My Birthday!!

Hey everyone!

The other day, it was my birthday!! And, now that I am well into my 20's (eek!) I have decided that I personally like smaller celebrations with just my main family around me. 

The day before my birthday, I decided that I wanted to keep it simple, so we did a small cookout! We had hotdogs, homemade coleslaw, watermelon, and limeade! It was a great dinner, and a lot of fun!

The next morning, I woke up to beautiful tulips, presents, and birthday cards on the table just waiting for me!

I also found surprise birthday balloons in my room! I love how bright and cheerful they are!

For dessert, I made vanilla cupcakes and iced them with delicious buttercream frosting! The colors I picked out for the frosting was a bright lemon and a fun green!

For dinner that night, we started off with an Italian salad! We did Romaine lettuce with hot peppers, two different types of olives, cheese, and of course croutons. Delicious!

For the main course, me and my mom did homemade lasagna! It was a lot of fun to make, but more importantly, it tasted yummy!

And, no birthday would be complete without a cupcake and birthday candle! Because, as we all know, you have to make your birthday wishes!

Now onto the presents that I got from my mom and dad!

~Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume
~Burberry Weekend purfume

~Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume
~Vera Wang Pink Princess perfume

~Buxom Full Bodied Lip Gloss in Boo-Ya
~Buxom Lip Cream in Cremesicle
~Buxom Lip Tarnish in Wardrobe Malfunction
~Urban Decay Naked Illuminator

~Red Robin Gift Card
~The Cheesecake Factory Gift Card

~iTunes Gift Cards
~Amazon Kindle Gift Card

There you have it! My birthday all wrapped up! I had a wonderful day, and I really enjoyed myself!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: All the items shown above were gifts from my parents for my birthday!

Maybelline Baby Lips Pink'd Collection!

Hey everyone!

This past Easter, the Easter Bunny left me the entire Maybelline Baby Lips Pink'd Collection! Word must've gotten out about how much I love Baby Lips, so this present was perfect!

From Left to Right:

~Rose Rush
~Blush Burst
~Pop of Pink
~Mad for Magenta
~Very Berry

These Baby Lips are some of my favorites to date! All of the colors are very flattering and moisturizing, and the package is just adorable! Who wouldn't want to take one of these out of their bag and use it?! Each color has a fun fruity scent, and the pigmentation ranges from clear (Blush Burst) to medium (Very Berry and Rose Rush)!

Overall, I love these Baby Lips, and I wish they would make some of these shades permanent! 

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: I received these products as a gift for Easter. I am not associated with any brand mentioned above!

What's Inside my Spring 2014 Swap Box from Lauren!

Hey everyone!

Just this past week, I received my swap box all the way from Lauren in England! Lauren is a wonderful friend of mine, and fantastic makeup artist as well, so be sure you go check out her website!

We have been doing swaps three years now, and I don't see us stopping anytime soon! So, keep reading below to see everything she sent me for Spring! 

The perfect box with everything wrapped so nice and neat! It didn't stay this way for long!

Everything out of the box and unwrapped! Add a ton of happy squealing, and you can picture me opening everything!
 

~Mac Prep & Prime - Lauren know I have oily skin, so I can't wait to give this a try! Hopefully, it will keep my makeup lasting way longer this summer! 

 ~Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream - I am all about easy and natural makeup, so I can't wait to give this a try for the spring and summer months!

~Bourjois CC Eye Cream - With my last class coming down to a slow end, I have been under massive amounts of stress, and my eyes look horrible! This CC Cream helps with my under eye darkness, and is fun to apply!

~Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - How Lauren knew my perfect shade is beyond me! This little concealer works wonders on small imperfections and under eye!

~Sleek Blush By 3 Palette in Lace - This is such a beautiful blush palette, that it will get a blog post dedicated to it!

~Bourjois Cream Blush in 02 - Bourjois is quickly becoming one of my favorite UK brands! This cream blush is perfect for applying on the go for a touch of color!
 

~Collection Work the Color Neutral Shadow Palette - I am all about neutrals (occasionally I like to add color), and this palette is fantastic for that! Plus, the highlighter is actually cream, and works great on your cheek bones as well!

