Chit Chat and Some Beauty Favorites

Hello! So I hope if you're reading this you don't mind some of my random ramblings, I have quite a bit going on in life at the moment and it has always helped me to have a sort of outlet. That's why I love blogging, I can make it be whatever I want. Despite this being a beauty/fashion blog sometimes I just want to open my laptop and write what I'm thinking, and the fact that maybe 5 people will read it is completely fine with me, if you are one of the 5 hey girl!! 

Anyways, first big thing going on is my boyfriend and I just bought a house!! Holy hannah I can't believe we have our own house, we are beyond excited! But let me tell you, getting a home loan and dealing with loan officers is pretty much like going to the DMV everyday for 5 months. Each time you go in and think you have everything, they then tell you that they need a goat, the seventh horcrux, and the blood of 20 virgins. So make sure you have those...

So the house is small but has brand new carpet, paint, and some other restorations which is very exciting to me. Trying to picture my boyfriend and I standing at the threshold of a bathroom attempting to redo the damn thing is probably the worst idea ever. Its nearly impossible to decide what kind of feel or theme you want in your home. Yeah I thought I totally knew this up until I actually had to make some decisions then my brain goes all "OOHH lets be shabby chic in the bedroom but maybe Victorian in the living room and OMG I NEED that black glass chandelier!" So I'm trying to control myself and narrow it down. All i know is I want our bedroom to be our sanctuary and our living room to be cozy, the bathroom/kitchen are just going to have to wait until I get my shit together.

Then there's budgeting for furniture. And I'm sure ya'll can imagine trying to give a woman a furniture budget is ridiculous and painful, limiting our decorating always ends up in flames and something wicker. But that's life, so I'm attempting to furnish my home on a tight budget, which is cool but of course not as fun. Oh well the black glass chandelier will have to wait. 

ALSO I'm attending a makeup artistry workshop in November! I think I'm more excited about this than the house, is that bad? Probably but who cares right? The workshop is 6 classes 4 hours each over  a course of 3 days, and the best part is the classes will be taught by some of the best makeup artists in the country! It's so amazing watching other artist's techniques, you can never have too much information or inspiration. No matter what lever of makeup artistry you are at you can always learn something from other people. I can't wait to share what I've learned in future blog posts! I want to do makeup looks on here, I just don't have a nice enough camera yet, once we are settled into the house and my bank account is back above sea level I am going to start saving for one.

This post title includes me mentioning some beauty favorites so its probably high time I did so. Sorry I don't have pictures, our apartment is in shambles from packing and getting ready to move : )

It's getting chillier outside so I have been needing a more rich moisturizer for the day time and I have been loving my Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream. My favorite part is the texture, it feels like you are rubbing velvet on your skin. It is also great to use before applying makeup because it absorbs quickly. This one might be too rich for daytime if you are oily, I am very dry though so it is perfect. 

Next is the L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara. I LOVE this stuff, the smaller plastic wand makes it easier to get those hidden outer lashes and lower lashes while still having the volumizing power of the wands with bristles. 

Lastly I will mention a lipstick that is absolutely gorgeous for fall, MAC's Up the Amp. I don't think this one gets enough love and it really should. I am including a picture of this one though because I want you guys to see what I'm talking about. It is a rich lavender violet shade, and it is an Amplified lipstick so it is a creme but has a slight glossy finish. I am completely obsessed with it, it's a no brainer foe me when I am wanting to add a pop of color while wearing a neutral eye. 

I know it looks more pink in the photos, but that's just because I was using synthetic lighting but I promise it is a purple shade : )

This will look beautiful on most skin tones, unless you have very rich pink undertones you must own this one : )

I hope you have a fantastic weekend and thanks for stopping by!

XO Amanda

LA Thrift Shopping: Tips & Tricks

~Hello Everyone~

So today is Friday, woo hoo! Too bad that doesn't mean much in the retail business, but today I am excited to share with you my trip to Los Angeles and my thrift shopping adventure. Let me tell you: I  am not very experienced. However, when my husband and I started dating we used to take many trips to L.A. and he would thrift shop all the time! It took me a while to get used to. To be completely honest I am a bit of a shopping snob. I do not like to dig and I like the idea that if I need a different size of something it is readily available or can be ordered. In L.A. though you can find so many wonderful treasures at second hand stores that you wouldn't be able to in any other state (besides New York) and since L.A. is significantly closer, I am here to share with you my wonderful finds.

I spent the day that Omar (the hubs) was at work to do my exploring of Santa Monica:

View of the Santa Monica Pier andBeach

Amazing Oyster Bar

Delicious Lunch

Cute Performing Gal (sorry didn't get her name)

Stopped in Brandy Melville, Thought this shirt was hilarious ;)

Step 1: Selling

The rule I live by is if it has been in my closet more than two years and I have not worn it, it goes!

I don't care what it cost, you can't let things own you. Don't keep it if it no longer serves you a purpose in your life, trust me: you'll feel better.

