It's the 13th week of the year so I guess that might be why I was so out of it this week. Mercury also went into retrograde last weekend so that probably has something to do with it too.

I wasn't in a bad mood this week, it just felt really long and unnecessary. I was exhausted, felt like I was getting a cold, and just felt like the days dragged on forever and ever.

I was awaiting the weekend with bated breath and I'm so happy it's finally here. I was going to to go the Drybar this morning but after getting home from work a little late last night, I washed my hair and cancelled the appointment.

I was exhausted but woke up at 1 AM when I heard my mom come in from her friend's biirthday dinner -- I was then up until 2:30. I paid my bills and did some shopping, which is an issue.

I still have to do a post all about my semi successful no buy.

Anyways...

I got the writers itch again this week, and once again did nothing about it. I'm so tired of my laziness taking over my ambition, and my writer's block is constatntly getting in the way. I need to do something because I have so much inside me that is busting to get out.

A few new beauty items I've been loving
I don't want to ramble too much so we'll just get into the links I loved this week.


Here's what you missed on Royally Pink:

Make sure to sign up for The Beaute Report, and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Have a great Easter/Passover weekend, everyone! :) 
xoxo
B


I've always been a lover of Etsy, ever since I joined a sorority in college and ordered a lot of monogrammed items from there.

As I've gotten older, I've found other needs for Etsy, like home decor or planning, or really just anytihng random. Etsy is like Amazon, it has everything and anything you're looking for.

Over the past few months I feel like I've been shopping a lot on Etsy, for various things and it's become my go-to for anything cute and fun I feel like I need in my life.

Here are some of my favorites:



1. Sleepy Cottage Eye Mask: I've been obsessed with sleeping eye masks lately and I wanted to glam it up. That's when I stumbled on Sleepy Cottage. They have the cutest eye masks with adorable sayings and a few other accessories like Breakfast at Tiffany's ear plugs and cute bracelets. It's a must-see shop and I highly recommend the sleep masks. They're very comfortable and adorable!

2. Minted Sugar Inserts: If you have a planner that you build yourself, the only inserts to buy are Minted Sugar. They're minimalistic, very customizable, and beautiful. I've tried making my own inserts (meaning printing them and punching holes in them myself) and the Minted Sugar route is so much better. I use them in my mini LV agendas and my MM Agenda - I have the marble to do lists, marble mini lined pages, rose lined pages, monthly layouts, and dated detail weekly layouts. They're always releasing new pages and it's a must-try!

3. Blogger Templates: I find all my templates for the blog on Etsy. My latest one is from the shop Best for the Blog. All the templates come with instructions on how to install and they're just so easy -- yes, they aren't custom made and you may find a few other blogs with the same layout but they're great for beginner blogs or someone who likes a different look every so often.




4. Wall Art: I've bought all my wall decor on Etsy -- some have been digital downloads straight from Etsy, others I got shipped to me. I like being able to print them myself because it gives me more flexibility on switching things up and they're cheaper LOL. My favorite to date has been this Carrie Bradshaw closet one -- I NEED the apartment print next. 

These are just a few of my current Etsy favorites!

What are your favorite finds from Etsy?
xoxo
B
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I've always had an extensive jewelry collection and storing it has always been an issue for me.



I've had every jewelry box under the sun, and even had a small mannequin stand to house all my pieces. However, nothing ever seemed good enough for me.

When I moved into this new apartment almost two years ago, I knew I wanted to be able to see all my jewelry so I could wear it all. I have a hard time using things I can't see. I also have a hard time wearing all my jewelry. I always go through phases where I don't want to wear certain types of jewelry. Right now, I can't stand wearing anything but rings and earrings... but I still want the option of knowing what I have in my collection.





When I moved in, I had the perfect idea. In my little shelving unit, where I house all of my lipsticks, I have the first shelf as my jewelry shelf.

My necklaces are divided amongst the metals; so I have silver hooks, rose gold hooks, and gold hooks. I love this type of organization because it makes everything so easy.

I have all my necklaces hung up on the side of the shelf, hanging on clear command hooks. My bracelets are in one jewelry dish while my rings are in a few others. (I have a lot of rings). My earrings lay in  4th jewelry dish, and this ensures that I can see all my pieces and have them go in and out of rotation.