~Barry M Glow Palette - Another little gem that will get its own blog post soon! It has a wider variety of neutral shades and a beautiful soft pink blush! I'm thinking of summer travels with this guy!
 

~MAC Zoom Lash Mascara in Lofty Brown - It is almost impossible to find brown mascaras over here, so I was super excited to see that Lauren found one for me! As I said, natural makeup is my thing, and this little beauty will be a perfect addition!

~Ojon Restorative Treatment and Mascara - How did I not even know this existed?! This mascara has treatment for your lashes at one end, and mascara at the other. Great two-in-one product!
 

~No. 7 Ballerina Makeup and Set - Let's just take a moment to admire this makeup bag! I think it's simply gorgeous, and it has already been tucked inside my purse with my essentials in it. Inside this makeup bag was a selection of No. 7 products such as an eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, and moisturizer! All of the products are very me colors, and I can't wait to try them out!
 

~I love Strawberries & Cream Body Spray - Ok, this might be the best smelling body spray I've come across in a very long time! It's fruity, sweet, and smells like strawberries & cream! Need I say more? 
 

Lipstick Heaven!

~MAC Dreaming Dahlia Lustre Lipstick - This lipstick is perfect for spring! It is a beautiful reddish coral color that works wonders to brighten up your look!

~MAC Morning Rose Cremesheen Lipstick - A new favorite of mine! This lipstick gives your lips a soft rose shade that works day or night!

~Illamasqua Immodest Matte Lipstick - A fun, bright matte pink lipstick that goes on with ease? Yes, thank you! This lipstick will be a staple for me this spring and summer!

~MAC Flair for Finery Cremesheen Gloss - This lip gloss matches the lipstick Lauren sent me for Christmas, and I am so glad to have it in gloss form! Another must-have for the warmer months!

Candy Overload! The UK Easter Bunny has been here for sure! By the way, all of this chocolate is incredible! Those Creme Eggs... drool!
 

Buttons and chocolates oh my! And, that Mint Truffle Bar you see at the top was the best piece of mint chocolate I've ever tasted!
 

Crunchy chocolate mini eggs! Delicious!
 

Mr. Bean! This little bunny is still sitting on my desk looking all cute! Almost too cute to eat... almost!

There you have it, all of the wonderful goodies Lauren sent me for Spring! I believe that I have been properly spoiled this season, and I can't thank her enough for such a sweet package! 

Thank you Lauren!!!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: All of these items above were gifts from my friend Lauren!

What I Got for Easter 2014!

Hey everyone!

The Easter Bunny was very good to me this year, and she left me some fantastic presents! Keep reading below to see what I received!

~Spongebob Bubble Whistle - Yes, I am a total kid at heart, so this was super exciting to upwrap and play with!

~All of the new Maybelline Baby Lips from the Pink'd Collection! I can't wait to try these out!!

~Blistex Fruit Smoothies Lip Balms! This set has a limited edition Peaches n' Cream flavor! Yumm!

~Benefit Show Stoppin' Steal, which included a full size lipstick, eye shadow, and lipgloss! Fancy!

And, I've been eating my way through the mountain of Easter candy so far! I'll need a diet very soon!

What did the Easter Bunny bring you?

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: All of the items shown above were gifts from the Easter Bunny aka Momma!

Valentine's Day Beauty Must Haves

Hey everyone!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! And, whether you're single (like me) or have a date, you can look fabulous with these few beauty items!

Biore Deep Cleansing Nose Strips - These nose strips are a must before any big event, because they help to remove blackheads from your nose! And, I know I don't have to tell you that blackheads are not pretty anytime!

Pacificia Coconut Kiss Lip Butters -  It is always important to prep your lips before Valentine's Day, and these lip butters add a hint of color to your lips!

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers - If you like your lips to be moisturized, but don't like the heavy feel of gloss or lipstick, then these Lip Shimmers are your best friend! They come in a wide variety of colors, and add just a touch of color and shimmer to your lips!

Shu Uemura Matte Lipstick - Matte lips make you look very sophisticated, and Shu Uemura's matte lipstick is one of the best! This lipstick will last you through most of the night, so no worries with touchups!
 