I had about 4 pair of jeans and a couple jackets Omar wanted to sell. I got a total of about $100 between these two second hand buyers- Crossroads Trading Co. and Wasteland, both located in Santa Monica. They have second locations of each on Melrose also. Sometimes, if they don't buy at one location, they will at the other ;)

Step 2: Buying

I didn't find anything at Crossroads, but had a lot of luck at Wasteland! I took back around 20 tops to try on and 4 worked. All in perfect condition and with their original tags attached. I'm telling you, quality! I won't even try something on if it looks snagged or worn. 

Brands from left to right: Joie, Marc by Marc Jacobs, All Saints, Parker

Each top cost me around $30-$45. Brand new, these brands will easily cost you anywhere from $200-$300 each. I like to think the work I did digging, is worth the savings. With tax, the total came to $180, and with the money I made from selling my other clothes, the difference was only 80 bucks!! Woo Hoo! ~Happy Dance~

Here are some other places I went while looking around:

Another Designer Secondhand Store: Had a Beautiful Chanel Display!

Amazing Store that I Want EVERYTHING From... Check Out the Website

American Rag

Above are pictures from a store called Mister Freedom. They have a lot of classic, raw denim and antiques. They sell clothing both new and used. I loved how they had everything displayed. 

Hope you enjoyed my post and think a little differently about thrift shopping. And next time you are in L.A. give it a try!

XO Tyler Jane

Freaky Friday: Fashion by the Bohemian

Hello! So Tyler and I thought it would be fun to switch for a day and post about the other's specialty! So today I am going to talk to you a little bit about my fashion obsessions. For as long as I can remember, I have been OBSESSED with rose gold. I'm pretty sure it is due to the fact that I am equally OBSESSED with roses, so loving rose gold was just a given. It all started when I was a little girl, and my Dad began this tradition with me that for every Valentines Day and Birthday he would give me a giant bouquet of roses. To say I am a Daddy's girl is an understatement, he has been my rock for as long as I can remember and I am the person I am now because of him. You can imagine of course my excitement as a 6 year old when I got my first bouquet. I loved everything about them, they're perfect smell, their softness, rich color, and of course beauty. Not to mention they are the ONLY flower I am not allergic to, crazy huh? Anywho, I love all things rose, and rose gold is at the top of my list! I can't think of anything more fabulous than blush colored gold. So I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite pieces! I took close ups of the ring and Folli Follie watch because the lighting made it difficult to see them in the larger picture.

Folli Follie Watch

Ring

Also, I didn't list the designers of the 2 smaller bracelets because I bought them in a boutique I used to work in and for the life of me cannot remember who makes them. The designer of the ring was Bailey, Banks & Biddle, but they are no longer in business : ( I believe a larger jewelry designer bought them out, which is such a shame, I loved their pieces. 

Lastly I'd like to show you a pair of shoes I just found because 1. They are AMAZING and 2. You can still buy them!! I know summer is coming to an end, but I really don't care, I had to have them! They are literally my perfect sandal, not to mention they are by my absolute favorite sandal company, Dolce Vita!

Ahhh, how gorgeous are these?! Who could resist python, mint, and gold all rolled into one?? Ok I need to stop, but you fellow shoe lovers will totally get me lol. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

XO Amanda

Freaky Friday: Beauty by the Wife

Ok guys and gals, for Friday the 13th we are doing a flip it post where I, Tyler, will talk to you about a beauty product I recently tried and had great success with. Then, Amanda is going to have a post about fashion/style. 

Right now, I am on the road to la la land (Los Angeles) with my wonderful husband for his work. One thing I love about living in Arizona is that we are close to so many awesome vacation spots.

Anyways...

About a year ago I started having gel manicures done. Then, a few months ago, I decided I wanted to have long nails and the only way to do that was to get acrylics! So I made the plunge and then went traveling. Big mistake. I had a person totally ruin my nails with the drill. When I got back home, the guy who does my nails said that I needed to take a 2 month break and let my nails grow back naturally until they were back to better strength. I have always had trouble with my nails being thin, they flake and it is even hard for me to keep my gel manicure on! 

When I got home I posted an update on my Facebook asking my friends and family for nail remedies. A few girls from my work replied that nailtiques had worked for them and I should give it a try. I immediately went to the nearest Ulta and got myself a bottle. The first week I put a coat on everyday. After that, I slowed it down to about once or twice a week.

Today I can't even believe the difference. They are so strong and healthy. They are still short, but that is because I have a nail biting habit (my achilles heel). But they are so much better and I couldn't be more excited to share it with you and go get my nails done again when I get home. 

Here is a pic:

Go buy it now!

K, Thanks

XO Tyler Jane

My Neutral Palette!

