Today I turn 25 years old.

That seems like an unreal age for me. I felt this way when I turned 13 years old, 16 years old, 18, 20, and 21. The past few birthdays have been uneventful but yet, here we are at another milestone.

For my last milestone birthday, I was in my senior year of college, ready to drink my face off for the next few months and just living life, however I wanted too. I had no responsibilities aside from sorority chapter and going to class, and I felt like I would never get off the high I was on.

Fast forward to now and I'm heading into my third year at my first full-time job, I'm living at home, single, and in need of more of a social life. I work a lot, blog a lot, and spend my money too frivolously.

It's no secret I had a rough few years; I transitioned out of college, adjusted to life at home, lost my dad, and have just been growing up. Now, I no longer can be classified as a silly twenty-something. I'm 25 years old. I'm a real adult with real responsibilities and it's time to start acting like it.

That may sound too harsh but I came to a realization a few weeks ago. I need to stop shopping, I need to make some big life changes, I need to put myself out there. It's time to buck up and get serious. I'm going to be 30 years old in five years and I'll be damned if I'm in the same place then.

I'm rambling a little bit but you get the picture. It's been a rough early twenties and I'm ready for a change. Maybe 25 is the change I need?

All that being said, I wanted to be a cliche blogger and break down for you some of the biggest lessons I've learned, almost all occurring within the last five years. Some will be long, others will be short but stick with me.



1. Stop waiting & just do it: I've been wanting to lose weight forever but I had my breaking point this summer and have lost 23 pounds so far. When you want to do something, there is no right time... just do it now. There is no better time than the present.

2. Spend the extra dollar: My friend Tyler said something a few years ago that stuck with me. "You can always earn more money"... while this isn't true for everyone, it's true for almost all of us. If you want that latte, just buy it. That $5 will fall back into your lap somehow.

3. Alone time is essential: I am a huge advocate for alone time and it's something I realize more and more. Spending time with yourself is the best way to learn about yourself. If you don't want to spend time with you, who will?

4. Step outside your comfort zone: Take the phone interview, cold email the company, take a risk -- it'll pay off in the end.

5. Get help when you need help: It's not weak to ask for help; if you have anxiety, go to a therapist and get medication (exactly what I did), if you need help at work, ask for it. No one will help you if you don't ask.

6. You 'fall out' with friends & find your way back: If your friend is really your friend, you will always fall back together. Your real friends will be there for you when you really need it and it'll mean more than you'll ever realize.

7. Timing is everything: If it's not the right time, it's not the right time. It'll all work out in the end, whether it's relationships, jobs, money, or friends.

8. Don't worry about others: Like I said in my blog post yesterday, I'm whimsical and don't care who knows it! I used to be embarrassed about sharing my blog with everyone I knew but now IDGAF and most of my friends read it! (HI!) Just do you, boo.

9. Do what is best for you: In the same breath, you have to take care of yourself and do what is right for you. If you can't go out on Friday night because your body is screaming, just stay home. If something is going to make you anxious to the point of sickness, don't do it. Just do you.

10. It is not the end of the world: Nothing is the end of the world; if you're not a doctor or lawyer, your work is just work. The fight with your friend won't last forever, and everything will pass. Nothing is the end of the world, there is always a solution.

11. Grief will hit you anytime, anywhere: On Thanksgiving, I cried my eyes out for about 10 minutes because I missed my dad. Other days I don't cry at all or even feel like crying. However, grief will hit you at weird times and you need to feel it; ride it out and let it consume you. It gets better every day.

12. Step away from the phone: Some days I wish I could delete all social media and throw my phone out a window. Sometimes it's good to disconnect and just be for a while.

13. If you don't like someone, stop talking: There is no room for negativity in your life. If someone rubs you the wrong way, you can just not talk to them. If you can't stand someone's social media posts, just unfollow them. It's simple and very liberating.

14. Keep a password keeper: This is more of a rational, easy to do item; download a password keeper app on your phone and store your passwords there. It's a lifesaver!

15. To do lists are king: Another rational item, keep a to-do list for everything. Whether it's on your phone or in a notebook, your life will be easier if you have a to-do list.

16. Life without passion is nothing: Find something you LOVE to do and stick to it. It doesn't have to be your job, although that is nice, find a hobby, a charity, something to dedicate yourself too. Don't come home after work and sit on the couch. Find a passion, your life will be better for it.

17. Don't compare yourself to others: A few of my friends have moved out and have had multiple jobs, they have boyfriends and are doing something big with their life. I don't feel ready to move out yet so I need to stop comparing myself to them. They're not better than me and vice versa so don't compare yourself to people you know or people on the internet.