It's not a really unique organization system but it works for me. Everything is seperated, on display, and gets used (when I'm in the mood). It's working for me for now!

Shop more trays and organization systems below:



How do you organize your jewelry to make sure everything is getting used?
xoxo
B
Ever since I was little, I always really liked astrology. I loved reading my horoscope and using it as a guide for my days.

When I was in college, my sorority sister was very much into astrology and she wouldn't even talk to a guy if he wasn't a compitable sign with her. While I'm not THAT much into astrology, she definitely rubbed off on me.

I started becoming obsessed with horoscopes, following everything very closely and even learning more about my sign and the characteristics of myself and other people.

I think the reason I am so interested in astrology is because it gives meaning to otherwise mundane things. Having the planets be the reason for things happening here on Earth give some sort of comfort to those who believe. Like there is something else controlling us -- it's very weird to think about but it's my truth.

One of my favorite parts about astrology is Mercury Retrograde (which we are in right now) and seeing how it really affects communication, travel, and technology in our everyday lives. I really do believe in it, and I will try to minimze big decisions, purchases, and any types of controversial communcation during these days.

The trains, my computer, and phone are always a mess during Mercury Retrograde and I whole hearedly believe that this is all true.

Astrology goes even deeper with what the planets mean and do, the full moon cycles and how they affect us, and truly anyhting else related to the planets and stars.



There is a lot more I want to learn, and I think I just need to find the time to really sit down and study it.

I do have the resources; a while back I bought the book 'Bedside Astrologer' and this is great for beginnners because it gives you everything in very easy terms and goes through all the signs and characteristics, and then it breaks down everything in terms of romance, and then gives you more information on the planets and how to read your horoscope and what certain things mean.



Another book I have my eye on is called "The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need". I saw it on Instagram and it looks like the next level verison of Bedside Astrologer and looks really wonderful.

All in all, I think astrology is super cool and it's something I've never talked about here on the blog and I thought it was time!

You don't have to take it seriously but it is something fun to take part in and it really makes you think about the world in a different way.

Are you into astrology? What are your thoughts?
xoxo
B
GUEST POST: by Melissa Lobo
Melissa is a young and energetic writer, a mom to a sweet little boy, and a fur-mom to two perfect pooches. Before becoming the Associate Content Director for Project Female, she was a journalist specializing in topics related to women in politics and policy affecting women.


Anybody would love to look and feel beautiful. Anybody would love to have perfect skin, a perfect body, perfect facial features and so on. And because so many people want to improve their physical appearance and overall health, companies have found an opportunity to do business by meeting the demands of those who want to feel good--both inside and out. 

Today, there’s a plethora of beauty supplements in the market--all promising great looks (or at least, an improvement) for those who desire them. Whether they be for the face, skin or body, supplements are continuously being developed to enhance anything that consumers want to improve in themselves. 

For instance, breast pills have gained popularity among those who desire bigger breasts, or who’d like them to be more proportionate to their body or body type. There are also skin supplements which are meant to make your skin look healthier, younger. There are likewise dietary supplements for those who want to shed pounds but are often too busy or tired to go to the gym. And while there are so many brand names and types of supplements available in the market, it can be hard to figure out what suits you best.

Credit

In Pursuit of Beauty
There seem to be a lot of options when it comes to health and beauty supplements, and choosing what will best work for you can be a little confusing, possibly even overwhelming. So, if you’d like to try the power of beauty supplements, here’s a guide to help you get started.

  1. Multivitamins. Yes, you have to start with multivitamins. If you think that multivitamins are just taken to strengthen your immune system, combat disease and keep up your energy, then you’re only partly right. Multivitamins play a huge part in making you look young and beautiful: As the experts say, if you are healthy on the inside, it will reflect on the outside.
When you are well, your skin glows, your hair is lustrous, and you don’t look haggard or stressed out. Multivitamins are effective and useful in filling in the nutritional gaps caused by the lack of nutrients in your diet. Whether we like it or not, we need to face the truth that we don’t always eat the foods that are meant to keep us at optimum health, and we love eating empty calories from food that’s essentially junk, much of it processed. 

