Oh June, what a month that passed in the blink of an eye. I don't even know what happened this month -- my work-life balance was in the toilet, I saw friends, I did some home projects and my mental health felt a lot better than it has. 

It was a fine month -- nothing of importance but I've had worse. I'm excited for July though! My mom is moving so I'll be busy helping her; I'm planning on more home projects and would love to find a pool to swim in. Pools are truly my happy place and I always feel so relaxed and tired after swimming all day. 

I would also love to focus more on my life, which sounds really weird. I've been very disconnected from the things that make me happy over the past few months like reading, writing, and being with friends. I feel like I don't have the mental capacity to do anything besides scroll on my phone. I've felt like this for a while and I think I hit a little bit of a breaking point this month. It's like being frozen in time, when you know you want to do other things but can't help but scroll and scroll and scroll...

We'll see if July changes things for me! 

Orgasm Afterglow Lip Balm: When I saw that NARS was releasing a bunch of Orgasm products I knew that I had to have the Afterglow Lip Balm. The orgasm shade in a lip balm? With pretty pink metal packaging? Yes, please! I ordered it the moment it went on sale and have really worn nothing on my lips since. It has a barely there pink color, a little bit of a sheen and feels like virtually nothing on the lips. I'd compare it to the Dior Addict Lip Glow but I like this much better! I had a weird reaction to the Dior lip balm yet I still wear it but this is a nice alternative that doesn't irritate my lips.

Tory Burch Perry Tote: I have been using Neverfull MMs nonstop for work but I wanted to give them a break this month. I switched over to my beloved black Tory Burch Perry Tote and fell in love all over again. It is the best, squishiest leather around, holds a ton and is super comfortable on the shoulder. I think it's a great alternative to the expensive Neverfull so I highly recommend it as a carry-all bag, whether it's for work, school, travel or even every day. It looks like this particular model is discontinued from Tory but it's all over the resale market.

Kate Spade Necklaces: For the past few months (almost a year probably) I haven't been wearing necklaces. I just don't like the feeling of them on my neck and I've been getting irritated with them. Every time I would wear one I would end up taking it off and putting it in my bag. I never, ever wear necklaces during the summer because it's just an extra thing to give off heat. However, I've been wearing my two favorite Kate Spade necklaces lately and have been loving them! They're very delicate, and I don't even feel them on my neck.

Tory Burch Logo Cuff: Talk about loving a piece of jewelry! I have been lusting after this cuff for months, ever since I saw Katey from COF wear it in an Instagram post. I didn't want to spend the $128 on it so I bought it for less than half the price on eBay (eBay has been my SHIT and is an honorable mention favorite). I have been wearing this bracelet nonstop and I am OBSESSED! It's so comfortable, fits perfect on my small wrist because you can adjust it, and looks great with any outfit. I loved it so much I bought the matching ring on eBay as well. Nordstrom just released a silver cuff and I need it so badly!

Boscia Cactus Water Hydrating Cream: When I placed a Sephora order this month I got this gel moisturizer as my deluxe sample and holy crap when was the last time I fell in love with a sample? This is the best moisturizer for summer! I know a lot of people use lightweight gel moisturizers in the summer heat but with my dry skin, I always still use something a little thicker -- until now. It's so lightweight, super hydrating and sinks into the skin immediately. I haven't had an issue with this causing a bad reaction to my skin and my face looks fresh in the morning. I will 100% be purchasing the full size once I run out of this!

What were your favorites this month?
xoxo
B

I've said it last week and I'll say it again... I can't believe it's July. I can't believe 2016 is halfway over... It's a bittersweet feeling because it proves once again that time moves very fast but 2016 SUCKS SO FAR and I'm really looking forward to the fall... I honestly cannot wait.

But for now, we will move forward to the rest of the summer; moving, a road trip or two, and some more fun things.



When thinking back on the things I really enjoyed this month, they were products that helped my skin look its best. The summer to me, is all about skin and minimal makeup.

I was also into things that helped me be better... and you'll see what I mean.

Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist: I took this out of my drawer this month and put it on my "vanity" to be used more frequently. I've started applying this under my makeup, or even dampening my beauty blender slightly before blending out concealer. I think it makes all the difference and there is no better applicator spray than this one: super fine and misty.

Tarte Maracuja Oil Rollerball: I ordered this on sale from Sephora last month and this month, I discovered my true love for it. My eyes were very swollen from a dry, eczema patch and until I had time to go to the doctor and get medication, this was my savior. I would carry this with me throughout the day and put a dot on my finger and apply to my eye. I also applied a bit under my eye atop my concealer when it starts to crease and crack, it instantly makes everything look better.





