Ooof, it's finally Friday!! This week felt like it took forever and I was super cranky. I haven't had a "bad week" in a while but this week everything caught up with me.

Honestly, I'm being a baby but I just wanted the week to be over. Nothing happened, nothing was getting to me--I was just not about it. The biggest source of my crankiness though was probably my commute.

It takes me about an hour and 15 minutes to get to and from work on the subway but this week the MTA decided to screw all of New York over. It took me two hours to get to work one day and almost two hours to get home another day. It's just been unbearable and it got to me.

I also think I'm getting sick and the weather has been so ridiculous lately; yesterday it was 70 degrees in New York and it's almost November!!!

UGH.

End.Rant

I promise I'm done whining ;)

It is Halloween weekend and I have zero plans. That is totally fine with me. I had places to go if I wanted too but Manhattan on Halloween? That sounds worst than New Years Eve in the city. Give me some wine, popcorn, and a scary movie and I'll be good to go.

Halloween has lost its appeal in post grad life, in my opinion. Halloween was THE HOLIDAY in college and it lasted all weekend but nowadays, I forget what day of the week it is.

One last thing! Did anyone update their iPhone to ios9 (or ios9.1--whatever it is) and get the new emojis? The new emojis and the entire update is giving me life. It's my favorite iPhone update yet!

Enough rambling, let's get to the good stuff.



The internet was on point this week and there was so much good stuff:

The struggle of blogger life is alive & well

Chronically tired but constantly thinking about everything? YEP

This kind of sounds like the story of my life so I think stress is just my middle name

All of the beauty products in this article are amazing and I want them ALL

I've learned a lot about anxiety in the past few years, and this is all great advice

I WILL USE EVERY INSTAGRAM CAPTION ON THIS LIST #DRAKE 

#TeamSleep #AlwaysTired


As you can tell from my article choices, it was a lot of stress, anxiety, and tiredness haha!

Have a good weekend everyone :) 



I always enjoy reading posts by other bloggers on the topic of blogging because I love learning new things. I'm always trying to improve my blogging skills, whether it's how to gain more traffic, how to plan out posts, or how to start a newsletter.

When I started Royally Pink, the only way I knew how to blog and grow as a blogger was watching other bloggers. At the start of all of this, I read blogs religiously and studied them -- how they were written, what they were written about, the photos that were taken; everything from editorial to design to the About Me Page.

In my opinion, that is the best way to learn -- by watching other people and researching the topic. You should always be original, you should never copy someone else, form your own voice and way of doing things but it's nice to take some tips from the people who have been doing this for a while.

I've always been an organizer, a planner, and I knew that when I started my blog back in May 2012 that I would bring that to the table. I needed too and I have and I think it's paid off.

Planning an editorial calendar has weirdly always been a dream of mine. I always wanted to work for a magazine and I dreamed of having a place to write all the ideas that were swirling around in my head. When I had the chance to create my own editorial calendar, I was stupidly excited.

That's what the post is about, by the way, planning for your blog posts and creating your editorial calendar.



I've tried multiple different ways, pretty much every way you can plan an editorial calendar but I finally found a way that works.

1. Physical calendar: I tried right off the bat when I first started my blog. I kept a separate notebook for my blog and would kind of create my own calendar by writing down ideas and putting a date next to it. It worked for a little while but then I started to get confused and it was difficult to remain organized and keep track.

I also love using my XOXO Heart Arrow Blog Planner
2. Combined agenda: What is a combined agenda you ask? Well, after a physical calendar I decided to use my regular, school planner as a blog planner as well. I had the Lilly Pulitzer large agenda and used the 12 month calendars as a blog planner. That worked really well for my junior and senior year of college. I had everything in one place and it was super easy to keep track of. When I had an idea, I just jotted it down and it was neat and tidy. Honestly, I used this a few months into post grad life as well but started to get bored -- that is really the only reason I stopped doing it.

3. Separate planner: When I graduated, I decided to become more professional with Royally Pink (has that actually happened?) and I wanted to get really serious. I had an extra planner lying around (My Whitney English Day Designer) and I started using that as my blogging planner. I was home more days a week and took my blog planning very seriously but it became too complicated to have two planners.

And now we come to my current routine...




4. Google Calendar: Once I entered the work force, I saw the appeal and amazingness of Google Drive, Docs, Calendar, etc. What I do now is so much easier than anything ever before. I plan out my blog posts anywhere from a week to two months in advance (I'll plan out weeks in advance if I'm inspired or on a roll and have so many ideas). I start off with the title of the blog post, which basically encompasses what the post will be about. If I have/want to input more detail I easily can by typing it all out in the description. Do I want to have two posts in a day? Do I want to move a topic from a Monday to a Friday? That's an easy, neat switch. There is no crossing out or page long outlines. Having an electronic calendar is not usually my cup of tea, but for editorial planning, it's the best way I've found.

Here are some other tips for planning out your calendar:


  • Create series on your blog to keep a theme and establish a 'brand feel'. I have Links to Love, Sunday Shopping, Recipe Wednesdays, Beauty To Know, etc. I like to write about a lot of different things so this helps keep things organized
  • Find a schedule and stick to it. I'm known for missing a day here and there but try to post 2-4 times a week and at the same days/times so your readers get used to when to expect a post from you. When I started out I posted 7 days a week and stuck to that for almost a year (WTF) but then I brought it down to 5 days a week and I still try to follow that now but if I get 3 posts up during the week, I'm not losing sleep
  • Find your voice. I'm a writer, I always have been, so finding my voice wasn't difficult. I blog the way I talk. If you're not a writer, it may be a little more difficult to find a niche but if you just say what you're thinking, a voice will follow.

These are just my tips-- there is no right or wrong. Do what you feel best fits you and success will come! 

What are your tips for blogging? I LOVE learning more and would love to know what everyone else does :) 

PS: Do you like posts like this? Would you like to see more?




I am officially going on a No Buy November just because of the past few days. I've shopped a lot this
month but I think this weekend takes the cake. Between a Bath & Body Works Haul, some J.Crew shopping, and these three Sephora hauls (and hopefully one more today when the Champagne Glow Palette comes out).

But really, I don't know what came over me this weekend. There were just some things I needed at Sephora, and then some free gifts I wanted and some little trinkets I wanted and had my eye on for a while.

I prefer shopping online at Sephora because I get completely overwhelmed by the store. I am also more likely to put things away when I'm walking around the store and have time to think about all the money I'm spending. But probably the thing I love most about shopping online at Sephora are all the free gifts you can get.

I usually always spend $25 or more so I get deluxe size samples using special codes I find on the Sephora mobile app or on RetailMeNot. This is a great way to try new products or get some extra goodies in your order. 

Also online there seems to be a lot more reward samples that you can redeem rather than in store, and of course, there are the 3 free samples that you can redeem at checkout no matter the price point of your order.

With all that out of the way, I got a lot of stuff between my purchases and free goodies and it's overwhelming but exciting. I really have a makeup/beauty/skincare problem but I don't care -- I love trying new products and reviewing them.



My original purchases that I paid for are exciting and I can't wait to tell you about them!

Lolita Lip Duo: This was my latest purchase because I saw an article on Allure.com telling me that this was on sale. Kat Von D's famous Everlasting Lipstick Shade in Lolita is ALWAYS sold out and it's super frustrating. When I saw that there was a mini size of Lolita and the new shade Lolita II in a set, I didn't even hesitate to buy it. I haven't worn them on my lips yet but the shades are perfect for the season and I've only heard good things so I can't wait!

With this purchase, I redeemed a 100 point perk which was the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate, the famous "Hollywood 2 Minute Facial". I've always wanted to try this and I've been in an exfoliating mood so what better time to redeem this!



Shine Bright Statement Lash Essentials: This was definitely a splurge, impulse purchase. I have been wanting to try something from the Tarte holiday collection but nothing that has truly caught my eye, until I saw this little set for $20. I don't have an eyelash curler so why not buy this gorgeous, encrusted studded one that comes with a deluxe sample of a best selling mascara? I'm obsessed with the eyelash curler and have been using it the past few days -- it really curls my lashes and holds the curl, perfectly prepping my eyes for mascara. I haven't used the mascara yet because I have SO many open right now but I know I'll like this too.

Dr. Jart Pore Minimalist Mask: I wanted something else to buy with the Shine Bright Essentials to get a free deluxe sample and what better to buy than a face mask? I have used this mask before and I've felt like my skin needs all the pore minimizing it can get. The charcoal based mask makes all the difference in helping repair my skin and I'm waiting for a good night to use it and pamper myself.

With this purchase, I decided to get the belif Hungarian Water Essence serum. Belif is a Korean brand  that has all these amazing skincare products and I've been wanting to try them for a while. I used this the other day and it felt incredible on my skin. It was deeply hydrating and refreshing which is exactly what I want in my skincare.

Sephora Anti Fatigue & Energizing Eye Mask: I love these Sephora brand eye masks and I was running out. The Anti Fatigue mask is my favorite because I always feel like my skin needs it. I love these eye masks because they really do feel refreshing on the skin and make a little difference. It also feels like the highest stage of pampering and I love that!

Tarte Maracuja C Brightener Eye Treatment: This is the bad boy that started it all. I needed a new eye cream since I ran out of my Murad Renewing Eye Cream. I went on about this baby in my updated skincare routine in yesterday's post so I won't ramble but it's amazing.

Top to Bottom: Lolita, Lolita II, Bite Lipgloss, Bite Lipstick
I got the most goodies in this order since I redeemed a 250 point perk in the Bite Beauty Lip Lab in Kir Royale perk. Bite puts out these adorable little perk kits that come with deluxe samples of their Rogue Cream lipstick, lip gloss, and a mirror. I love Bite Beauty but only have tried a few of their products. I've been waiting for the right color lip lab trio to redeem and I thought this gorgeous plum shade was perfect. Bite is an all natural ingredient brand and I can appreciate a company that is thoughtful about their products. 

The final thing in my haul is a Bare Minerals First Class Fave Trio which was redeemed with my $25 purchase. I failed to mention previously that I'm a VIB Rogue which means I spent $350 in a calendar year so sometimes VIB and VIB Rogue members get special offers for free products and this Bare Minerals trio was one of them. It comes with a Lash Domination Mascara, a Lip Oil Balm, and a Mineral Veil Powder. Bare Minerals is another brand I really enjoy and have wanted to try more of and this was a great place to start. 

I haven't tried the lip oil balm or the mascara but the Mineral Veil is a great loose powder for setting my makeup and it really makes my makeup look even more put together.

Whew, that was a lot of makeup! I really like doing round up haul posts like this since I do so much shopping. Let me know if you'd like to see any more of these types of posts!

What was your last purchase(s) at Sephora? Tell me in the comments :) 


I've come to realize that my skin is very sensitive to the change of season. Every time the weather changes, my skin flares up. It also seems that with each passing season, the skincare products that worked previously no longer work for me so I need to find new products to help.

I never had problem skin when I was younger, it was in the last two years that my skin started to become troublesome and even though I hate it, I love being able to try new products to figure out what works with my skin and what doesn't.

This upcoming fall season has honestly turned my skin upside down. For the month of August, I had finally gotten my skin under control and then once the cool air hit, it was thrown for a whirlwind once again.

I was suffering from breakouts galore and these weird bumps on the side of my cheeks and along my chin. Up close and personal they look like clogged pores so I've been really trying to unclog them with exfoliating products and pore products, trying to clear things up.

After a few weeks of trying everything under the sun, I finally started to see a clear up last week. I'm pretty sure it's thanks to one special little product I received in my Birchbox this month and it truly is my saving grace. I've already looked at the full size and will most likely be purchasing in the future.

That product is the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream which is supposed to help repair damaged skin and hydrate your skin as well. It's a lifesaver and I'm obsessed with it. It cleared up my skin within a few days and I'm hoping my skin continues to respond well to it.



Now for the rest of my routine...

1. Simple Micellear Water & Simple Smoothing Face Scrub: I love the Simple brand. Ever since I was told last year that I was allergic to fragrance, I haven't really used another drugstore brand for my skin. Every product I've used has been amazing and these two are my favorite. I use the Micellear water in the morning on a cotton round to cleanse my face and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and cleaned. The Smoothing Scrub is something new to me and I've fallen in love. It's a gentle exfoliate that is nice to use whether in the morning or at night. It really feels like I'm getting the dead skin off my face and I think it's made all the difference. It also doesn't irritate my skin which is the most important part.

2. Clarisonic + Fresh Soy Cleanser: I've told the tales of my love affair with my Clarisonic and it hasn't changed. This is my go to when my skin needs a deep cleaning and I try to use this after heavy make-up days or every other day. I use it in conjunction with my Fresh Soy Cleanser and it really gets the job done. My skin is incredibly soft, silky, and smooth after cleaning with my Clarisonic and I cannot imagine my life or skincare routine without it. I only use it at night because that's when I feel like my skin needs the most TLC.

3. Chemical Peel: I have come to loving a good chemical peel that removes the dead skin from your face. Just rubbing a bit of the peel onto clean skin and gently massaging it into your face allows for your dead skin to be removed, unclog pores, and refresh your skin. My two favorites are the Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel and the Real Chemistry Luminous 3 Minute Peel.

4. Michael Todd Serum & Toner: I've used a few Michael Todd products in the past and I throughly enjoyed them at the time, so I'm happy to have two other great products in my routine. I've really been wanting to get into toners and serums because beauty experts say they are necessities and these two haven't disappointed me yet. The Organic Lemon toner is an exfoliate toner (can you tell I like exfoliates?) and it removes the dead skin and dirt that my makeup remover and cleanser missed. The Concentrated Antioxidant Moisturizing Serum is even newer since I received it in my EveryDay Glamour Birchbox LE Box and it's replaced my heavy duty moisturizer. It leaves my skin hydrated and smooth while still feeling like it's repairing my skin.

5. Tarte Eye Brightener: I've talked about this product in the past and I just bought the full size. I always need an eye cream and I'm glad to have this bad boy back in my arsenal. It hydrates the under eye area as well as providing brightening properties to improve the appearance of dark circles.

It seems like a lot of products but it takes a village to clear up my skin. It's very dry, dehydrated, and sensitive so I need a lot of help to maintain it. I love products that help brighten my skin, clear up my blemishes, and tighten my pores.

What are your favorite skincare products to help your type of skin? Give me recommendations in the comments :) 



So this week is finally over and my goodness it felt like an eternity! Last week was super long -- Thursday & Friday, I was at QVC Studios for work, Saturday was my college homecoming so I was there all day, day drinking and seeing my friends who I haven't seen in so long.

Then, it was a long week of work and it's finally Friday -- and I took the day off! It definitely feels good to type this on Thursday night and not have to worry about another day of work. Can I do this every week?

The blog was seriously lacking this week and I apologize but I just didn't have it in me. The next few months won't be too hectic (I'm hoping) and I've been feeling SO MUCH BETTER so I'm hoping to get myself situated here. I want to start actually doing things for the blog, and start freelance writing (anyone have any suggestions)-- I just want to write more and I need to buckle down. I always feel better after writing, no matter what it is so I need to remember that. Sometimes though, after being on a computer all day, the last thing I want to do is be on the computer when I come home.



Should I start rambling? I will! There have been so many articles and fun things on the Internet this week and here are my favorites:

It was Back to The Future Day on Wednesday & there was an influx of fun stuff on the Internet 

Cool on the outside, insane on the insane: this is me

Can I have all of these, please? These are genius

I'm CRYING: This Back to the Future video is perfection

Talk about a #TBT

You are more accomplished than you think you are -- this resonates with me

I haven't watched Grey's Anatomy in a long time, but this was heartbreaking 

I am so happy that Lamar is ok, but this was such a true article

Another day, another anxiety article. These really hit home with me

Have a good weekend everyone :)


On Sundays, I'm home alone all day. Both my mom and sister are at work so I usually have the most relaxing day on planet earth and I cherish my Sundays with all my heart.

