January 23, 2014

sad news.

Hello There!

Unfortunately, the worst has happened: my camera has broken. This means that everything on my computer will be uploaded at some point, and I will be writing posts that do not require my own photos, but after that I am afraid I might be a bit MIA until I buy a new camera. The one I am saving my pennies for is the Nikon D5100. 


I am so upset, but I hope you will all keep checking back in to see new posts anyways!

What camera would you recommend?

xx BB

January 20, 2014

QOTD | a broken heart

Hello There!

I thought I would share a quote today that has been motivation for me to move on from my past when I am so upset and trying to hold on. I love Amy Poehler, and this quote of her's has helped push me forward and learn to carry on. 


What quote has helped you move on?

xx BB

January 19, 2014

2013 favorites | eyes

Hello There! 

This is the second installment of my favorites videos and blog posts, and today it is all about eyes. I will have the matching video at the end of this post, but if you wanted to see more up close photos and swatches, as well as prices, this post should be helpful for you. 

RP 5.00
RP 5.00
RP 3.00
RP 3.00
RP 1.99 EACH
RP 4.00 EACH
RP 10.00
RP 9.00, 6.00, 8.00
RP 5.99
  I hope you found this post helpful!

Here is my 2013 favorites: eyes video:


What have been some of your favorite eye products in 2013?

xx BB

January 18, 2014

1 year without...

Hello There!

For 2014, I have decided to take on a new challenge. Each month, I will go without something. I decided to take on this challenge because I am a bit ungrateful for all that I have in my life. At the end of each month, I know I will be more grateful and happy for everything I have. Here is the layout for this year:

January: The month without shopping

February: The month without dairy

March: The month without sweets

April: The month without television

May: The month without social media, except Facebook

June: The month without complaining

July: The month without drinks other than water

August: The month without snacking

September: The month without starches and carbohydrates

October: The month without meat

November: The month without negativity

December: The month without procrastination


At the end of this month, I will tell you how each month went: my struggles and what each month taught me. I am so excited to take on this new challenge. 

What will you give up? 

xx BB

January 13, 2014

2013 favorites | face

Hello There!

Today is part one of a four part project: my 2013 favorites. I am talking about my "face" favorites, which included foundation, concealer, and everything else it takes to create a flawless complexion. I have made an entire video that explains exactly why I love each product, which will be at the end of this post. For those who want to see more close-up photos and swatches, as well as pricing for all the products, this will help. 

RP 5.00
RP 13.00
RP 4.00
RP 3.00
RP 30.00, 5.00
RP 20.00
Here is the video:



Stay tuned for the rest of my favorites!

What have been some of your favorite face products for 2013?

xx BB

January 11, 2014

wish, wish, want | etsy #7

Hello There!

It's foolish of me to look at things to buy when I have promised myself not to buy anything for the month. But I couldn't stop myself from looking at all the adorable things on Etsy, a handmade "ebay-style" website. Here is what I found:
 
LINK     RP 16.00
LINK     RP 39.00
LINK     23.85
LINK     45.00
LINK     6.00
I love the resolution book to keep up with the resolutions I made in January, and I love wooden phone cases- they are so cool and keep your telephone safe. 

Have you found anything cute on Etsy?

xx BB

7 things for 1 year! | my new years resolutions

Hello There!

Today I thought I would share seven of the things that I want to think about for the new year. I did this last year, so I thought I would see how well I accomplished my 2013 goals and my plans for 2014.


I said I would:

Sleep more- not exactly possible, seeing as I am a junior in high school. But I stay on a good sleeping schedule, and I catch up on sleep on the weekends.

Wear less makeup- actually did this! I stopped wearing my thick foundation and loads of concealer and powder, and I now wear lighter makeup. My skin has cleared up and I am so happy I stopped piling chemicals on my face. Not to say I don't throw on a bit of eyeshadow and mascara, I just don't do "the whole nine yards."

Leave the electronics- again, impossible. I got a position in a political organization as the director of involvement, so staying involved on social media is part of my job. But I have been reading a bit more, and spending lots of time with my family over the holidays. I do need technology for school and work, but I take a break every once in a while to spend time outdoors and away from electronics.

Read- I did! I read two books over the holiday break, and I read the newspaper a lot. I have missed it so much, and I will continue to pick up a book when I have free time.

Be honest and kind- I think so, but it is somewhat subjective. I try to compliment someone before I think I might insult, and I try to stay out of drama and gossip. I am also more honest with people in my life, and it feels nice to not be keeping secrets.

Believe in myself- not quite, but I am getting there. I believed that I could get a job and work hard in school, and so far so good. I think this one might take more than a year; it's definitely a work in progress.

Try to love life- again, a work in progress. I take everything day by day, so some days are better than others. But the nice little things in life stand out to me more, which is a change that I hope continues.

And now for my 2014 goals:

Get to bed earlier- I need sleep! So if I have the chance to go to bed earlier, I need to take the opportunity instead of watching another episode of Gossip Girl.

Reward myself for good work- I work so hard, and yet I never reap the rewards. So I will split up my work time to give myself a break and a reward, so I do not get overwhelmed with work and can better manage my time.

Spend less frivolously- I have taken on the "20 products challenge," in which I cannot spend money on beauty products until I use up 20 that I already own. I want to buy a nice camera for blog photos and videos, so I need to save my money, and that starts with not buying more makeup that I don't need.

Be less judgmental- I tend to sometimes judge a book by it's cover, but I want to be more kind to others by complimenting people instead of insulting people. I wouldn't want to be judged, so I shouldn't judge others.

Have lower expectations- sometimes I expect a lot, things fall through, and I get disappointed. I plan to have lower expectations so anything better will be a happy surprise.

Plan ahead- Before making a recipe, I need to read all the instructions. Before starting my homework, I need to plan out my time. I tend to jump into things without thinking it all the way through, so planning ahead will make sure I get everything done and manage my time.

Will this matter in a year?- My mantra for the year. I overreact about everything, so I need to ask myself how much a little issue really matters. 9 times out of 10, I am sure it doesn't.

What are your goals for 2014? Have you already dropped a goal that you made on the 1st?

xx BB

January 4, 2014

FOTD #6 | All Winged Out

Hello There!

For the new year, I am loving more natural makeup-less eyeshadow and blending and buffing, etc. I love lots of winged liner, and today's look is just that. Here are the products I used:


Face::

Maybelline BB Cream
Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me Powder
NYC Bronzer- Sunny
Lancome Blush- Shimmer Pool Pink

Eyes::

ELF Eyelid Primer
Wet N Wild Ultimate Expressions Palette- Paradise Cove (beige on the lid)
NYC Bronzer- Sunny (in the crease)
ELF Liquid Liner- Black
 Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes

Lips::

Rimmel Show-Off Lip Laquer- Luna

A classic wing and a nude lip. It's easy and chic.

What's your look for the beginning of the new year?

xx BB

January 2, 2014

What's on my Playlist? | January

Hello There!

I thought I would share some of my favorite songs to start 2014 off right. 



Starting off the year right with some amazing songs. Can you tell I am into Ellie Goulding? Halycon is a good album.

Happy 2014!

xx BB

2013 | a year in review

Hello There!

And wow, what a year. 

So much has happened to me in 2013 that has made it a truly incredible 12 months. I don't remember if 13 is a lucky or unlucky number, but either way, this year has brought blessings and curses.


I'll start from the beginning.

In early 2013, I signed up for a speech competition. Although quite good at speaking in front of people, I had never spoken in a contest, and not for money. But I surprised myself and made it to the second round. While I did not make it much farther, it was my first year, and I was able to get about 200 dollars to put in my savings. A good experience overall. 

In March, my Grandma became a year older. She is my only grandparent left, yet unfortunately it has taken the loss of my other grandparents to realize how precious she, and the rest of my family, is. I see her often and love spending time with her. She truly is an incredible woman. 

Around this time of year I made a few bad choices, and strayed off the path of the determined, level-headed, and somewhat intelligent person that I thought I was. I lost my parents trust, which I have come to find is worse that losing your telephone or car keys, and lost faith in myself. It has taken me a long time to believe in myself again, and I am now more determined than ever to do everything it takes to give myself the best future possible. I now truly know the meaning of the phrase "every mistake is a lesson."