Hello! It's finally the weekend and that means Sunday night football is almost here!!! Yes, I am obsessed with football, who says you can't be a girly girl who also screams at the TV? I am a full on Saints fan and I wear my black and gold loud n' proud : ) But while I am waiting for Sunday I wanted to share with you what is in my neutral eyeshadow palette! It took me some time to create my perfect neutral palette, and I absolutely adore all these colors. Whenever I travel, I know I can take just this palette with me and be able to create an endless number of looks with it. I do love to play with color, but when in doubt, blend those neutrals out! : ) Ill go through each of the colors as well and give a little blurb about how I use them! All but 3 of these shadows are by MAC, the 3 labeled with MUG are by MakeUp Geek : )

You will soon notice the large number of warm toned shades in this palette, and this is because I have yellow undertones so the warm shades look the best on my skin. Cool tones can look muddy on my skin if I don't use them correctly, just like warm tones can look too orange for people with pink undertones! However I do have a few, and love them just as much!

Enjoy!

Satin Taupe - metallic grey with some warm brown undertones. So beautiful on its own, and is a no brainer for a smokey eye if you only want to use one color!

Woodwinked - soft warm gold, looks gorgeous with a warm brown in the crease. I use it with Saddle or Brown Script.

Mylar - slightly sheer frosty white. This shade isn't overly pigmented, but I love it in the inner - middle part of my eye because you can then use any color blended in the outer area and crease. It is described as having a shimmer but its barely noticeable. Also a great highlight!

Shroom - soft off white with shimmer. Quite pigmented and one of my favorite highlights!

Nylon - soft golden shimmer. Another highlight favorite if I want to add a touch of gold.

Dazzlelight - soft beige with shimmer. I love this highlight shade if I'm doing a softer makeup look. It's not as pigmented as Shroom or Nylon but still adds a lovely glow.

MakeUp Geek Peach Smoothie - matte peach. Perfect mid toned transition shade when I'm using light warmer browns such as Texture or Saddle.

Rule - soft orange. I LOVE this color. Anytime I use a warm brown in my crease (which is most days) I just pop Rule just above my crease to add a little something extra. It's just beautiful and not as loud as MAC's Orange.

MakeUp Geek Shimma Shimma - metallic chanpagne. This shade is a no brainer all over the lid with a mid toned brown in the crease, I also love pairing it with purple shades.

All That Glitters - beige/gold with shimmer. This is another gorgeous all over the lid color, I love it with  Saddle in the crease. 

Naked Lunch - soft pink with shimmer. This is a MAC cult favorite, and while I do love it, I don't reach for it as often as I thought I would. But I do love it paired with deep magentas and purples.

Samoa Silk - soft matte peach. This is now discontinued I believe, but does the exact same job as MUG Peach Smoothie, I personally like MUG's version better : )

Omega - soft beige/taupe. This shade is widely knows as the perfect shade for filling in brows for those with blonde/light brown hair, and it is, but it is also a great mid toned brown crease color for cool toned eye looks!

Wedge - soft beige/taupe, but with more brown than taupe. Another beautiful cool toned brown. I love using this in the crease as a transition shade when I am doing a smokey eye using blacks or greys.

Patina - taupe brown with gold shimmer. This shade is so universal, and that's why I love it. It can be blended out with warm OR cool shades depending on my mood! It's a great color for Fall when blended out with Wedge and Ground Brown.

Arena - soft golden peach with shimmer. This shade really doesn't get enough love, and its so gorgeous!! Sometimes I'll just wear it all on its own blown out kind of messily, and blend it out under my eye as well. 

MakeUp Geek Cocoa Bear - deep matte red/brown. This is a great dupe for MAC's Brown Script, but it has just a touch more brown. Gorgeous crease color, or blown out on its own for a red/brown smokey eye.

Cork - satin brown with a hint of gold. You don't see any shimmer in this shade when applied, so it is a great brow shade for those with darker hair BUT it can come off a bit warm if you have yellow undertones like me, so I have to be careful if I use it to fill in my brows. I prefer Omega, but I will add Cork to the tail of my brows to deepen the color. Also a beautiful transition crease shade, especially with Patina. 

Ground Brown - rich matte brown. This is a Pro shade so you can only buy it online or in a Pro Store. This is a MUST have for deep brown smokey eye looks. Its beautiful. 

Swiss Chocolate - soft red/brown with more brown than red. I LOVE this shade. If I want to deepen my crease just a touch when doing a neutral eye look this is my go to. It's not too dark, but just dark enough.

Brown Script - rich matte red/brown. This is my ALL time favorite eye shadow. It's almost like it was made for my skin tone and eye color (which is green). It is just so warm and rich, if you have warm undertones you MUST own this. I look for any reason to wear it! I prefer it to the MUG version personally.

Saddle - matte golden/orange brown. Another gorgeous warm brown, I use it in the crease pretty much anytime I use a beige shimmery lid color. 

Texture - peachy brown with a hint of gold shimmer. You don't really see the shimmer when you apply this. It has a touch more warmth than saddle and is lighter. I use it a lot to add depth to my crease when I'm doing a dramatic winged eyeliner look with a bright lip and don't really want color on my eyes. 

Soft Brown - warm soft matte peachy brown. Last but certainly not least, this is a must have shade for everyone. It is a great mid toned crease color that can be used with just about any eye look. It's such a basic necessity. 

I know this was a lot of info! But I hope it helped if you were considering buying any of these! Feel free to leave questions/comments! I hope you all have a fab weekend!

XO Amanda