18.  Heartbreak: You will get your heartbroken, more than once, and at times you will feel like you are drowning but I promise, you're not.Each day gets better and the world keeps turning. It's going to be ok.

19.  Learn to say no: At work, in your personal life, just learn the word no. Don't be a yes person, especially when it is inconvenient for you.

20. Family time is important: I have few regrets but one of them is not spending enough time with my dad while he was alive. Now I make sure to spend as much time with my mom and the rest of my family. It's more important than anything because you always have your family, even when you feel like you have nothing.

21. Understand what you like and don't like, and accept it: I was going to go out on Saturday for my birthday to a bar with some friends. I didn't want to do a brunch because I always do. Well, then I thought about it and I hate bars and hate going out at night. So I planned a brunch & I can't wait. Why would I try to pretend that's what I wanted to do when it wasn't? It's not about being different and stepping out of your comfort zone (for this) but if you like something and you'd rather do that, then do it!

22. Being kind is not hard: In today's world, we need all the kindness we can get. It's not hard to smile at someone, hold the door, or just be a good soul.

23. Research is your friend: I love research so much. Learn to look for the things you need; if you need to know how you'll react to a medicine, what questions to ask on an interview, or what kind of puppy you should adopt... just research it. The internet is there for the taking!

24. Bored? Do something!: My mom always asks me what I do every day because, after work, I'm always perched at my desk doing something. I don't like to be bored so I always find things to do, whether it's blogging, reading blogs, writing an article, or on Pinterest, I entertain myself because that's what I like to do to keep myself entertained.

25. Everything happens for a reason: I will probably get this tattooed on my body at some point in life. What is for you, will not pass you and there is a reason for everything. It's my motto, my mantra and what keeps me sane. I truly believe it too. There is a reason for everything, we just may not realize it yet.

Thank you all for reading, for being a follower and for letting me be me!

xoxo
B

PS: Enter my birthday giveaway! 



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Today is my last day of being 24 years old. I'm leaving my early twenties tomorrow and heading straight through into my mid-twenties.  I almost don't even want to admit how scared I really am because it sounds silly, but I've been in the middle of a quarter-life crisis since I was 20 years old and now that that term is actually real, it makes all my worries real too.

I have a post planned for tomorrow, dedicated to the things I learned in 25 years... whether I have 25 things or not on the list is yet to be determined but cross your fingers!

Before that post, I wanted to do a little giveaway post. It's been a hot minute since I've done a giveaway and I figured what better way to celebrate my birthday than by giving someone who reads my blog and makes this possible, something?

Now, this giveaway is by no means big but there is a little meaning behind it.

This weekend, my mom was talking about me and my personality and she described me as 'whimsical' -- she also said I was very easy to make fun of but that's beside the point.

I never thought I was 'weird' but when I got into college, a few of my friends described me as weird or nerdy, in the most loving way possible. When I started thinking about it, it's kind of true. It's hard to put into words but some things that I buy or do are just not what people in my life do, and maybe that's because I've been exposed to the blog world for so long and that's how I chose to live... as if I'm living life out to be written about.

I mean, no other 25-year-old girl in my life is decorating her room for each holiday and printing out new pictures to hang on her wall to go with a theme. No one else in my life insists on having Kate Spade headphones because they're cute or ordering a cell phone stand from Amazon just because it's cute and makes life a little easier.

I am whimsical and that is the best way to describe me and I'm really embracing it. Mind you, I never shied away from being who I am... I just didn't realize that there was a word for it.

Does any of this make sense?

Let me tie it up for you...



My giveaway winner will win a Snow White Macbook decal, just like the one I have on my Macbook. No one else I know has this or would think of putting it on their computer because it's just not them, ya know?

This sums me up perfectly though: technology, Disney, and all things fun and cute. What better way to celebrate my birthday?

Also, whoever wins will get a few makeup and skincare goodies from me! The giveaway lasts one week and you can enter below!

Thank you all for reading, commenting, and following along with me. I started this blog when I was 20 years old and it's been a great 5 years with all of you. Here's to 5 more!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


xoxo
B

This month went by in a blur but also very slowly. It was a rough month for some personal reasons but also a happy one because 1) the weather got cold, 2) Thanksgiving, 3) I turn 25 in two days.

November is definitely my 2nd favorite month (October being the first) so I was happy to have it pass by a little more slowly than usual.

I didn't do much shopping this month to save up all my strength and dollars for Black Friday & Cyber Monday... I will attempt to do a haul over on my Youtube channel once I get everything in the mail!

Because I didn't shop that much, I did a really great little shop my stash and really used everything in my collection (makeup wise)



1. Becca First Light Priming Filter: I'm almost done with this primer because I've been using it every day. I forgot how much I loved it and I will be buying it again. It's super light weight, makes my skin look nice and really allows my makeup to last all day. If you haven't tried this primer, I highly recommend it!

2. Hey Honey Silk Facial Serum: While I love nighttime skincare, I am never good at putting skincare on in the morning. I don't like my face to feel oily or too moisturized before applying makeup, which goes against everything I know, but I just like using my primer on clean skin. That is, until now. I don't know where I got this mini sample from but it's almost gone and it's amazing. I've used this everyday before makeup and my skin feels so smooth and supple. The texture that was on my skin is pretty much gone and I think I owe it to this product. It has a smooth texture, doesn't have a smell, and just sinks into your skin. It's an awesome morning serum!

3. Makeup Forever HD Foundation Stick: I've had this in my collection for a while and always use it sparingly. Well, this month I decided I wanted a quick foundation to apply in the morning before work and this was perfect. It makes my skin look flawless, gives medium-full coverage, and is just perfect to apply in a hurry. I apply it with this PUR Cosmetics brush and it takes me under 60 seconds to do my foundation. I kind of want to throw out all my other foundation & use this only.

4.  MILK Makeup Flex Concealer: I've been dying for a new concealer because I've been bored with my collection and I just so happened to get this concealer from an old colleague who works for MILK. Um, it's amazing!! The packaging is so cute (I love the tube + classic applicator) and it is medium-full coverage. It has a brightening effect while not being stark white *not sure if this is a claim but it is for sure brightening on me* and it blends out beautifully. It's a new must-have for me!



5. Snowflake iPhone Case: When I saw this iPhone case from Kate Spade, I was drawn to it immediately. I'm getting into the real winter & Christmas spirit and this went with my aesthic. However, for once, I didn't think spending $55 on a phone case was a good idea so I decided to look on Etsy... I found a few I liked but then I thought, what's cheaper than Etsy? AMAZON! I got this adorable snowflake phone case that is sturdy and fits my mood to a T.

What was your favorite item of the month?
xoxo
B

I know that it's Cyber Monday and I know that I should be a good blogger and post all the deals I'm shopping but honestly, I am exhausted from all the sales going on. My email inbox is insane and it was just super overwhelming to comb through everything.

The entire Cyber Week was incredibly hectic and while it was nice to not be bombarded on Black Friday, Cyber Monday was a different story.

To put it simply, I shopped Kate Spade, Glossier, Nordstrom, and J.Crew Factory this Cyber Week. Throw in some Baublebar & Alex & Ani and you've covered everything. I bought gifts for others and gifts for myself... it was pretty normal.

Anyways... I should also point out that this post is later in the day because yesterday (Sunday) I was out all day and Saturday I was just not in the mood to open my computer. I felt very off over the long weekend  and I need to get back on track.

That being said, I still wanted to share this post because I think it's super important.

I am the queen of online shopping and I online shop more than I shop in store. I think that goes for a lot of us, and especially around this time of year. Malls and stores are crawling with people and those of us who are super tech savvy like to shop from the comfort of our beds and couches.

However, more people shopped online on Black Friday then in stores which is CRAZY so online shopping is definitely on the up & up, especially for people who do not usually shop online.

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With more people shopping online, it's super important to be safe while doing so. It's always important to make sure you're shopping on safe, secure sites, and just being mindful of what sites you're putting your credit card information into.

No matter how small or big the website is, they're prone to hacking but there are ways to even further protect yourself.

I ccameacross this infographic from LifeLock on the risks of online shopping... I won't lie, this made me SO NERVOUS but with these tips, everything will be smooth sailing.



1. Shop on sites you trust: If you've heard horror stories about certain websites (Limecrime cough cough) don't shop there! Stick to the sites you know and love and maybe don't try anything new just yet.

2.  Do Your Research: If a website that you find on Instagram seems a little sketchy, your gut instinct is probably right. If you really want that sweater on the Instagram sponsored ad, do some research and check out the site to see if it's legit and to see what other customers have to say about their experience.

3. If It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Is: I found a website a few weeks ago that had Louis Vuttion bags for like $300. It seemed way too perfect so I did some research and the website was a scam. It just proves that if a price is too low, it's probably not safe to shop.

4. Avoid Public Wifi: Don't use the wifi at work or at Starbucks when doing your holiday shopping. Public wifi is more prone to hacking and idenitify theft. Just wait until you're home with your own, safe, password protected wifi.