A good multivitamin provides your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs. While most of the reliable brands aren’t cheap, you are guaranteed that you get what you pay for.

  1. Biotin. Biotin, which is also known as Vitamin H, is essential for keeping your hair strong and healthy. When you’re stressed out, it becomes evident in the condition of your hair. Biotin supplements help keep your hair, nails, and skin stay healthier.  Also sometimes referred to as “hair food,” biotin is highly recommended for those who have brittle hair and those suffering from hair loss.
  1. Lysine. Supplementing your diet with lysine is highly recommended for those who experience significant hair loss, which can be especially evident while you’re taking a shower. Lysine is an amino acid that helps build protein; it is good for the hair because your hair is composed exactly of -- well-- protein. Aside from fortifying your hair, lysine also makes your scalp healthy and can stimulate hair growth. 
  1. Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A compound which aids in the development of new skin. Even those who have dry skin are strongly encouraged to supplement their diet with retinol. Not only that. Apart from your skin, you can benefit from the fact that retinol is also a supplement for the brain. It boosts memory and enhances learning ability, which is why it is also recommended for students.
  1. Ceramides. Ceramides are often seen in topical products and are rarely found in oral form. This supplement is also for the skin, especially for those who have eczema and dry skin.
  1. Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential to your body. Aside from helping you fight common sickness and infections, vitamin C aids in the healing of skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It has the ability to reduce cell damage and can act as an antioxidant. And the reason why most adults are encouraged to take vitamin C is because it can slow down the aging process.
  1. Fish Oil. Experts recommend fish oil for various purposes including weight loss, skin regeneration, hair growth and even certain psychological disorders. However, high and frequent doses can be dangerous because it contains high level of toxins so make sure that you consult your doctor to find the right dosage for you.
  1. Manuka Honey. Manuka honey is not the typical honey because it contains higher levels of enzymes. It is effective in treating acne, so if you have a breakout, you can use manuka honey as a supplement. You can take it directly, mix it with tea, or use it as a mask at least once a week.
  1. Spearmint. Spearmint is also an excellent solution for acne because of its anti-inflammatory properties. You can take spearmint as capsules or you can drink spearmint tea to cure or prevent acne. However, having too much of spearmint can be dangerous to your liver so make sure you don’t use it excessively. 
  1. Vitamin E. Vitamin E is also considered as a skin vitamin because it is an antioxidant which means that it has the ability to destroy free radicals. It is effective in slowing down the signs of aging and is helpful in preventing heart disease. This vitamin is what you need if you want to achieve a clearer complexion and younger looking skin because it reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin E can also treat sunburn and as well as acne.
  1. Zinc. Zinc, just like Vitamin E, also promotes clearer complexion. It reduces the appearance of scars and pimple marks, and is also useful in preventing or treating acne. Zinc is essential in collagen production which aids in skin growth and repair.
  1. Vitamin D. Vitamin D is popular for helping the body absorb calcium, but it can also treat skin irritation and inflammation. You might want to supplement your diet with this vitamin during the colder months because it is effective in treating flaking and itching of the skin.


Now that the use of supplements to achieve better health and beauty has gained more popularity, it is crucial that you have knowledge about them to ensure correct usage and to maximize their benefits.
Friday night is here again and I'm listening to Barstool Radio from this afternoon, watching The Social Network, and trying to figure out if I want to keep the Amazon Fire Tablet that I just bought.

My iPad mini has been going really slow and losing battery very quickly so I figured I'd buy the Fire tablet to compare. I'm not loving it so it may go back.

Does anyone have a Fire tablet? What do you think? Let me know below!

This week was decent -- we had a snowday on Wednesday, the first full day of Spring and I went to work for a few hours and finished the rest of the day here at home.



I also recently purchased the Pilates Pro Chair from QVC and have been working out on it every day since last Friday, and my goodness it is kicking my ass. My entire body is killing me -- I can barely lift my arms or find a comfortable position to sleep in.

I don't have much else to report, expect for that I uploaded a new Youtube video over the weekend. See it below and subscribe to my channel!