Shu Uemura Unlimited Lip Gloss - Glossy lips are always sexy when it comes to Valentine's Day, and Shu Uemura's glosses give yours lips that kissable pout without the stickiness.

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Glosses - If you love your lips to have that plumped effect, then Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Puckers Glosses are for you!

Lady Gaga Fame Perfume - No evening would be complete without a fragrance. And, my personal favorite for this Valentine's Day is Lady Gaga's Fame fragrance! It is soft and romantic, making it perfect for a night out or in!

What are you Valentine's Day must haves?

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: These products were sent to me to feature in this post. I am not associated with any company mentioned above, nor are they paying me to feature their products. As always, my reviews and opinions are 100% my own!

The Blogger Made Me Buy It - TAG

Hey everyone!

The lovely Lauren from The Beauty Habit tagged me in The Blogger Made Me Buy It Tag! The tag is designed to show you just how much influence a blogger has on my purchases in the beauty world! And, I already know that there is a massive influence in my life when it comes to purchasing beauty products and reading blogs!

1. Who are your most influential bloggers? Who are the ones you rely on for reviews and swatches?

This is a hard one for me to answer, because when I want to find out something about a product, I normally search for it online, and read the reviews that pop up! However, there are a few bloggers who totally make my wish list grow longer. Lauren from The Beauty Habit, always has wonderful new hauls, and makeup loves that I keep written down on my 'To Buy' list! G from Nouveau Cheap always has the latest information on sales and new products at the drugstore. And, Laura from Buy Now, Blog Later is always posting about new products and some of her favorites. These three girls are definitely the main ones I read online all the time!

2. Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?

If Lauren reviews it, and says that it is an amazing product, I generally go and pick it up if I can find it here in the states. However, if I see a bunch of YouTubers/Bloggers rave about a product that looks appealing, I will go and search for it all day long online before making me purchase.

3. What is your favorite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

This one is tricky, because my all time favorite lipstick has been influenced by blogs, but I can't purchase it here in the states. It's Beehive by 17 if you are wondering! So, the lovely Lauren sends me back ups during our box swaps, and she keeps me well in stock!

4. What is your least favorite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

I would have to say the Stila Lip Glazes. These things are so sticky, its hard for me to enjoy wearing them! 

5. Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs.

Hmm let's see... Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, Bare Minerals Moxie Lipstick in Speak Your Mind, Bare Minerals 100% Natural Lip Color in Bavarian Creme, The Body Shop Lip Butter in Mango, and The Wet Brush.
 
6. Have you ever given into blogger hype? If so which hype?

All the time! The Wet Brush has been a great purchase so far! It works wonders on my hair, and doesn't yank any stands out!
 
7. Have you ever avoided blogger hype? If so which hype?

I generally avoid foundation hypes, as my skin is so sensitive to any. Which means I really don't wear foundation if ever!

8. Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews or are there some items you buy without checking a review?

I purchase items that I think I will enjoy. Everyone is different, so if a certain blogger doesn't like it, I still give it a try to see if I might! One product like this was the Maybelline Color Whispers. There was a mix bag of opinions on this product, but I ended up loving the one I purchase, Petal Rebel.

If you end up copying this tag, leave a comment below, so I can check out your post!

XoXo,
Whitney

Advent Grab Box Calendar Day 31!

Hey everyone!

Happy New Year's Eve! Have you made your resolutions yet? Mine for 2014 are to be happy, healthy, and enjoy life more! For the 31st Day of my Advent Grab Box Calendar, I picked out this gift!

Inside was...

Barbie & Her Sisters in a Pony Tale! As you may know, I collect Barbie DVD's and I totally needed this one, as I am a huge fan of horses!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: My mom purchased this gift for me!

Advent Grab Box Calendar Day 30!

Hey everyone!

For Day 30 of my Advent Grab Box Calendar, I picked out this little package!

Inside was...

Hershey's Air Delight Chocolate Bar! These are really yummy, so I was very happy to have this to snack on for the day!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: My mom purchased this gift for me!

Advent Grab Box Calendar Day 29!