5. Before Of Email Scams: Avoid opening emails from unknown senders or emails with weird subject lines. Sometimes you may think something is being sent from your favorite retailer but there could be a slight change in the name. Just always be on the look out for a scam...

If you want some more great tips, head to this article. They are all really good tips to be aware of but these were just some of my favorites!

What are your tips for safe online shopping this holiday season?

xoxo
B

I'm currently sitting on my couch with my aunt, uncle, & mom, watching Football and awaiting for the appriporate time to eat leftovers.

I was going to blog Wednesday & yesterday but just didn't have the time. I was cooking and baking and had to run errands, and I was just exhausted by the end of it.

I wanted to have this post up earlier but I woke up late and was spending time with my family (and working because uh, it's the biggest shopping day of the year).

I've already shopped a few Black Friday sales before Black Friday even began, so I don't have too much shopping to do but I still wanted to round up my favorite sales of the day/weekend.



Kate Spade: 30% off with code GIVEJOY


May Designs: 40% off notebooks, 20% off accessories

Nordstrom: Extra 20% off sale items

Charlotte Tilbury: 50% off select kits & deals all weekend long


*I really am tempted to buy one of the beauty advent calendars for 50% off and I'm doing my best to resist temptation.

J.Crew: 40% off your purchase

J.Crew Factory: 50-60% off everything



Sephora also is having their $15 and under kit sale which I also shopped and picked up this IT Cosmetics skincare set. 

Don't pass on QVC today either; 5 ezpayments on all their beauty & electronic items AND free shipping on everything. It's a must shop in my opinion.

Let me know what you're buying!! Happy Shopping!

xoxo
B

Becca is a newer brand on the beauty scene.. if 2001 is newer to you, but it really flourished back in 2014/2015 if I do say so myself.

It was a brand that was known for their highlighters, most noteworthy Opal. They've since branched out with other products but in their heart of hearts, I think they always stay true to their heritage as a highlight brand. They are always releasing new highlighters in limited edition colors and designs, and combining different highlighter colors to make a new one.

What I'm saying is that Becca Cosmetics has a lot of highlighters and pretty much have something for everyone, but they do have other great non highlighter products too.

I've been using Becca since 2015 and have used a lot of their products so I figured it was time for a Brand Buzz and time to give you my favorite products.



1. Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop: Opal is no longer the most famous highlighter in the universe; it was overtaken when Jaclyn Hill teamed up with Becca and released this gorgeous golden Champagne highlighter. It is by far my favorite highlighter and I have it in 4 separate forms (the original compact, the Jaclyn Hill Face Palette, the poured version, and the Slimlight. It is a gorgeous champagne gold that looks good on everyone. The formula is creamy and smooth but applies really nicely. It's just a great shade and I recommend everyone buying it.

2. Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Champagne Pop: I love cream products so when my favorite Becca shade was released in their cream formula, I jumped on it. It's the best cream highlighter formula I've ever tried because it's not too powerful in pigment but still packs a punch. It's also very easy to apply whether with a duo-fiber brush or your fingers. I love, love, LOVE this shade in the cream highlighter version.

3. Mineral Blush in Wild Honey: I love nothing more than a warm, neutral blush and Wild Honey is THAT perfect color. The formula is super soft, pigmented but not too pigmented so it doesn't get messy. It applies perfectly and smoothly on the skin and blends out really well too. This is a blush that I go with whenever I don't know which blush to wear and it always comes through.

4. Aqua Luminous Foundation: This is the only foundation I've ever really finished and I was just reminded at how much I loved it when I sat down to write this post. It's a very watery, liquid based foundation so it feels so good and light on the skin. From what I remember it's a medium coverage and blended out really well with a beautyblender. I also liked that it was a luminous foundation because my dry skin responded very well to it.

5. First Light Priming Filter: I don't know if I've ever loved a primer this much. I used it a lot when I first got it but then like most of us, I got bored but rediscovered it recently. I've been religiously using it for the past month and my goodness, I forgot why I loved it so much. It is one of the few primers that makes my makeup look really good all day long. Everything blends out really smoothly and evenly over it and I just LOVE IT. I highly recommend getting this over the original primer and Sephora has it in a mini size.




Honorable Mention: I LOVE my Jaclyn Hill face palette & eyeshadow palette (I was one of the few that had a good batch of shadow palettes and opted to keep it) but you can't get either of them anymore but I wanted to mention!




Also, I've been loving the Apres Ski Glow palette they just released for the holidays! I highly recommend getting this palette this season.

Below are the items on my Becca wishlist!






What do you love from Becca Cosmetics? 
xoxo
B

This post is sponsored by Seventh Generation and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own! 

Even though I recently lost 20+ pounds on Weight Watchers, my lifestyle is far from 'healthy'. I still don't eat too many fruits & vegetables and I haven't gotten on board with clean eating.

Despite all of that, one aspect of my life where I have found to be easy and seamless to go organic and clean is through feminine care products.

YUP, I'm talking about tampons.


Truth be told, I only started using tampons about 4 years ago because I was terrified. I had read too many articles in CosmoGirl when I was a tween/teen about Toxic Shock Syndrome and swore off tampons the moment I got my first period.

When I started using tampons, I used one specific type and didn't think much about using anything else. Then, this wellness craze took over the world and we all realized that what is in our tampons is probably not the safest for our bodies.

Once I read up on the importance of organic tampons I knew it was a switch I was willing to make.

*Even if you don't care about the bodily importance of an organic tampon, it's better for the earth and is just as useful as recycling your water bottle.

I mean, no one should be putting chlorine directly into their bodies once a month. That just doesn't sound safe or sanitary. All of the chemicals in our feminine care products are doing damage that we cannot see so it's hard to really imagine the dangers, but it's a change that you can make very easily. You aren't really changing anything about your lifestyle... just using a different brand.



I have to suggest Seventh Generation who has been making organic feminine care products for over 10 years. They were always a front-runner in making sure women knew exactly what was in the products they were putting into their body every month. They have nothing to hide because they're using good for you materials to make their products.

All the tampons are free of chlorine processing, fragrances, and deodorants which I can really appreciate because my skin is super sensitive. They're also hypoallergenic which is just an added bonus for everyone.



Seventh Generation's Organic Tampons have a smooth, BPA free plastic applicator so it'll feel like your regular tampon applicators; they're also made with 95% plant-based materials and no petroleum-based sources (which ew!) so they're safe for the planet as well.

You can find these tampons at your local Target, and they come in regular and super so you will not have a problem with any of that stuff.

Going organic with your feminine care products is better for you, and better for the earth!

xoxo
B

Happy Friday! Another week has passed and it's time for the weekend. Will I ever stop looking forward to the weekend? I don't know and that's quite sad.

This week was super duper long: a photo shoot on Monday, after work drinks on Tuesday, and just an exhausting Wednesday & Thursday filled with a lot of gut-wrenching too personal for the blog stuff. I am taking the weekend to rest and recharge, and work a little and I simply cannot wait.

I'm going to go shopping at Target and Bath & Body Works today to get some Christmas stuff and also get some Thanksgiving stuff together. We are less than a week away from my favorite holiday of the year, and my birthday is a week after that!

I have a fun little birthday giveaway as well as a heartfelt post to celebrate my 25th birthday so keep an eye out for that. I also have a few fun posts coming before the end of the month and I cannot wait to post them!!

So, I was a model this week. We did a photoshoot for work for some new products and they needed an extra model so look who got done up??

I got a new blog planner & it's too cute for words!

• We got some more Fantastic Beasts sequel info and I can't wait
• Signs you have an anxiety disorder
• How to cope with stress when you just can't take it anymore
• Pretty rose quartz beauty items to get this holiday season
• Jimmy Fallon's tribute to his mom will make you cry
• The New York Times did a piece on Barstool Sports so yeah, VIVA
• If you haven't been listening to Reputation on repeat, what have you been doing all week? 

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As I mentioned last week, I love sweets and carbs so trying to distance myself from all my favorite breakfast foods while I'm on Weight Watchers was going to be an issue.

I searched Pinterest high & low for breakfast recipes that would satisfy my hearty carb craving and when I stumbled upon these easy to make biscuits, I immediately made them. They are originally a recipe for Cheddar Cheese biscuits but I opt out of that and take off 1-2 points.

They are so delicious and you would never know the difference between these and regular, fatty biscuits.



It also only takes 2 ingredients: Reduced Fat/Heart Smart Bisquick and low-fat milk. I use Almond Milk because I just like it better and I like to think that it's fewer calories and a little more healthy than low-fat milk.

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups Reduced Fat/HeartSmart Bisquick
• 3/4 low-fat/soy/almond/fat-free milk

I didn't realize it until I started working in the beauty industry but in retail, the holiday season starts at the end of September and that is usually when you start seeing all the beauty companies putting out their holiday sets.

It can be very overwhelming to log onto the New Arrivals section of Sephora and Ulta during the holidays because there are so many sets and limited edition product to choose from. Most companies don't release permanent items during this time but may introduce something that is limited edition to get an idea of how customers react to it.

While the end of September/early October is a little early to really consider holiday shopping (in most cases), I like to scoop up some of the sets I know I definitely want and might sell out. Usually, once holiday sets are sold out, they won't come back in stock. Sometimes though, you get lucky and the retailer does restock. I like to shop early just in case.

I can do this because well, I'm not shopping these sets for other people, I'm shopping for myself LOL.

When I was presented with all my options this year, I knew there wasn't going to be much I wanted. None of the Too Faced or Benefit stuff intrigued me, I don't need or necessarily want a limited edition eyeshadow palette and to put it simply, I don't need a lot of other stuff that's available.

I only picked up two items so far and I'm contemplating a few other ones.

When I saw the eyeshadow palette that Becca was releasing, I wanted that so badly but then after much consideration and a few reviews, I opted against it. I was glad when I did because then I saw the face palette Becca released and fell in love.






First, the packaging is incredible. I'm obsessed with icy blue this season and I think I blame this packaging. I feel like Queen Elsa when I use this palette and I love it! I don't have any of the colors in the palette so it's well worth it for me. The formulas great and the colors are perfect for winter -- I highly recommend picking this palette up if you love Becca, loved limited edition items, and love face palettes!

The other item I purchased was one from Bite Beauty. I got the Champagne Discovery Lip Set because I've been dying to try the lip gloss and Multi Stick lipstick. Also, my love of Champagne things has not faltered this year. It's also three full-size items for $35 so you cannot go wrong with this one.





The outer box is so adorable because it has 'I WISH' embedded in it so it has the touch of holiday cheer without being cheesy. The products inside aren't limited edition and are great quality -- I've been wearing all of them nonstop.

Like I said, I only bought these two holiday items so far but below are some others I have my eye on and some that I think would make great gifts for the beauty lover in your life:

Last week in New York we had a huge cold front. It was super weird because it felt like December weather, not early November. I've mentioned it here before and I'm sure you're not blind to it either: the weather has been wild and it's wrecking havoc on all parts of me: my health, my routine, my skin and my hair.

We are two weeks away from Thanksgiving and it is the one thing that is keeping me going! I am so excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas I almost feel overwhelmed. There are so many things I want to do,  so many ways I want to decorate and so many things I want to bake -- it just feels like I can't do it all.

That's how crazy I am -- I'm so excited for the holidays that I'm actually anxious about trying to do everything I want to do. Seriously, only me can feel that way.

I really want to do a lot of holiday content on the blog and had a post planned for yesterday but Wednesday came and I was too tired to open my computer. What else is new!

I'm planning a big shoot for the blog that revolves around the holidays in the next few weeks and I cannot wait to do it! I've actually never been this excited about anything on the blog.

Tonight I'm going out with my mom, sister, and some family friends and then this weekend will be another spent getting stuff done. I have to gym it up again, do some planning, and lots of writing. I also want to try to film at least one Youtube video and get it up this weekend as well. We'll see how that goes!



It's definitely going to be a busy few weeks here are Royally Pink HQ and I'm excited -- hopefully, you are too!

*PS: You'll notice on my sidebar I created two gift guides: gifts under $25 and gifts under $50. At this time I won't be doing gift guide dedicated posts so those sidebar widgets may be all I do, but we'll see!

*PPS: Reputation by Taylor Swift comes out today and I'm pretty sure that's all I'll be listening to!

Here is what I loved this week:

• Starting today, you can actually have Breakfast At Tiffanys
• This Target wishlist is amazing and I need the leopard coat ASAP
• This year, I want all the Harry Potter gifts and all the beauty gifts
• Natural ways to get rid of under eye circles I definitely need to try 
• All the beauty launches to buy this month

I used to have something on the blog a few years ago called Recipe Wednesday where I shared the latest recipes I was trying out.

Also, have you noticed how much I love having a series on Wednesdays? i.e Wishlist Wednesdays, Book Review Wednesday... I guess I just love Wednesdays!

Well, now I changed the series because well, I love alterations and want to branch out from Wednesdays.

If you missed my post from a few weeks ago, you missed the fact that I was published on POPSUGAR. I submitted my weight loss story to them and they decided to publish it! It was honestly a dream come true because POPSUGAR has always been one of my favorite websites and it's been a dream to see a byline on there.

I have mentioned it in passing multiple times here but I started Weight Watchers in July and I've lost 20 pounds. I'll let you read the article (shameless plug) but basically, I've never lost weight in my life and it's a huge accomplishment for me to say I lost 20 pounds.

That being said, it has been difficult because I hate feeling restricted in what I eat. I can, however, eat whatever I want on Weight Watchers and the internet has helped immensely because there are so many recipes out there.

