so happy it's carrying on into fall. This sweater would be cute with anything high waisted, unless you're brave enough to let the cold breezes on your stomach. I also love the knitted fabric. Here's a close up view:

Item Four: Cropped long sleeve - $14.99

Here's another one for you cop top lovers! Not only did I love the fact that this top is cropped, but I loved the colour and pattern. The pattern reminds me of ones I saw this summer, but this cool, blue/green colour makes this suitable for any fall wardrobe. I'd pair this one with anything high waisted and, because it has a low neckline, a statement necklace. The material is pretty thin, so wearing this with a sweater won't make you too warm.

Item Five: Sweater - $19.99

                 Skirt - $14.99

This is an odd one for me, because I don't typically like to wear matching sets, but when I saw this I just couldn't resist it. I love everything about it: The pattern, texture, weight of the fabric. It's so warm and thin at the same time. The best part is that I can wear both pieces together, or I can mix them with other ones. The top is cropped, so that's something to keep in mind when finding something else to pair with it, but that's ok. Here's a close up so you can see the pattern better:

And last but not least: A cat onesie - $24.99

Don't judge me, I'm 25 years old, but I still love a good onesie. I also live in Canada so staying warm is key. Ok guys, clearly this was in impulse buy so I don't really have much to say about it. I'll leave you a picture of the hood, Meow!

Thats the end of this haul. What are your favourite new pieces for fall? What stores do you love? Let me know in the comments!

-little j

Hollister Smell, Walmart Price

The other day I was walking around Walmart, when I happened to go past the candle section and something caught my eye: a grey candle. I don't know about you, but I've never seen a grey candle before. I'm currently obsessed with anything grey so I was instantly drawn to it. What scent is grey? Honestly, I was a little hesitant to smell it because it was either going to smell really good or really bad.  I opened it up and I was instantly OBSESSED! This candle smells like you just walked into Hollister and I LOVE it. 

Not only does this candle smell amazing, but it's price makes it even better. Fragrances at Hollister will cost you at least $12, this candle is less than five dollars!! I'm not a perfume lover, so if my home can smell as good as Hollister, I'm a happy girl!  This is a candle I can enjoy all year long. It's floral hints are nice for summer and the smell of mahogany and driftwood brings in some warmth, which will be great for the colder months. If you want to check this candle out for yourself, check out the info below!

Wallmart

$4.93

719 Walnut Avenue - Mahogany Driftwood

It is not currently on the Walmart website but here are some of their other scents.

http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=719%20walnut%20avenue%20candle&typeahead=719%20walnut

What are some of your favourite candles/scents?

-little j