May Designs Budget & Fitness Journal: I'll probably do a separate post on this but I had to mention them because I'm obsessed in so many ways. These little notebooks keep me accountable and keep me on track. I was having a lot of difficulty keeping track of my finances but the budget journal helps immensely. The Health & Fitness journal was an impulse purchase because they were 30% off a few weeks back. May Designs is an incredible company and I have so many notebooks from them -- these are up there with my favorites.



YSL Lip Oil: I've been wanting to try this lip oil since I discovered it a few years ago. I finally splurged when Nordstrom was price matching on this item. I'm obsessed. It's the perfect combination of hydration, color, and oil. It doesn't feel greasy, it's easy to apply, and it smells really good. This may be my current favorite lip oil #sorrynotsorry

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer: I finally broke out my mini deluxe sample of this cult favorite bronzer and I finally get it. I thought everyone was overreacting but they are NOT. This is a very soft bronzer, but not so soft that it's too pigmented. It blends like a dream and it doesn't even look like I'm wearing bronzer. Once I'm done with this deluxe sample, I will be purchasing the full size to join the rest of the beauty world.

I thought I had more favorites but like I said, it's been a minimalist kind of month.

What have been your favorites?

Once again, June flew by and I can't believe July starts this week. Where is time going??

I asked one of my co-workers the other day "Is this how life is now? Time just flies?" And their response was a resounding "Welcome to the real world"-- great, that's just great.

In just a few weeks, summer is over and then fall comes along and this cycle continues. I really am surprised at how time is passing, it's going too fast. I feel like I don't even have enough time to do everything I want or need to do. I mean, in less than 6 months I'll be 23 years old. It feels like just yesterday I was going to high school.

How and why does this happen?! It's starting to make my think and rethink life choices and decisions.

I've come to realize, with time moving so fast, that you have do everything to live a life you want, a life that makes you happy. Nothing else really matters, as long as you're content with everything you're doing. This is something I'm working on, something that has come up recently.

Anyways, I'll stop rambling on philosophical notions of time and life and get into my favorites. I've been trying so many new products and things this month, and I have a few things that have really made an impact on me.



1. Colourpop: I haven't used any other eyeshadows since I got these. I am addicted and obsessed in so many ways. I placed another order that will be up on the blog within the next few weeks and I want more. They're easy to use, one swipe and instant eye-shadow look. Sometimes, especially in the summer, I don't feel like putting on a lot of make-up (and especially early in the morning before work). Eye-shadow is my least favorite make-up item to apply because it takes so much time and it's hard, for me at least, to get it to look good. These cream, mousse like eye-shadows are so easy to use, and make your make-up look appear pulled together. If you haven't checked them out, you really need too.

2. Smith & Cult: Another beauty brand I've been loving. After posting this Manicure Monday, I knew I needed another one ASAP. It's one of my best nail polish formulas I've ever tried. It's expensive at $18 a bottle but with Birchbox points, you can get them for cheaper. They're smooth, opaque, and incredibly shiny--they give a gel like effect to your polish. I have another Manicure Monday coming up with my new polish "She Said Yeah".

3. Rumba Watch: The watch that I got as my Birchbox Plus item in my June box has not left my wrist. It's the perfect size for everyday wear, I almost forget that I'm wearing it. It adds a bit of flair to any outfit and I love it. I've been looking for an everyday, yet dressy and slim watch and this is it.



4. Kimonos: I don't love clothes as much as I love beauty or accessories, but I have been trying to invest in more clothes so I have more options for a 5-day work week. The summer is especially hard for me to shop for because I like to be comfortable and the heat makes that so difficult. In comes Kimonos. This is a trend that I have missed out on the last two summers but finally got on board. I have three that I keep in rotation, and wear with colored pants. I'm obsessed. They're so comfortable but dressy, and aren't heavy in the slightest. They keep me cool and are perfect for work, if you have a more casual corporate office. Give me all the kimonos, please. Here are a few that I'm looking at for the future: One Two Three Four

5. Elite Daily: I've been obsessing over the site because it's constantly inspiring me and opening my eyes to new things, and new feelings. It's inspiring me to write more and figure out what I really want out of my life. Some of those writers are really incredible, it's so admirable. Snaps to Elite Daily for killing the game lately!

There weren't too many beauty "products" this month because I've been loving so many different things, and trying so many new things, I can't pick just one! Keep an eye out for your daily dose of beauty coming up in the next few weeks. I have a lot of reviews + hauls coming up!

How was your month of June? What were your favorites?









Shop my favorites below: