Empties!

I figured that today I would show you some things that I have recently finished up.  I want to tell you my final thoughts about them and let you know what I liked and didn't like.  Don't ask me why my BB Cream is in the photos with my bath items (I couldn't tell you the answer to that).

To start off, I finally finished up my Herbal Essence "Honey I'm Strong" shampoo and conditioner.  I wrote about this a little bit ago discussing my love for the product.  I have always had pretty thick hair and when I started changing my diet, I did notice that sometimes my hair would fall out.  I figured trying a shampoo and conditioner that was formulated to make  hair stronger would be a step in the right direction and I was 100% correct.  Naturally, when your hair is a little thicker, you tend to need more shampoo and conditioner and I found that to be the case here.

I quickly moved onto the Garnier Fructis "Fall Fight" line and fell in love with that as well.  I never really believed people when they said that your hair could get adjusted to the shampoo and conditioner that you were using and that you should change it often, but it is definitely true (as I have seen in probably the past year or so).  This was a great system to use after the HE "HIS" system.  The follow up is great because it feels like the hair shaft is being conditioned and bonded so that it literally is much stronger.  I would recommend trying these one after another.

I also have the Clean&Clear "Blackhead Eraser" Face Wash here.  I have to say, I bought this product with semi-big expectations because I heard some good things about it on YouTube.  I really don't like it.  For the first day after I used it I said to myself that it could maybe work, but it was just the first day.  After the first week, I realized that it was doing absolutely nothing for me and actually it was making my skin have random pop-ups of a blemish here and there.  No, thank you!  I would much rather stick with my St. Ives Apricot Scrub (that I am sure is only meant to really be for exfoliating).

Next you can see that I have my Suave "Ocean Breeze" body wash.  I mean, theres nothing more to say about this except that I just love it.  I get it every single time I need new body wash and it never disappoints.  The best part about it?  The smell.  The second best thing about it?  The price.  I don't think it's more than $2 at Target and it's the best thing ever.

So I guess I will talk about my Maybelline BB Cream down here with these mascaras.  I wrote a post about BB creams a while ago and told you guys that I was trying this one out and liked it.  I still stand by that.  I really enjoyed this BB cream.  The formulation is great and so simple for application.  The cream lasted a really long time and did not make my face feel oily or dry by the end of the day.  Because it is a BB cream, you really cannot expect much out of it as far as coverage goes, but it does help give the skin a semi-flawless finish (did I just make that up?).

I really didn't like the Illegal Length Mascara, I found it truly pointless.  The formulation did not help my lashes at all and it didn't give them any length.  On the contrary, I do love a good old Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion.  I don't think I have ever met someone who doesn't like it.  My eyes always look curled and voluminous when I use it.

Well guys, I hope you enjoyed my first "empties" post!  Send me a tweet and let me know what you used up this month!  What should I try?  Thanks for reading!

Xoxo-Brit.

Long Day Travel Essentials (Interview Edition).

Recently I have been in and out of the city (NYC for anyone who isn't from where I live) going on interviews.  With that being said, there are a few things that I always like to have with me, some essentials.  Check out what I think you shouldn't leave the house without if you're traveling all day!  

The two above photos are showing you the bag that I carry around and a brief look at the contents.  As you can see, I use my Longchamp Travel bag that I am in love with (this is not a secret, I have talked about it before on my blog).

Something important in a bag that you should most definitely consider if you are traveling all day is one with a longer, over the shoulder or cross-body strap.  This is important because if you are carrying a ton in the bag, it can get to be too heavy to hold in the crook of your arm.  Also, having that extra strap is much more convenient when you're running all over the city and changing trains back and forth.

Here you can see that I have my portfolio and in that yellow folder, a couple of extra copies of my resume.  Part of the reason why I love the bag I use so much is because it carries my enormous portfolio.  You want to make sure that if you are traveling to an interview you have the most up to date articles that you've written, projects that you've worked on, or anything else that is important to landing you a job.  Always carry it around with you even if the person interviewing you says that you may not need it.  You never know when you'll get another call for an impromptu interview.  You will always be prepared this way.

Now in this ever so glamorous Target bag, I have my pair of heels.  I ALWAYS start the day with a pair of flats on for walking around, changing trains and walking in and out of places.  If you're like me, you can probably try and "champion out" and wear heels all day, but it's almost suicide trying to do that and quickly get where you need to be at the same time.  When you get home at the end of the day you'll have blisters and it is not worth it.  Always keep your heels in just a simple plastic bag for a quick elevator change on the way up to your interview in higher places! :)

Here I have my iPad and some earphones.  I like to keep my Nook with me as well.  Entertainment for the train ride is always good.  For me, it takes a while to get into the city so having a movie or a season of friends is always great.  If you like, put your iTunes library on there as well.  Aside from my Nook, I also have some books on here just incase the battery runs out.  Other than entertainment, I also bring my iPad because you never know when you might need it.  I often switch back and forth from my laptop to the iPad because I just never know when someone might ask me if I have the skill to operate an iPad or laptop.  This might be far-fetched, but you just never know!

On the top left, you can see I have a snack and something to drink.  I like to always keep an apple or some trail mix, maybe a Special K bar or something.  You are on the run when you're in and out of interviews, sometimes you don't have enough time to get something at an actual place.  I must admit though, the coconut water I have pictured I picked up at Starbucks, but I also have water bottles in my bag.  On the top right you can see my fantastic coconut lime hand sanitizer spray.  I couldn't live if I didn't have this with me at all times.  You touch a BAJILLION things during the day.  How can you eat that apple without that sanitizer!? 

The top left here are a couple of options for flats when running around.  I just have these awesome red velvet Vans, blue corduroy Toms and some cute bow flats from H&M.  Another suuuuuuper important thing that I have for my travel bag is this external battery for my iPhone.  This thing is ABSOLUTELY essential.  This gives your phone up to an extra charge and a half just incase it dies.  Always have this external battery in your bag for back-up because odds are that you will probably be using your phone, e-mail, gps, texting and more; therefore drowning your battery a lot quicker.  To have an extra battery with you is extremely important, I recommend this 7000%!

Other than this, there are the essentials: wallet with cash, debit card, business card and ID.  I recommend bringing cash and a debit card because when you're in the taxi, cash is almost always easier.  Although some cabs do have the ability to take debit cards now, cash is faster and if you're on an interview, you probably are in a rush!  That's another tip I would probably give, try and allow extra time for yourself.  Take an earlier train and get to where you need to be a little bit earlier.  This will most definitely put your mind at ease.  

Okay guys, thanks for reading!  As always, tweet me your essentials and let me know if you think there is anything I missed here.  Good luck on your interviews! ;)

Xo-Brit.

Yes, another candle obsession.

Okay, here we go.  I am obsessed with yet another candle.  I was shopping for some more to add to my collection the other day (like I need any others) and I came across this Dayna Decker candle.  I first heard about Dayna Decker on Rachel Talbott's YouTube channel and I really wanted to try her candles.  She mentioned that they were pricey but when I was randomly looking in the candle section of Marshall's I found one!  I could not believe it. 

My Dayna Decker candle burning.

This is one of the candles with a wooden wick.  Upon lighting the wick, you can hear it crackle.  Now when I first heard of a candle that crackled the entire time it was being burned I thought it would be annoying and loud, this isn't the case.  The sound that it makes is great because it's relaxing, but not distracting or overwhelming.

The scent of the candle is awesome.  There is a sandalwood/jasmine smell that is so great.  I love a great beachy/coconut candle, so sandalwood is always a favorite as well.  Another great note is the earthy-ness; I love it as a transition candle into spring.

Do you enjoy candles?  Have you tried Dayna Decker candles?  I have other candle purchases to share if you are interested in seeing them.  Thank you for reading and leave a comment if you would like.  Also, send me a tweet and let me know what kind of candles you enjoy.

Xoxo-Brit.

Think of it Thursday #2.

Ted Baker iPad case.

Michael Kors watch.

Free People one piece.

Kate Spade iPhone case.

Longchamp bag.

Pink yoga pants.

Kate Spade ring.

Nike sneakers.

Prabal Gurung Heels.

Thanks for reading my second "Think of it Thursday."  I really enjoy these because I am basically shopping without buying.  Send me a tweet and let me know what you're thinking of this Thursday!  The photos are from the websites and don't belong to me.

Xo-Brit.

My heel collection!

I am going to be completely honest with you here and just let you know that I was NEVER a heels person.  It might be hard to believe after reading some of the posts on this blog, but it is completely true.    I must have transformed into a different person but I am totally okay with that because now, I couldn't imagine my life without them.  I wont ever be able to understand how I can go from hating them to loving them, but with that being said, it took a couple of years for that to happen.  So if you hate them now, wait 5 years, you just miiiiiight love them come 2018.  Here are the heels that I currently have in my collection.  I don't have an over abundance of them, but this is the perfect amount for me.  To make it a little more fun than usual, I decided to brave the cold and go outside into my backyard and shoot the photos there.  So enjoy this post of my heels "backyard edition." :)

Prabal Gurung for Target- Nolita Print Pumps

Aldo Nude Pumps

Aldo Brown Pumps (love the heel!)

Aldo Orange Pumps (AHHHH, absolute FAVORITE!)

Mossimo Black Heels (Target, super inexpensive but love!)

The nude and black heels, I have found, are absolute staples.  I find myself reaching for them on so many different occasions.  The most inexpensive is the Black Mossimo Heel, which I have had the longest and worn the most.  

I hope you guys loved this post.  I am so in love with the fact that I took the photos outside for once,  I might end up doing this more often.  Do you guys have a lot of heels?  What is the perfect amount?  What pair of heels in your collection is your favorite?  Post a comment or send me a tweet and let me know!  Thank you for reading.  :)

Xoxo-Brit.