In April my ballroom group had a seasonal show, and it was fantastic. I was named dance captain of the year, and helped teach my peers and create a wonderful show. It was difficult being a student and teaching my friends without being condescending, but the director said I did a wonderful job, and at the end of the year I was given the director's award. I was blown away to have been chosen by my director as a standout student, and I felt so honored.

Then came the end of school. I passed my classes with good grades, and was courageous enough to take two AP exams. While I did horribly on both, I felt triumphant for accomplishing so much in one year. At that moment, I felt like junior year was possible, perhaps even manageable. I'm not so sure now!

During the summer I was a very busy woman. I was accepted to take an International Relations course at Stanford University, and spend three weeks learning from an amazing professor on a beautiful campus, meeting students and other incredible people from around the globe. It was by far the most stressful and intense three weeks of my life, but I loved every minute of it and had an amazing time. 

I also attended a ballroom dance camp with my dance partner at BYU, a university in Utah. It was a bit of a culture shock, to say the least. Utah is populated heavily by Mormons, and I am not religious, so it took me the entirety of the intensive to become accustomed to their lifestyle. I met some amazing people there and learned so much, but I can't say I would jump on the chance to go back. 

My sister went off to college for her second year, and the beginning of my junior year soon began. I put a lot on my plate, yet was determined to see all of my classes through to the end. So far, so good. 

I was also named the president of my school's political club, JSA, and I was thrilled. I began the year with a rocky start and lots of obstacles, but I think I have become a skilled president, and I have come to learn how to manage a cabinet of students and run a professional club. It has been an amazing learning experience. 

In September I began writing for another beauty blog called Presh Life. It's a blog about beauty and self love, and it's designed for girls. I have only written a few posts, but I have loved writing on it and will continue to do so. 

At the beginning of the school year I also found a few close friends. These few friends have become some of my best friends, and through just about everything I know they will be there for me. I have never had a lot of friends, but I am just fine with a few that I can call to talk about boys, lip gloss, or life's struggles at three in the morning. In this case, less is more.

In October I went to visit my sister at school in Washington D.C, and I got to visit a bunch of colleges. I love the feel of universities on the east coast, and I love D.C. because it's a city for international relations, which is what I hope to pursue in college. I had never really taken a college tour or seen what each school has to offer me. I am excited for university, and a little scared too.

After only 15 months I got my braces off. I have never had the confidence to smile, but having shiny, straight teeth gave me confidence and a small self-esteem boost that encouraged me to take more photos and smile more. It was a change of outer beauty, sure, but of inner beauty too. 

November 18 came and I experienced the phenomenon that is the "Sweet Sixteen." And it's frankly a load of crap. I went out with my mother the weekend before, where she took me out to do 16 things for my 16th birthday. It was so nice and thoughtful, and trumped any other gift. I then had a lovely dinner with the family the day of, and called it quits. Yes, it would be nice to be showered with presents once a year, but I am trying to be a less materialistic person, and I enjoyed getting less than 20 presents and opening up each one to find more stuff I do not need. It was a simple birthday and I loved it.

Fast-forward to Christmas, when everyone was home from school and trips and together again, and we all were allowed to be materialistic and greedy for one morning. I got lovely presents, and my sister and I got my parents an Ipad. I was feeling pretty chuffed for being so generous. Like my father says, "It's better to give than to receive." 

And now the year comes to a close. No, I did not party on NYE. I watched New Girl, The Mindy Project, and Two and a Half Men reruns, and then smiled and jumped around for a minute when it hit midnight. I'm not much of a party animal, and my social life is just about non-existent, which is why I love this blog. It's my own piece of the Internet, and it's so nice to look back and see how much I have grown. I admit, I get sad and frustrated when I have 8 followers and 36 subscribers on YouTube, but I have come to understand that all good things come to those who wait. I love reading comments and answering questions, and hopefully one day lots of people will be able to read this little piece of the Internet and enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. 

I hope you all had a wonderful 2013. Here's to 2014- the year of love, happiness, peace, and prosperity. 

xx BB

P.S: Below are some of my favorite posts from 2013. Enjoy!