And that brings me to this post... I'm going to be sharing these healthy recipes that are Weight Watchers approved.

My first post is my FAVORITE recipe to date, and that might be because it revolves around sweets and sometimes I really just need that sweet fix.

I found multiple recipes for different, low point cupcakes but these are the easiest to make as well as the lowest point intake.

This recipe calls for two ingredients: 12oz of soda and a box of cake mix.

Now, I know this isn't the healthiest recipe because soda=bad but they're still only 1 Weight Watcher point so they're ok for me right now!

You may also be saying: soda? and cake mix? GROSS and that's what I thought at first but my goodness I was wrong!



Here are the very simple steps:

1. Combine 12oz of diet soda and the box of cake mix
2. Spoon the mix into the cupcake tins (make sure you make 20 cupcakes because then they'll be more than 1 point)
3. Bake for 10-15 minutes (I usually don't time my baking and just stick a fork in the middle to see if any cake mix is still wet)
4. Viola! You are DONE and you have 20 delicious 1 point cupcakes to eat!




Now, there is a bit of rhyme and reason to baking these; basically, you combine a dark soda with a dark cake mix and a light soda with a light cake mix.

I've baked a few different versions of these cupcakes: vanilla cake mix and diet Sprite; chocolate cake mix and diet coke; and the ones pictured here, red velvet with diet coke.

Pro tip: let them cool completely before eating because since there is no egg or oil, they fall apart easily so being as firm as possible after baking is key.

They taste delicious and aren't too sweet, but also aren't bland. You can't taste the soda and you'll wonder why you haven't tried these sooner!

Happy tasting :) 
xoxo
B

This post is brought to you by HBO and Her Campus Media

If you know me, you know that I love television. I am never without the TV on, and even if I'm watching Youtube videos, the TV is on in the background. Even though it's not good, I also sleep with my television on and I don't know how I will ever kick that bad habit.

I've always been that way; my mom and I were actually just talking about the fact that I grew up with a television in my room, and it was just something that was ok in our house. Occasionally, we even had the TV in the kitchen (my grandma still has a TV in the kitchen) -- we are just a TV family.

Even if I'm constantly running around during the week, and then coming home at night and blogging or writing for another site, I always make sure that I catch up on my favorite shows. TV is just part of my life and it's not something I'm willing to sacrifice.

My typical day starts out with my commute to work on the subway, and then I'm at work from 9-5. I get back on the train to journey home and then once I get home, it's usually a mix of dinner, shower, hair and nails, some writing and blogging and then I settle down to watch TV in my bed.

In between dinner, showering, doing my hair and nails, writing and blogging, the TV is on so I do get some catch-up time but once I'm settled in and I can devote all my attention to one thing, it's usually television.

I'm always recording things on my DVR and watching them on the weekends, or my new favorite thing to do is to catch up on movies and shows on HBO Now.



I was always a lover of HBO and I guess I owe that to my main chick, Carrie Bradshaw.

When I was younger, I always knew that I would have to be 'older' to watch HBO because my parents loved watching The Sopranos and my mom loved Sex and the City. When I was finally old enough to embark on my own HBO journey, I was ecstatic.

As HBO became bigger and better, I started watching more shows: Girls, Big Little Lies and True Detective are my top favorites. Plus HBO has all the best movies that you can't find anywhere else. I mean, if I want to watch La La Land, Serendipity (the best Christmas movie), or Fantastic Beasts they have it.

HBO NOW is the best because it has everything and anything you'd ever want to watch. It has every episode of every HBO show and every documentary as well as having the best and biggest movies (like La La Land) before they're available anywhere else.



Clearly, my favorite thing to catch up on the HBO NOW app is Sex and the City. No matter where I am, I can get a fix of Carrie Bradshaw. It's perfect because SATC has always been my go-to whenever I'm feeling down or need a little inspiration, so whenever I need that boost, my girls are there.

The best thing about HBO NOW is that you truly can watch it anywhere. The app on both my iPhone and iPad gets a workout, especially on my commute *thank you unlimited data*. Sex and the City makes the subway rides go much faster and brightens up my mood.

What I am going to take full advantage of now that I have HBO NOW? Binge watching shows I haven't been caught up on, like Game of Thrones.

Everyone and their mother has been talking about GOT and I think it's time I try my hand at it. Thankfully HBO NOW has the entire series so I'll be all caught up in no time *maybe...*

If you're a TV lover, I highly recommend looking into HBO NOW; it just makes life a little easier and a little more fun.

If you're in college, go to you HBOGo.com to see if your school has free HBO GO on campus; if your school isn't available, go to HBONOW.com/student for a discount!

