Today is my birthday so Happy Birthday to me! I'm 26 years old, closer to 30 than I am to 20 and that is a scary, horrible thought. My twenties have not been what I expected but 25 was better than most years!

During the past 365 days, I feel like I accomplished a lot while finding myself and finding more happiness. I got a promotion, published more writing, hooked some pretty cool brand deals, started dating someone, became more of myself while being less apologetic for who I am, and started making a plan for my life, in some way.

The past 6 years have been weird; graduating college, coming to terms with my anxiety, losing my dad, struggling in my career, getting over someone I loved -- it's been rough but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I finally feel like I know who I am, my personal life is flourishing, my writing is coming together and I actually feel like an adult. It's all about the baby steps! There are still so many things I want to do in my twenties and hopefully, I can knock a few off the bucket list in the next year.

Getting older is scary but I'm trying to enjoy my life and not dwell on the past. The future is bright and I'm ready for it.

That's my birthday speech... the rest of the week was filled with anticipation for my birthday (because I'm still a 5-year-old) and a little bit of anxiety. That's normally how the week after Thanksgiving goes for everyone!

Today I'll be celebrating my birthday by doing some shopping, buying some Christmas gifts, treating myself to Wendy's and then having my family over for dinner and cake tonight!

On a different note, I've gotten a lot of PR over the past few months and I've been stockpiling it for a giveaway. I figured what better way to celebrate my birthday than with a giveaway to all of YOU?!

I have two beauty prize packs up for grabs and you can enter to win below! You can enter to win one or both!

Prize Pack #1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize Pack #2

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends 12/7 so enter now! Good luck and thank you for always reading 
xoxo
B

My other favorite month is coming to an end and that means two things:

Kiss Instawave

Tory Burch Gemini Link Tote

Barefoot Dreams In The Wild Throw

This was the first audiobook I had listened to in a few months and boy it was a good one! I had been eyeing this one for a while and it was a great introduction back into audiobooks and thriller novels.

Her Every Fear is written by Peter Swanson and was published in March 2018. The novel follows the journey of a British woman named Kate Priddy (pronounced 'pretty') who switches apartments via 'The Holiday' with her cousin who lives in Boston.

Kate backstory is pretty gruesome and she is constantly filled with anxiety and fear over every little thing, which is why she was determined to make this life switch.

What she finds when she enters Boston and her cousin Corbin's apartment, is a murder investigation and a whole lot of secrets.



We see the point of view of the story switch between Kate and her neighbor Alan Cherney, who becomes very interested in Kate and the murder of their other neighbor, Audrey Marshall.

Later on in the story, we get a glimpse of what is going on with Corbin across the pond and the secrets he has been hiding.

Throughout the story, we are hit with one revelation after another and the ending will truly have you on the edge of your seat. It was also quite sad and kind of upset me.

I can't say too much else without giving away the entire story but I promise you, this was a great book! It kept me on the edge of my seat and one that I so desperately wanted to know the ending too. I also had no idea how it was going to end -- I'm usually really good at figuring out the endings of novels but this threw me for a loop.

It was the type of book that made you think one thing and then pulled the rug out from under you. The characters were well developed, the plot was incredible, and even though I listened to it, I know it was well written!

If you're looking for a book that will entice you, and keep your attention but was also easy to read I highly recommend "Her Every Fear."

xoxo
B

I never got the hang of gift guides and usually only do 2-3 per year but I like rounding up my favorite items to give different people in your life. I also like categorizing these guides because everyone in your life has their 'thing'.

My thing is the homebody and hygge.

I have always been a homebody. I'm someone who likes to stay home, relax, watch TV and just be chill. It's not even that I want to be alone because I like staying in with friends as well. After 4 years of continuously going out Thursday-Saturday (sometimes even Wednesdays), I'm exhausted from the bar scene. I've accepted that this is who I am and I'm done apologizing for it. I'm 25 years old and too old to care what people say about me and my homebody habits!

Also, hygge has been such a huge trend in the past few years and it's a lifestyle I love to live by! I wrote a post about it earlier this year but it's still something I practice and believe it. Everyone should hygge once in a while.

These are the things that I would love to be gifted as a fellow homebody and someone who loves to be cozy, chic, and at peace.

Barefoot Dreams Blanket

This is every blogger's favorite blanket and with very good reason. It's so incredibly comfortable, soft, and embodies everything I have ever wanted out of a blanket. After drooling over this blanket for years I finally purchased it via QVC (thank you, easy payments!) and have fallen in love with it. It's super cozy and just unlike anything you've ever touched before. All of Barefoot Dreams products are chic and cozy so your homebody would love anything by the brand!