Because I'm home all day with Gossip Girl on Netflix and the only real responsibility of blogging to keep me busy, I sometimes experiment with recipes. I'll make myself a fancy, aggressive breakfast and I've just started cooking dinner for my family.

Well, last week I made a kick ass Loaded Cauliflower Soup in the Crock Pot but forgot to take photos so we'll wait on a blog post on that. That's what I originally had planned for today but then I also forgot that I made dinner Monday night too.

I was off last week for Columbus Day and decided to try my hand at another recipe and this was even more delicious and easier that the soup.

My mom wanted something healthy, while I wanted something flavorful and easy. That is how Garlic and Brown Sugar chicken was born.

It sounds kind of gross but my goodness it was tasty. It had a sweet, but not overpowering taste -- similar to what a teriyaki sauce tastes like.

And like I said, it was ridiculously easy.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken of your choice (I used thin sliced chicken breast cutlets) 
  • 4 TBSP of Brown Sugar
  • 2.5 TBSP of chopped garlic (I didn't have cloves but the original recipe calls for 4 cloves) 
  • 3 TSPs of Olive Oil






To Do:
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees 
  • Grease a baking pan (I used cooking spray -- nothing better!)
  • Pour the 3 tsps of olive oil in a heated sauce pan
  • Saute the garlic in the olive oil until it becomes soft 
  • Place chicken in greased baking dish and season with salt & pepper
  • Take the pan off the heat and combine brown sugar with garlic
  • Take a spoon or fork and spread the garlic & sugar mixture on both sides of the chicken
  • Bake for 40 minutes (I cooked them until the chicken cutlets were brown, crispy, and almost burnt)
Uhh, these were DELICIOUS and I will 100% be making this constantly this winter. How easy was that? I mean, only a few steps and ingredients you should have in your house. 

What is your go-to fall dinner dish?



It's pretty evident that I love Birchbox; I love everything about them. One of my favorite parts are the special value sets that feature a variety of different boxes.

One of the most appealing parts of Birchbox and what I have never tried are the Limited Edition Boxes. Every so often they offer a special, limited edition box that is filled with full size products and are all centered around a theme. The boxes have an insane value and are usually in the $30-60 price range, which is great for the value of the box. The best part is that most of the time they include lifestyle products which is a great added bonus.

The last special edition box was Gym Bag Heroes and even though I don't go to the gym (LOL) I really wanted it. I was saving up my points for it but then decided against it, and eventually it sold out.

Well, I'm really glad I did wait because they just recently released the Everyday Glamour Special Limited Edition Box which is AMAZING. I wanted to spend my points on items that I didn't have already, or have been wanting to try and this box was perfect for that.

The Everyday Glamour box is valued at $197 but costs $48. Does it get better than that, because I don't think it does! The description of the box is so cute and I really love the lifestyle that Birchbox has created for their customers -- how they appeal to us and the language they use really sets the mood.





The idea of the box is to create a little bit of glam wherever you go, no matter if it's work, school, meetings, etc. They have provided us with timeless, easy to use products that will create a beautiful makeup look.

Every single thing in this box is something I will use and from brands that I've been wanting to try. The box took forever to get to my house and I was chomping at the bit to dive into the box and my goodness, it did not disappoint.



Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer in Life in Photographs: Everyone who purchased this box got one of two different shades. I received the lighter pink of the two glosses and I really like it. I've been heavily into lip gloss lately and I've been wanting to try the Smith & Cult one. It was really wonderful -- not too sheer but not too pigmented and it wasn't sticky at all. I would 100% buy the other colors. 

Cargo TexasLash™ Mascara: I've been on a mascara kick lately and I've been wanting to try more Cargo products. I only have a blush and and eyeshadow that I received in my past Birchboxes and I've been really happy with them. This mascara has a nice, big wand that will surely give off voluminous and luscious lashes. I have this stored away for when I run out of my current mascaras but I can't wait to use it! 

Caudalie Divine Oil - travel size: Like mascara and lip gloss, I've been enjoying oils lately. Whether it's for my face or my hair, I'm all about that oil life. Caudalie is a well known, expensive but lovely luxury brand and I'm always down to try more skincare. This oil can be used on your hair, face, or body and it's a nice size for being travel friendly. I haven't used it yet but I have high expectations and I'm sure it won't disappoint. 


Ciaté Nail Polish in Paparazzi: Another luxury nail polish brand I've been wanting to try and I'm so happy I finally received it in a Birchbox. The Paparazzi shade is a deep wine, plum red and it looks gorgeous. Expect to see this in a Manicure Monday next week! 




Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Caramel: Ok I know I sound like a broken record but Jouer is another brand I've been dying to try. I've gotten small samples of their Moisture Tints in past Bircboxes but I've only heard good things. This eyeshadow is such a good size, and a great color for everyday. I'm super lazy with eyeshadow even though I have so many palettes but sometimes in the morning, I don't want to apply it because it takes too long. This is a beige/brown shimmery shade that is perfect for throwing on the lid in a quick, 10 minute makeup routine. It's super soft and pigmented and perfect! 

Michael Todd Concentrated C Antioxidant Moisturizing Serum: Michael Todd is one of my favorite skincare brands. I haven't found anything from this brand that I don't like. I was in need of a new serum since my other one(review coming soon) ran out. That was a major selling point of this box and I really like it so far. My skin is acting out right now so I need to be careful with what I put on it but so far, this serum feels great. It's super moisturizing and feels great on the skin. 



 
NER:D Skincare Repair Master Mask: I will never say no to a sheet mask! I have another mask from NERD Skincare that I haven't used yet but this is supposed to help heal damaged skin. I may have to try it soon because like I said, my skin is acting out. 




Stephanie Johnson Tinseltown Gunmetal Medium Flat Pouch: Like sheet masks, I could never have too many makeup pouches. I have already swapped this with the makeup bag I was using and it's so precious. It's glamorous, tiny, sparkly, and so girly. I love it! 




This box was an insane value and I'm so happy with every single item I received. If I didn't have points, I probably still would've spent my own money on this Limited Edition Boxes and now I may be hooked on the LE Boxes. They're too cute and too good of a value to pass up!

Did you get the Everyday Glamour box? What did you think?


After last month's confusion with if I should keep getting Birchbox, I was pleasantly surprised to be extremely excited and anxious about getting October's box. It could have something to do with the fact that I haven't been shopping too much and that I peeked (as always) at what was inside my box.

Oh it's a good one-- probably one of my favorite Birchboxes ever. Not to mention that it was a gorgeous pink box with a beautiful design that supported Breast Cancer Awareness!



All of the products I got in this box are ones that I've been meaning to try and so far, they're all awesome!




//Avene Thermal Spring Water: Spray mists are my addiction and obsession. I think they are a little gimicky but I can't help it! Every time I spray one on my face I feel like a new person. This Avene Thermal Spring Water is one of the better known mists and one that I have wanted to try for a while but never got a chance. I definitely notice a different in how this one feels compared to others like my holy grail Rosewater Spray from Mario Badescu; I wouldn't say its better because I love the Rosewater Spray, but this definitely feels just as good. I may buy a full size once this sample runs out.

Sample size: 5/5
Full size: $12.50-18




//Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Highlighter: I will never ever say no to another highlighter. I love these little sample sizes of liquid illuminators and I was really happy to try one from a Korean beauty brand. I've heard only good things about this highlighter and I can't wait to try it out. This would be wonderful to mix into foundation for a luminous finish!

Sample size: 3/5
Full size: $33




//Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo: I've gotten this dry shampoo in an Ipsy box (I think) and I really liked it. It got the job done and didn't leave behind a bad residue. It's a little on the expensive side in my opinion, I would never spend $20 on a dry shampoo so it's nice to have the sample.

Sample size: 5/5
Full Size: $20



//Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara: All Birchbox subscribers got a mascara sample in their box this month as their sample choice and I chose this bad boy. This is a brand new mascara to Stila's line and I've never tried any of Stila's products so I wanted to jump on the band wagon. Oh boy is this my new favorite mascara. It's very similar to the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and gives the same effect. I only used it once but I know this will be used up quickly. It has a very large brush that leaves your lashes luscious, long, and voluminous. Your lashes will look dramatic yet very soft and fluttery. It's perfect!

Sample size: 4/5
Full size: $23




//Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream: I'm always in need of new skincare and Dr. Jart is one of my favorite brands that I've discovered through Birchbox. This cream is supposed to calm irritated skin and deeply hydrate, which I'm always in need of in the winter months. I can't wait to use this, I'm sure it will not disappoint.

Sample size: 2/5
Full size: $48




What did you think of your Birchbox this October?



Most days, I put on a full face of makeup. I'm talking everything from winged liner to liquid foundation and a contour. I have so much makeup in my collection that I feel the need to use everything everyday.

However, in the past few weeks, I've become incredibly lazy in the morning and can barely get out of bed in time to get dressed and make my train. I blame it on it being pitch black at 6 AM and my body still thinks it's the middle of the night. 

Because of this, I've been sleeping later and to still be punctual, my makeup routine has been toned down, a lot. 

I've also really liked the way my minimal makeup look makes me look! It's delicate and feminine and natural. Sometimes that's the way to go! It's also good to give your skin a break from the heavy makeup once and a while; let it breathe!



I mix and match the products I use because like I said, I have so many, but the look pretty much stays the same.



1. Primer: Primer is always my first step no matter what makeup look I'm going for. I usually stick with a pore filling, silicone based primer or a hydrating primer for a minimal makeup look. I will definitely be leaning more toward the hydrating primer as we get deeper into the cooler weather. My go tos? Benefit's Porefessional or Too Faced Hangover RX. Both are holy grails in my book!

2. Concealer: The secret to getting out the door faster? Using concealer instead of foundation. Concealer is my favorite makeup product and I have so many but at the moment, my favorite is the Benefit Boing Concealer. I have this little compact that is half Boing and half Eye Bright. I apply Boing under my eyes, blend out, and set with a powder

To cover blemishes, I use my trusty Maybelline stick concealer. It's the best blemish concealer I've ever used and I always go back to it.



3. Powder Foundation: This is my other trick... if you need some extra coverage aside from concealer, but not enough time to blend liquid foundation, use powder foundation. I love sweeping my favorite powder foundations from Pur Minerals or Too Faced. I love how powder foundation can give me an airbrushed finish. It's perfect for any daytime look.



4. Blush: When I'm in a rush, I usually skip bronzer & highlight but will always add a hint of blush to my cheeks to give some life & color to my face. This Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Love Hangover is such a great everyday, pinky/peach color. They last forever on the skin and make me look alive at 6 AM.

5. Eyeliner: I have gone through phases where I constantly wear eyeliner and when I never wear eyeliner. I went through my no eyeliner phase this summer but it's back with a vengeance. I love wearing my CoverGirl Intensify Me Liquid Liner for a subtle touch.



6. Mascara: Mascara is always a must for me. It opens up your eyes and makes you look more awake.  If I apply any makeup product before leaving the house,  no matter where I'm going, it's mascara. My two favorites at the moment? IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes & Too Faced Better Than Sex.

7. Brows: Brows are also another thing I never leave the house without. Well groomed, tamed, and filled in brows frame the face and make your entire look feel pulled together. My favorite quick product for the days when I'm in a rush is Benefit's Gimme Brow, a tinted brow mascara that does everything you need it too.

8. Lip: A lip color is something else I always make sure I have. Whether I apply it before I leave the house or apply it at work (since I do work at a makeup company, I have an endless supply of lip products at my desk). Some days I just want a gloss, other days I'll stick to a bolder lip... it depends on my mood! 

It seems like a lot but in reality, this takes me less than 10 minutes and is a great, natural look for school, work, or just running errands. 