Hey everyone!

Can you believe December is almost over? It feels like this month has flown by! For Day 29 of my Advent Grab Box Calendar, I picked out this gift!

Inside was...

The Taylor Swift Wonderstruck perfume! I've been wanting this fragrance forever, so I was super excited to find this in my box!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: My mom purchased this item for me!

Advent Grab Box Calendar Day 28!

Hey everyone!

For Day 28 of my Advent Grab Box Calendar, I picked out this cute little package!

Inside was...

 

A Lindt Chocolate bar! These are my absolute favorite, and I cannot wait to try out the Dark Chocolate with a Touch of Sea Salt!

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: My mom purchased this gift for me!

Advent Grab Box Calendar Day 27!

Hey everyone!

There's only a few more days till New Year's Eve! Are you planning any fun parties this year? For the 27th Day of my Advent Grab Box Calendar, I picked out this gift!

Inside was...

 A Dark Chocolate Kit Kat Bar! This was super yummy, and didn't make it very far after the picture was taken!

XoXo,
Whitney 

Note: My mom purchased this gift for me!

Christmas Box Swap with Lauren!

Hey everyone!

This is the second Christmas box swap that me and Lauren from Lauren Alice MUA have done, and I must say, the boxes are only getting more fun each year! This year, Lauren completely spoiled me!

Take a look and see!

Look how cute she wrapped everything! She definitely took her time, and even wrote little notes on all the packages! Talk about attention to detail!

~Collection Felt Tip Black Eye Liner - I'm not any good at eye liner, but this one looks easy to use!

~Seventeen Brow That! Kit - I've never had an eye brow kit before, and I can't wait to try out all the products it comes with!

~17 Bee Hive Lipstick x2 - This is my all-time favorite lipstick, so Lauren made sure I was stocked up fully!

~MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter - This highlighter is simply gorgeous, and I cannot wait to try it out!

~Bourjois Color Edition Cream Eyeshadow in the shade Or Desir - This cream eyeshadow is a beautiful metallic gold shade, and will be perfect to wear alone or under matching powder shadows!

~Alice & Eliza Bath Fizzies - This has to be one of the cutest things I've ever seen! These bath fizzies are in the shape of holiday crackers!

~MAC Mineralised Skinfinish in Centre of Attention - This mineralized Skinfinish from MAC is simply gorgeous! Plus, Lauren told me that there is real gold in it! How cool is that?!

~MAC Lipstick in Flair for Finery - This lipstick is super pretty, and totally up my alley! I've never tried the Lustre finish from MAC before, but I think it might be a new favorite of mine!

~MAC Mineralized Eyeshadow in Until Dawn - This mineralized eyeshadow is beautiful! I love the two colors paired together, and I think they'll look great over the cream eye shadow she sent me!

~Lauren also sent me and my mom some of these amazing handmade Lavender treats! We each got a lip balm, which is incredible! Then my mom got a lavender sachet, while I got a few lavender bath melts! Let me tell you, I cannot wait to use these in my baths!

~Downton Abbey Lip Balm Duo - I have never seen Downton Abbey, but Lauren assures me it is a must-see! And since it is one of her favorite shows, I definitely have to check it out!

~Beautiful Sparkly Necklace from a British Designer - This necklace is super pretty, and you know me, I love anything with sparkles!

~ Limited Polish in Mint - I love soft, pastel nail polishes, and this one is getting painted on my nails tonight!

~Limited True Red Travel Fragrance - This fragrance smells great, and will be perfect to tuck into my purse for on the go touch-ups!

~MAC Archie's Girls Lip Glass in Summer Sweetheart - I fell in love with the Betty side of the Archie's Girls Collection, so when I unwrapped this beauty in my box, you can imagine how much squealing I did from excitement!

~MAC Archie's Girls Blush in Cream Soda - This blush is a gorgeous, natural shade that will be perfect to wear on a job interview! Plus, who can resist that packaging?!

That's everything beauty related that I got from Lauren this Christmas! If you want to see the other gifts Lauren and her sister Aimee sent me, then go check out this post!  

XoXo,
Whitney

Note: Lauren sent me these items as gifts!