J.Crew Factory Marbled Joggers

I stumbled upon these pants by accident; I was looking for a new pair of sweatpants and these looked like a good pick so I scooped them up. Well, I had no idea what I was in for! These are the most comfortable, delicious pants I've ever worn in my life. They feel like a mix between fleece and silk -- it's such a unique material and just very, very soft. I want to buy them in other colors too but one thing to be aware of is that they shed! Whenever I wear them, black fuzz appears all over my bedroom carpet. It's strange and I thought it would get better after washing but no such luck!

Candle Set

A candle set is a safe gift for anyone really, but it's an essential part to be cozy at home. I stock up on candles throughout the year but Christmas and winter are really my favorite times to burn! I think picking up a candle or two for your homebody is a great idea but what would be even more special is splurging a little on a luxe candle set, one that you know they wouldn't pick up for themselves!

Monq

Essential oils have become a huge part of the home and part of people's wellness routine. There is nothing I love more than cozying up in a blanket and diffusing some of my favorite essential oils to really set the mood. Now, we have personal essential oil diffusers which you can breathe in for an even better experience. Introducing Monq! These personal essential oil diffusers come in a variety of flavors that all use different oils to create a different feeling. I personally love the Zen and I think a nice gift set would be great for your homebody.

PS: Use code briana10 for 10% off your order -- it's good until 12/31 ;)

Salt Lamp

In the same realm of candles and Monq, a salt lamp creates a spa-like feeling in someone's home and also has some great health benefits. It's part decor, part health and wellness and all kinds of cozy!

When it comes to your hygge obsessed friend, any of these gifts will make them smile and then immediately want to hibernate!

What other gift guides would you want to see? Or let me know what hygge gifts you would want! 

Happy biggest shopping day of the year! I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving and are ready for a day of movies, leftovers and shopping.

My Christmas tree was already up before Thanksgiving (last weekend to be exact because my mom wanted to get it over with) but today I'll be decorating the rest of the house and I cannot wait. Christmas officially begins today, at least for me it does, and I want to soak up every last bit of it.



I'm planning on a lot of great Christmas/holiday content within the next month so definitely stay tuned for that!

We're also one week away from my 26th birthday so next week I will reflect on that as well as have an extra special surprise for all of you! This is just my favorite time of year and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

For this week's Royal Round Up, I think I'll skip the usual set up and just talk about the Black Friday deals I'm going to shop and show you what I plan to get. I will admit I've been planning for Black Friday since last week because I get super overwhelmed so I made about four different lists trying to figure things out.

Usually, it's really hard for me to figure out what the deals are going to be for each retailer as I try to plan what to buy but this year a lot of retailers made it easier by releasing their Black Friday deals early, as early as Tuesday! Therefore, I've already made a few purchases.

Here's what I'm planning on:

Rebecca Minkoff: 25% off $100+ with code THX25

Alex and Ani: 20% off all orders

Happy Thanksgiving! It's time for my favorite holiday and the official kick-off to the holiday season! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones; enjoy your delicious food and family time, and prep yourself for some shopping tomorrow!

Credit

This year has been a strange one and I have a lot to be thankful for. And for the 6th year in a row, I am so thankful for all of you who read Royally Pink! Thank you for making me a writer and for staying with me all these years. I love blogging and I never thought I could do it for this long. It's so fun and without you, none of it would be possible.

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo
B

Once the weather dips in temperature and the calendar strikes October, I am fully in Fall lip mode! It continues until about March when I have to put away all my dark colors but I savor every last bit of it.

Dark lipstick wasn't something I always loved but over the past few years, I've realized how cozy and chic they make me feel and look.  I fully blame Kylie Jenner for this as well because her liquid lipsticks are the reason I got hooked on this trend. Now, I wait all year to be able to rock a dark berry or brown lipstick.

I figured what better time to share my favorite cold weather lipsticks than right before Thanksgiving and of course, the biggest shopping day of the year!

From top to bottom: Twenty, French Press, Yum Yum, Latte, Velvet Teddy and Sex on the Peach

Too Faced Sex on the Peach

MAC Velvet Teddy in Matte

Anastasia Beverly Hills in Latte

Sephora Collection #Lipstories in Yum Yum

Bite Beauty French Press Lipgloss in French Press

Kylie Cosmetics Twenty Lip Kit

This was the month of Charlotte Tilbury products. I ordered three different products and have loved all of them! Charlotte Tilbury is really one of my favorite brands and I've slowly accumulated a few, all of which I have loved deeply.

In addition to the three Charlotte products, I picked up a new fragrance during the Sephora VIB Sale and I'm in love!

Replica 'By the Fireplace' Perfume

Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Lipstick

I've been obsessed with trying the Pillowtalk Lipstick, modeled after the famous CT lip liner for months and finally just bought it. I don't know what took me so long but wow, this IS the perfect lipstick. I love the shade 'Bitch Perfect' and it remains one of my top 5 favorite lip colors of all time because it always looks good and makes me feel good. Pillowtalk is slightly deeper and it is a matte finish but it's still a really good deep nude shade. UGH, it's perfection and I highly recommend it to anyone who is wondering about it.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Lip Liner

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer

What were your beauty favorites this month?
xoxo
B

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and has been for years. I think it's the fact that it kicks off the holiday season, it's around my birthday and it's centered around food. As I've gotten older, I've begun to appreciate celebrating at home with my family even more. We usually cater Thanksgiving (I know, it's pretty wild) and I make a side dish or two and dessert.

I love spending the night before Thanksgiving getting myself together, starting to cook and putting the final touches on the Thanksgiving tablescape. There is just something so special about this holiday and it really warms my heart.



Today I wanted to just talk about a few of my favorite things having to do with Thanksgiving from food and recipes to drinks, traditions, and decor! I wanted to bring the beauty of Thanksgiving straight to Royally Pink and of course, to all of you.

Food

Drinks

Decor

Outfit

We're in the middle of our first snowstorm and Thanksgiving is still a week away. This is the earliest snowstorm we've had in a while and I'm so excited about it! I didn't think that it was going to be this big a storm but wow, it came down fast. It was gorgeous and I think it was just the thing I needed to put me in the holiday spirit.

I haven't been in a Thanksgiving mood and I think it's because I haven't been in the right frame of mind. Now, with a week away and only 2 days of work until the break, I can really put myself in the mood for Thanksgiving and then Christmas.

My mom ordered a new Christmas tree and we put it up last night during the snowstorm and it was beautiful! We never put the tree up before Thanksgiving but it was a new tree and we wanted to make sure it looked good, and also we wanted to get rid of the shipping box.

As I type this I'm getting super nauseos and very tired so I'll get right into everything...

Links I Loved

• Essie's glitter polish collection has me drooling! 
• Some of the best Trader Joe's items to pick up this week
• The difference between a rut and the wrong career
• Some editors favorite beauty products of 2018
• Nanoinfluencers is the new buzz word and I'm SO HERE FOR IT.

What You Missed on Royally Pink 

What I Bought This Week

I had a Weight Watchers Wednesday scheduled for today but truthfully, it's just the same stuff every month. My weight fluctuates every 3 weeks, I'm still stuck at this stupid plateau and even gained two pounds last week. I'm trying but failing and I almost don't want to discuss it because I'm so disappointed in myself.




Which is why I nixed that post and decided to do an old-fashioned wishlist. My 26th birthday is coming up in a little more than two weeks (November 30th), then Christmas, and there are a lot of things I want. I start making a birthday/Christmas list around September (when I was younger it used to be August LOL) and the list keeps changing.

I will most likely be getting money from my family members which I want to save (and splurge on a few items) for my birthday but my family doesn't like getting me money for Christmas so I always give out a little list. Also, as always I will be treating myself! I've had some purchases planned for a while and I'm ready to finally pull the trigger on some of them.



My #1 item that I will be buying is the Louis Vuitton Denim Shawl. I've wanted it for so long and looking at photos of people wearing it makes me so happy. I long to be that fabulous so maybe the scarf will spruce up any outfits I have.



Another Louis Vuitton item I really have been wanting forever is a bandeau. I really want to add an adorable, small scarf to my collection and in reality, they aren't that expensive. I will definitely be trying to pick this one up within the next few weeks!



I also really want a new bag... or two or three. But really, when don't I want a new bag? I will be picking up the Rebecca Minkoff Edie Flap Shoulder bag. I've wanted it since it came out a few months ago and I think it's the most gorgeous grey bag. I love the quilting and it reminds me of a beloved Chanel bag that I will never get so why not? Rebecca Minkoff is underappreciated in my collection and I really want to start loving her bags again!

Those are my three must-haves but everything else I have my eye on is below... you can assume that most of these are Kate Spade items because have you met me or read the blog?

Kate Spade Wishlist

What is on your wishlist this year?
xoxo
B

There are certain bags that I only wear in the warm weather and bags I only wear in the cold weather. Of course, I have in between, all year round bags but there's always a few that are saved for the specific seasons.

I think I love cold weather handbags the most because there are so many different materials to choose from; fur, shearling, velvet, metallics -- the possibilites are endless!

Today I'm rounding up some favorite handbags I have in my collection that are reserved for October-March.

Kate Spade Finer Things Merry Backpack:

This was one of my Christmas presents last year and oh boy, how I immediately fell in love with it. This mini, furry backpack started my love affair with mini backpacks and I can't wait to start using it again! It's tiny, yes, but you'd be surprised at how much you can fit inside of it. Of course, the reason I only use this in cold weather is that it's furry. It's such a cozy bag that you can dress up or down; what I love about Kate Spade backpacks is that most of them, including this one, are convertible so you can wear it as a shoulder bag, crossbody, or backpack.

You can no longer get this but definitely look around eBay and Poshmark. Also, any furry backpack will give you the same, cozy cold weather effect!

Kate Spade Wink Face Felt Bag:

Rebecca Minkoff Velvet Bag: 

Velvet had a moment last year and it's still going strong. I picked up this bag during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale last summer and truthfully, didn't use it too much last winter. However, my mom and sister used it a TON and they've kind of inspired me to use it a little more this year! It's pink, which in my opinion is neutral because all I wear is black and it can be very dressed up. I also have no problem wearing this on a simple night out and who knows, maybe I'll use it to run a few errands once the snow comes! Once again, it's no longer available but there are a TON on Poshmark!

Kate Spade Cameron St Flock Roses Binx:

I was debating putting this bag in this post because I don't know if I'm going to only use this during the cold months. However, now that I'm typing this out, I definitely will only be using this in the fall and winter. The velvet roses are the focus of the bag in my opinion and the reason I so badly wanted this mini backpack so yes, it's definitely a cold weather handbag.

I have barely stopped using this bag and it's become a top 5 favorite very quickly. I'll do a full bag review soon but you can read some more in my October Favorites post.

More Cold Weather Handbags:

Happy Friday! We are one step closer to Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season. It doesn't really feel like the start of the holiday season though... I feel like I really need to put myself in the mood; maybe it's because I was so hyped up for Fall to arrive and now it's here? Very strange...

Once I set the table for Thanksgiving, I think we'll be in business!

I'm working from home today and have a fun weekend planned! I'm going out for a lowkey dinner and drinks to celebrate my friend's engagement and her passing the bar exam! These are real-life adult things!

I have other stuff to do this weekend and then next week is my last full week of work until December! I have a nice, extra long Thanksgiving vacation the following week and I'm super pumped up!

My birthday is also coming up and I'm super excited about that! There's a lot of good things happening... I just hope it stays that way.

Anyways, here are the links I loved this week! 

What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week

Career books are my favorite genre at the moment and this one has been on my list for a while. I will not lie, the fashion illustration on the cover really drew me in.

"How To Be an Overnight Success" was written by the founder of Rodial, a successful beauty company that is used by the likes of Makeup By Mario and other high-end influencers. She started the company on her own and this book tells you how she did it, and the trials and tribulations of starting the beauty business in her home... when she didn't know anything about making beauty products.

It was interesting to hear about how Maria started the company and how she figured everything out on her own. I didn't know anything about Rodial and haven't tried any of the products, but I was still curious how someone with no beauty experience decided to take this leap.

She was an entrepreneur who took a risk and it paid off!

The book was well written, nicely outlined and a very quick read! I read it in a few days and it was very easy to follow. I really like how she summarized the chapter and shared a 'secret' at the end of it -- it wrapped everything up nicely and it was a really nice addition to the book.

One of my favorite parts of the book was when she talked about creating Nip + Fab, a younger branch of Rodial that is targeted to millennials. I had no idea that she was behind Nip + Fab until I started reading the book. I loved reading how Maria scored Kylie Jenner to front the campaign of Nip + Fab (I remember when Kylie first promoted the Dragon Blood serum and I wanted it so badly just because Kylie used it... advertising at its finest!)

I did really enjoy the book but compared to other career books, it felt kind of flat. It wasn't so much of an advice book than a memoir and record of Maria's life and journey. There definitely was advice weaved into the book which was nice but there are better career books out there, in my opinion!

It was still a decent read and I think if you're curious, head to the library or download a sample of it onto your iPad, Nook or Kindle!

Have you read "How to Be an Overnight Success"? What were your thoughts?
xoxo
B