What is your go-to makeup routine for when you're running out of the house in a hurry? What product can't you EVER leave the house without?


I promise this will be the last Manicure Monday for a while. Well, maybe for two weeks. Fall is the season of nail colors for me and I can't resist all the new colors out there.

This color may not be new, but it's new to me as is the nail polish brand.

Butter London is a brand known for their nail polishes and I've only tried one other color from the brand and it wasn't my favorite.

I was determined to try another color eventually and when I was looking to place my order on BeautyKind, I saw that the website carried Butter London. This was my chance to build up my fall nail polish collection and give the brand another chance.



I decided on the grey/beige color called "All Hail the Queen" --that name is PERFECTION and so is the color. You can't tell in the photo on the website but in the bottle and on your nails, it has a glitter sheen to it and its gorgeous.


The formula is amazing, in my opinion. It went on a little sheer at first but it built up nicely in two coats. It was smooth going on and dried to a gorgeous finish. I was really pleased with how it applied and how it looked on my nails.

I used it with my Essie Gel Setter top coat and it definitely helped with chipping. I wore it for a week and had minimal chips. I think that says wonders about the nail polish formula and the top coat.

The one thing that started to bother me as the days went on was that the more I looked at the color, the more I felt like it was a grandma color. Maybe because my grandma has worn nail colors like that in the past but I felt kind of old when I wore it, if that makes sense.

All in all, I really liked this polish and it will be in rotation this year!

Do you like Butter London nail polishes? What's your favorite nail polish brand?


A few weeks back when I went to my first NYFW event, I received a gift card to Shoptiques in my goodie bag. Shoptiques is an online store that houses a bunch of smaller boutiques that sell everything from clothes to shoes to accessories.

It's the most adorable little website that has something for everyone. The prices vary from $30-$100 and even more but like I said, there is something for every price and every style.

I was browsing, looking to spend my giftcard and knew I wanted a beautiful sweater. After quickly looking through the website, I decided on this little cardigan sweater and oh my goodness, I cannot wait for it to arrive! This is gorgeous for work or even for running errands on the weekend. I can't wait to wear it all fall & winter long.


Lumiere Fuzzy Color Block Sweater

I still have some money left over on my giftcard after buying the sweater and this little number is on my wishlist next. This is something I could also wear to work but it's a little dressier (in my opinion) and could definitely work for a weekend dinner with friends or family.

Poe & Arrows Chunky Knit Sweater

Have you ever shopped at Shoptiques? What do you think of it? 


I'm currently writing this post as I come back into NYC on the Amtrak after taking a day work trip to the QVC studios. It was an eventful day that began at 5 AM and I'm exhausted at 5:30 PM. It also involved me missing my stop (and the next stop after I realized it) on the Amtrak coming into Pennsylvania.

I was alone on the train and didn't even realize I had missed my stop until my coworker called me and asked where I was; she was waiting for me to get off the train! The issue was, the intercom was broken in my car and my car didn't stop at the platform because it was so small.

I proceeded to run through three cars of the train, hysterical crying and asking the conductors what to do. I then got off at some random train stop and took an Uber (God bless Uber!!!) to the QVC studios. It wasn't that big of a deal, only a 20 minute Uber ride but in the moment, I was freaking out. I mean, I was in Pennsylvania, on a moving train, by myself, trying to get to a work event.

Seriously, only me. This stuff only happens to me.

All is well now and thankfully it worked out but I'm very glad it's Friday and that I have off on Monday -- thank you Christopher Columbus. I plan on having a relaxing, care free weekend filled with friends and blogging events. I'm sure I'll post an update next week on the event (if I make it there!)

I do have to say though, I felt very fancy on the Amtrak Thursday morning & afternoon with my coffee and laptop. I got some work done, clearly wrote this blog post, and just looked and felt professional. Mama, I'm growing up!

That is, if grown ups miss their train stops and then cry about it.



Anyways... enough about my drama and loss sense of direction. Here are the links I loved this week:


What did everyone else love this week? Happy weekend everyone!



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