Here's What I Loved This Week:

What You Missed on Royally Pink:

Sign up for The Beaute Report, read Breaking Bradshaw, subscribe to Youtube

Have a great weekend!
xoxo
B


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As I mentioned in last week's Book Review Wednesday, I'm really into books. I've finished like 4 books in the past few days, whether that was audiobooks or real books, but I'm making great headway.

I've learned that I read faster when I have an actual book so I've been upping the hardcover (or paperback) book game.

However, this was the last audiobook I read and it really threw me for a loop.

I'm not really sure where I heard about "Pretty Girls Dancing" from but I'm glad I did. It's the classic kidnapping story where a missing girl sends everyone into a frenzy.

You have her parents, her sister, and the local cop all giving their POV throughout the book which creates some depth and gives you more insight into how people are dealing with this tragedy.



However, this book is slightly different because it deals with a serial kidnapper and two missing girls.

Whitney goes missing after meeting a boy she talked to online, and the town wonders if this is the same kidnapper that took Kelsey, 7 years ago.

We see Kelsey's parents and sister's POV and how the kidnapping of Whitney is affecting them. We also get an inside look at how they've dealt with their missing daughter/sister over the past 7 years.

Kelsey has massive social anxiety, her mother is a borderline drug addict, and her father is a workaholic.

Then we have Mark Foster, the detective on Whitney's case who is doing his best to find the missing girl alive. When he starts to notice a few similar things between Whitney and Kesley's cases, he does some deep digging to figure out the case and hopefully bring both girls home alive.

I really enjoyed this book and I found myself speeding up the reading rate to find out what happened even faster. I basically couldn't stop listening and even when I was so close to finding out the truth, I had to listen to the end of the book at home (I am very strict in that I only listen to audiobooks on my commute but this couldn't wait).

I thought all the characters were well developed without having too much detail because really, the story wasn't about them. You also read quite a bit in Whitney's point of view, and you so badly were rooting for her against the kidnapper.

I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop in terms of goriness but I was glad that this book didn't have any sexual abuse. Sometimes, that really sends me over the edge so a good classic, kidnapping is fine with me.

You will have your ideas through the book who the kidnapper is, and the author will even throw you off a few times but when you do find out, it's well worth it and is a juicy little twist.

This wasn't too dark and twisted but had some nice mystery elements to it so I recommend, even if this genre doesn't thrill you (pun intended).

What are you currently reading?
xoxo
B
It's officially one of my least favorite seasons. My time of the year is over and it's the other people's turn.

That's ok because once Christmas is over, I'm a little bit over winter as well. We've been hit with some weird AF weather lately here in New York, but I have a feeling even though Spring is here, that won't be going away.

I am a little sick of wearing my boots and I'm ready for a pair of ballet flats. I also am over my big winter jackets and just want to wear a denim jacket. So I guess in a way, I'm ready for spring. I also really want an iced coffee and I refuse to drink them in the winter.

I have weird rules.

When spring comes, there are always new trends to try and things to buy and I'm feeling the burn.

Right now, there are so many wearable trends, both in fashion and beauty. I'm kind of obsessed with all of them, at least the ones that I'm going to talk to you about today.



Fashion:

  • Mules: This is a trend that we're recycling from last fall and I'm ready for it now. I already picked up these Gucci dupes from Target and I need the all leather pair ASAP. 
  • Flowers: Florals for Spring, groundbreaking! But really, it is groundbreaking. I don't think I've seen florals for a while, and this season it's all about flowers. This trend is very present in Kate Spade's latest collection for March; there are flowers everywhere! I usually hate flowers but I'm feeling it this year.
  • Satin: Another trend leftover from fall -- satin. We saw satin & velvet all through fall and winter and we're continuing that. I don't have anything satin, but I know I want to try something. Maybe a nice satin shirt will make it's way into my collection this season. 
  • Kitten Heels: I never thought I'd see this trend come back but I guess everything returns at some point. I don't know how I feel about this one, though. I want to like it because I hate wearing heels so maybe a kitten heel would do me some good? I might try it! Stay tuned.
  • White Shoes: This isn't a trend I could pull off but I love how it looks on another people. Katey McFarlan/Hellman wore white booties in a blog post last week and she rocked them HARD. I love this! 


  • Mini Bags: Now we're talking my language. I have a lot of mini bags in my collection but these circle bags are all the rage and I'm loving how people are styling them. Mini bags have been around for a while and I don't think they'll be going anywhere soon.


Beauty:

  • Glitter: Glitter is everywhere and I LOVE IT. I love some glitter in my life and it's bringing back so much nostalgia for me. I think glitter on the eyes or even in your highlight can be done really tastefully.
  • Rose Gold/Gold Highlighters: Is this a new trend? I saw it everywhere on every trends list but I feel like I've been rocking this for years! Well, if you haven't, welcome to the best thing ever. I love rose gold & gold highlighters and I don't think there is much else that I wear. They go with every look and add a bit of piazz to your look.
  • Ultra Violet: Pantone named Ultra Violet the color of the year, so obviously you're going to see it everywhere and anywhere. You can incorporate this with other shades of purple, and use it in your eyeshadow, eyeliner, lips, or even your blush. Get creative with it! It's a wearable color while still being a little fun and different. 


  • Glossy Lips: Glossy lips are BACK! I love my matte lips so much, and I'll still be rocking my Kylie Lip Kits till the day I die, but I'm feeling the glossy lips. I have never been a gloss person but I have found a new formula that I cannot get enough of. I can't tell you what they are YET but I recommend tuning in for my favorites post next week to find out.
I haven't done an updated makeup storage post in years.

My original post was more of a review of the Alex Drawers from Ikea, which I still use but since I moved, the way I store my makeup has changed. Mostly because I have more space, and I have a lot more makeup.

With Spring being this week, I figured it was a great time to talk about organization. Organizing is one of my favorite things in the world. It calms me down and clears my mind.

I was super anxious over the weekend and felt like I needed to do something so I went through my closet, got rid of some things and reorganized it. I felt like a new person. That being said, I'm also planning to redo my room a little so once that is done, I'll do a little updated room tour.

Now, for the real reason we're here -- makeup.

My beauty bug has really subsided in recent months. Nothing was inspiring me, I wasn't wearing that much makeup and just wasn't feeling anything new. I'm also still going on my no buy, which I'll do another post on once it's over when Lent ends on March 29th.

However, in the past few weeks I've hit my beauty reset button so this is a perfect time to do this post!

Let's start with my lipsticks.




I have a shelving unit in the corner of my room, and store my lipsticks on a shelf there because I have too many. I keep my liquid lipsticks, glossse, chubby crayons, in a variety of different containers and empty candle holders.



On the other side of the shelf, I have all my perfumes, including mini samples that I get from Sephora orders.



Then, my regular lipsticks sit on a spinning tower on the cubby shelves that hold my handbags. This makes for easy access and adorable decor.



Now we move over to my desk area where one half is reserved for beauty stuff.

This little tray is a new addition to my desk because I felt like I needed something to contain the overflow of beauty stuff that was on my desk. It has been amazing for organizing myself and it acts as a little decor that I love.




Here, I keep the skincare I'm using, any supplments that I'm taking, and my makeup brushes. I also have some pretty makeup prodcuts like my Huda Beauty Foundation, my YSL Touche Eclat Blur and the Herbivorve Rose Spray.

I also have a little ring dish that my friend got me for Christmas that I keep lipgloss, pins, or hairties in as a touch of decor.


It's time for the big guy -- my Alex Ikea Drawers. Where I keep everything is the same as it was a few years ago, but what's on top has changed a bit.



I have an acrylic drawer set that I bought off of Amazon and it's amazing. I personally do not think you need an expensive Glambox or any other name brand acrylic drawer set -- Amazon is where it's at.

In there, I have my items spilt up into 6 sections:







  • The first drawer is where I have my brow products and all my concealers. 
  • The second drawer I have some random makeup products and then mascara
  • The third drawer is filled with all kinds of random makeup products like lip balms, mini beauty blenders, and eyeshadow crayons.
On the top of the acrylic drawers is where I have all my foundations, primers, and hair care. On the side is where I keep eyeliners, lip liners, and lip treatments or any other random items.



Now, for inside the Alex Drawers:






  • First drawer: all my nail products (the last time I did this post, my drawer didn't open all the way but I've since fixed that)
  • Second drawer: Main makeup drawer; blushes, setting powders, highlighters, brownzers, travel size products
  • Third drawer: All skincare and whatever haircare didn't fit on the acrylic unit. 
  • Fourth drawer: Face, eye, or cheek palettes (I need to stop buying palettes because I have too many and they don't fit)
  • Fifth drawer: My junk drawer. I keep most of my sheet and eye masks in here, as well as 'extra' beauty products and any larger palettes that don't fit in my palette drawer.
That's it! That's how I store my makeup, and a sneak peek into my makeup collection! 

How do you store your makeup?

xoxo
B

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TGIF! I'm working from home today because I thought I truck hit me when I woke up. I had a migraine, a very stuffy nose, and my eyes were swollen. I just needed a day, I guess. I still don't feel 100% so we'll see what happens!

Either way, this week was a good one. I got a promotion at work (!!!) and was so thrilled with it. It really is nice to know that you're valued and appreciated in the work you do everyday so that was really a great way to push my reset button.

I also broke my no buy to get some new underwear, socks, and bras from Aerie & Kate Spade. Those are neccessities, even though they're a bit more luxurious than the common Target run. However, one luxury I did treat myself too (with money I got as a gift so does it count?) was a YSL Card Case. It was my own little treat for getting a promotion and working really hard.



I started the week off with brunch in Astoria with my college roommates, and best friends. It was so nice to get out and spend a beautiful Sunday with my favorite people. We went to Chip NYC and it was the best cookie I have ever eaten -- it rivals Levian Bakery in Manhattan. 

If you're in the area, I highly recommend checking them out! 

As good as a week is, it's always nice to see the weekend. I feel like I have a lot to do-- make doctors appointments, clean my room, clear my drawers... just things that slip through the cracks during the week.
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My love of fitness trackers is no secret. I've had a FitBit, a Kate Spade Tracker, and a Ringly. However, a few months ago I stopped using all of them. I was bored of them, and they kind of lost their luster. I also hated wearing them because they either clashed with everything or they bothered me aka I was lazy.

I had given up on activity trackers until I saw that Kate Spade was coming out with a Touchscreen Smart Watch. I had been very intrigued by the Apple Watch but never felt like it was worth it.

Then, I saw the Kate Spade smartwatch and I fell in love. I pre-ordered it back in January and it came the first week of February.

I've been using it for a solid month and I am obsessed!

It uses Andriod technology but is compitable with the iPhone(s). It tracks your steps, gives you notifcations from your phone, check the weather, and you can even log your workouts. You can download different apps from the Google Play Store and it's basically like your phone on your watch.



One of my favorite parts is that you can change the watch faces. There's a few standard digital faces and then some fun analog ones (like the Daisy and the Taxi Cab). If you're not feeling any of those, you can create your own by changing the colors.

A very cool, unique and Kate Spade-y feature is that you can tell the watch what you're wearing, what time of day it is, and what color handbag you're using, and it'll come up with a watch face that matches your outfit.

It's so millennial and such a Clueless factor!

The face that I use the most is the Simple Analog Digital face because it has the number of steps as well as my calendar icon.

I didn't know how I would feel about having my texts and emails come up on the watch but it actually does have me look at my phone less. My phone is always on silent and I have my email notifications turned off, so I do look at my phone a lot to see if anything new comes up.

This way, I'm automatically notified if something comes in, and I can almost screen it to see if it's worth me picking up my phone.

For example, I was at my grandpa's over the weekend and he hates when I'm on my phone, so I was able to see if anything important came through on text and didn't have to answer right away.

*If you want to see a full overview of everything the watch can do, Kate Spade has a great video looking at every single feature!



I even wear it at the gym because I downloaded Google Fit which can track your workout. It really is the best of all worlds.

The watch isn't heavy, it's very comfortable, and pretty much looks good with everything.

If you've ever been curious about the Apple Watch, I highly recommend the Kate Spade Touchscreen Smart Watch! It's cheaper (I think) than the Apple Watch, more stylish, and is perfect for those Kate Spade lovers!
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