Tag Archives: the best

The Perfect Summer Scent!

27 May

I only wear a handful of perfumes and I love them all so much that I rarely add any additions to my collection. But 3 years ago I discovered Pirette at my local surf shop. The sales girl suggested that I try it and I said yes just to be nice- I expected that it would smell decent but not AMAZING! How could this random fragrance oil from a surf shop smell so good?!! I don’t know what’s in this tiny bottle but WOW, it’s one of the most beautiful scents that I’ve smelled. I get so many compliments on the fresh, beachy, coconut perfume that I had to share it here on the blog. I’ve been wearing it more since Spring has sprung and will continue to wear it through Summer. I cannot get enough of it.  pirette

Shop Pirette HERE $48

*Be warned…. the bottle is tiny, but I’m on my second bottle now and the first one lasted almost 2 years. A little bit goes a long way.

*Also, as I was writing this post, I discovered that they make candles too!!!!

candle

Spring Nail Color!

24 Mar

Spring has sprung and I’m sharing my favorite bright and cheery nail color with you guys. The color is Lounge lover by Essie and is a pretty peachy/coral hue.essie1 It’s not overly bright in a tacky way, it’s actually very feminine and pretty. It also looks amazing on all skin tones.  Shop Essie polish HERE.

Note: Tart deco and Shop til I drop are very similar to Lounge Lover

Happy spring:)

xo, Journey

essie 2

 

My Favorite Face Masks!

17 Nov

I’m pretty big on skin care as most of you already know and my daily and weekly regimens are pretty intense. I take my skin seriously because I only get one face and quite frankly I don’t want a wrinkly one. Aging gracefully is beautiful but premature aging is not! (in my opinion) An important part of my regimen is face masks. I do a mask once or twice a week depending on the condition of my skin. My favorite face masks are by origins are pretty amazing! Shop my favorites below:)

One is a charcoal mask that clears pores. $26mask The other one clears pores as well but is a little more focused on clearing up acne and oil. I actually use this one as a spot treatment on my acne while I sleep. Out of trouble mask $26

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They are also available in smaller pod sample sizes if you’re curious on which mask is right for you. $4 each

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My Holy Grail Highlighter!

16 Oct

I’ve been using highlighters for a while now and have tried  many but have come to love Mac Mineralize skin finish in the shade soft & gentle.mac-1

It is my holy grail highlighter! I use it down the center of my nose, cupids bow, chin and upper cheekbones for a beautiful glow. I’ve been asked so many times about my highlighter and as promised, I’m finally sharing it with you guys today. The luminous champagne hue looks amazing on everyone. Check it out for yourself! ysjj

Happy highlighting,

Journey

My 5 Favorite Fall Lipsticks. (Including a gorgeous $1 red!!!)

23 Sep

Fall is officially here y’all and I’m so excited to wear richer colors, layers and gorgeous textures.  Fall makeup looks are some of my favorite hands down and beautiful lipstick is a staple for me during the fall. I’ve chosen my favorites and linked them below. I will list them from lowest $ to highest $$.

Happy Fall,

Xo Journey

Wet n Wild Cherry frost 514A $1. Super pigmented silky red with a slight shimmer .

wet n wild

NYX Lala $3.99. Creamy mauve/Plum.

NYX Lala

Maybelline Brazen Berry $7. Pretty purple meets magenta.

Brazen Berry

MAC Rebel $17. My favorite lip color of all time is a beautiful bold berry.

Mac Rebel

MAC Girl About town $17. The perfect bright fuchsia.

Mac GAT

Heaven In a Bottle! I Am Obsessed!

7 Sep

Let me start by saying that I am not one to buy a lot of different perfumes. I own about 6 total but have steadily used Versace Red Jeans and Vera Wang Princess for the last 8 years. I never thought I would add a third fragrance to my main lineup until I smelled Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium! WOW!!!! It is as intoxicating as a perfume can get. The scent is unique and bold, yet warm and sweet. It has vanilla, floral and coffee notes with some musky undertones. (not overpowering musk though) I think of it as the perfect blend of spicy and sweet and will be wearing it throughout Fall & Winter.

Side note: Black opium is an Eau de parfum so a little goes a long way.

Black Opium comes in 4 sizes ranging in price from $25-$115.

How gorgeous is that bottle? Also available in a blinged out version ($300) if you’re feeling really fancy.

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Kale Citrus Salad!

9 Jan

WOWOWOW!!!! This salad is amazing! I saw this on the Pioneer Woman show on the Food Network and had to give it a shot. I will link the recipe below.  I will definitely be adding this to my salad rotation – especially during the Summer months. The creamy goat cheese pairs perfect with the zingy oranges and the spicy jalepenos! I highly suggest this salad- adjust it to your tastes and make it your own. I adjusted the recipe slightly.

*I used garlic salt instead of regular salt.

*I skipped the spoon of sugar

*I used oranges- for the dressing and for the actual salad

*I added walnuts

*I used my favorite Earthbound Farm boxed baby Kale from sprouts-no chopping necessary

earthbound

KALE CITRUS SALAD RECIPE HERE

kale

Photo: The Pioneer Woman

New York City Eats & Sweets!

31 Mar

As you all know, the week before last I went to New York!!! I hung out with friends, shopped, and ate some really great food! Loads of really great food and sweets! I wanted to share some of my favorite spots with you all, so next time you’re in the NYC area, you too can partake in these delish spots!

Let’s start with the savory stuff. My favorite quick stop salad spot was a place called Chop’t!

IG14They make tons of different salads and chop them all together for you as you watch. Sounds kinda meh, but the salads were amazing!!!!!!

I also really enjoyed this great BBQ spot called Hill Country BBQ Market! I’m not too big on meat, but this place was SO yummy and had a fun atmosphere to boot!  (I didn’t get any pics,was too busy chowin’ down)

Quick Pizza joint in Brooklyn called La Bella Mariella was literally the best pizza I have ever had. The pizza I tried was called the Grandma and it was beyond any pizza!!!! This hole in the wall is easy to miss—-DON’T WALK BY!!!!! You will thank me!

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My all time favorite Italian food spot was a quaint place tucked away in Nolita called Rubirosa! Oh My gosh it was amazing from start to finish! Our party had three different dishes and shared a pizza as well as desserts and EVERYTHING was to die for and bursting with FLAVOR! Fresh pasta, delicious sauces, great service, amazing desserts! This is great for romantic dates or just an evening out with friends. I will go back as often as I possibly can when I’m on the east coast!IG8

 

Pictured: The spinach campanelle with the tie dye pizza in the background!IG7

Pictured: Tiramisu, cappuccino  and the chef’s special “funfetti” cake that had the most amazing almond flavor!

 

Now onto the SWEETS! I literally had sweets the entire time I was in the city. If you’re ever in NYC, these places are a MUST!

Momofuku Milk Bar: They have the greatest birthday cake truffles!! I was in heaven!

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Ladurée Paris: Let me say that YES this place is totally overpriced! Now that we got that out-of-the-way, let me tell you, they make some of the most delicious macarons I have ever tasted! and many unique flavors as well. You can treat yourself to one sweet treat at a time or build a custom box. They come in a variety of sizes.

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Magnolia Bakery: The BEST Banana Pudding EVER! I have no more words- it’s that good! There is a location in Los Angeles as well!

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That’s about it until my next NYC trip!!!

Urban Decay Revamps Eyeshadow

31 Mar

Everybody in the makeup industry is buzzing about Urban Decay’s complete revamping of the single eyeshadows. Urban Decay was the first “cool” eyeshadow I’d ever bought, not the same old colors that every other makeup brand offered. If you’re an Urban Decay shadow lover, then you’re gonna REALLY love this news!  Everything has changed, for the better. The actual eyeshadow formula, shade selection and packaging are different. The packaging is still a creative and cool subway token lookalike, but just a bit more modern. The color selection includes many of the previous shades that we all loved, best sellers, and favorites previously only available in select palettes for a total of 68 shades. As far as the formula, they have a super soft suede like velvety texture and even more blendable high pigmented distribution than the shadows I thought were already awesome! The color payoff is ridiculous, you don’t have to pack it on the lid with these dense pigments and the fallout is way less as well(no raccoon eyes)Sound like a dream come true?  Well it gets even better…… The newly designed cases allow for the shadow pots to be “popped” in and out. Why you ask? There is a new build your own palette YES you can select six different colors and mix and match them exactly how you want and  can change the palette as often as you wish. If your going on a tropical vacation you can take all your neutrals and grieges  along and if your headed to Vegas for the weekend you can bring your fun “party” colors. The palette comes with a travel size eyeshadow brush and one shadow to start you off called walk of shame (a peachy-pink matte shade perfect for base, highlighting or wearing alone) and comes in a sturdy mirrored case that’s fits easily into a purse. The palette with starter shadow is $18 and each eyeshadow is $18, so you basically get the case and brush for free!  Early launch RIGHT NOW only at Urbandecay.com  and Coming soon to beauty stores near you!!!!! and remember……Don’t forget your Primer!

Images: Urban Decay