What's your favorite HBO Show?
xoxo
B
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This post is a little past due because of my personal stuff that happened last week. A little update on the robbery... the police are going to be looking further into it because it's something that's been going on in my otherwise safe neighborhood.

Unfortunately, my insurance company doesn't cover stolen goods so I'm out of luck on getting any money from it. I've begun to repurchase most of the stuff that was in the bag that I actually need, like planners and wallets but other things like the makeup bag, Henri Bendel and Louis Vuitton notebooks won't be repurchased as of now.

All of that aside, I'm happy November is finally here. Aside from October, November is my favorite month because of my birthday, Thanksgiving, and the start of the Christmas season.

I was happy with the October that did just pass, though, because so much good stuff happened. I was very busy every weekend with fun things with family and friends, hence why I took a break this past weekend and just relaxed. I had a lot of blogging, writing, and catch up to play; plus I had to get my butt to the gym because I didn't go once in October.

I did some shopping this month and would've been including some of the items in this post but most of the stuff was in my stolen bag. (LOL). This notebook and this (similar) makeup bag were my two favorites,
but for now here are the things that I currently have and have been loving.




Evil Queen Fall Candles: I was ready for Halloween on October 1st and one of my favorites was definitely Hocus Pocus. My favorite thing to do was to light one of my Evil Queen fall/Halloween candles and watch Hocus Pocus every.single.day. I went through three of them this month: Bitches Brew, Resting Witch Face, and Squad Ghouls. They smelled so good, weren't overpowering and the fun colors added to my Halloween decor. They're AWESOME.


Free Spirit Fringe Notebook: I got this in a past POPSUGAR Must Have Box and when I got it, I was equally excited and disappointed because  I did not need another notebook. It wasn't getting much use until I realized how I could utilize it. This is now my every day, everything notebook. I've been making list after list, doodling, and just writing everything I could in this notebook and it's been keeping me super organized. My Henri Bendel notebook that was stolen was supposed to replace this but I figured that I'd just use this in place of that for now. It's so nice to have a normal size notebook (and not a mini Louis Vuitton) to really write things down and flip through pages.

Below are a few other notebooks that could make great 'everything' notebooks:




Kate Spade Noveau York Travel Mug: I didn't need a new travel mug but I couldn't pass up this new print from Kate Spade. I bought it late September and have been nonstop using it ever since. It keeps my coffee really warm and doesn't spill (as long as you put the top on correctly), so I've really been enjoying it.



Kate Spade Cameron Street Perforated Lane: I have been wanting this bag since it was released and when it went on sale, I finally got it. This bag is probably the most beautiful one I have in my collection and the light pink 'dolce' color is perfect and so different. The bag is rather large but feels small and fits everything! It's very lightweight so even when it does have a lot of stuff inside, it doesn't weigh down my shoulder. I did a reveal and mini-review in one of my videos this month so take a look. I'll be sure to do a full handbag review soon!

*If you want the perforated version, I recommend going ASAP because there is only Black and Deep Plum left!

What did you love this month?
xoxo
B

Happy Friday!

This week went by very fast but then Thursday came and it felt like it was moving at a glacial pace.

 Does getting robbed make the days move faster? I feel like it does...

Yes, if you missed Tuesday's post, my bag was robbed from my car. It had everything but the kitchen sink in it and I was pretty devastated. It was violating and even though it was just 'stuff', it was rattling.

I've started the process of replacing all my belongings that were in the bag and even used a smaller bag for work this week, which was great because I got more use out of one of my favorite Kate Spade bags.

In other news, I purchased a new blog planner for 2018 and I cannot wait for it to get here. I've been very conflicted on how I want to plan for the blog because I think I'm getting a little tired of my old method. 

I get bored easily, clearly, so I always try to shake things up a bit. I think my Louis Vuitton agenda is just too small and I don't like printing my own pages.

Onto other things...

November is finally here but yesterday was 70 degrees and today it's supposed to be 72 degrees. I was freezing this week, slept with 2 blankets and the heat on. It was GLORIOUS and I was so happy... maybe that's why the week went fast? But now we're back to the weird climate change weather and I'm miz again.



This weekend will be spent at the gym, buying some new, November candles, and relaxing. I'll also be doing some writing and hopefully be productive.

Here's what I loved this week:

• Daylight Savings Time is this weekend... here's what you need to know.
• The full moon is coming and it's going to cause some trouble
• I love a good overnight mask
• Did you know that there are a lot of Scorpios in the fashion industry? Very interesting 
• Cold weather drinks... bring it on!