los angeles – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: los angeles

September Lifestyle Favorites!

Posted on September 26, 2016September 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! We have just a few days left in September, and I wanted to share with you everything I’ve been loving this month. It’s been a really great month for me, most notably because I got to travel to visit family in Los Angeles. As far as beauty products go, I’ve been working hard to use up all of the products in my stash lately, so I haven’t discovered anything new. That being said, I loved a lot of things about September, and want to let you in on all the goodness!

NAIL POLISH

LVX – Azzurrum [BUY]

I absolutely love wearing navy nail polish once fall hits, and my go to polish is LVX Azzurrum. This is a high end polish that retails for $18, but it is worth the splurge in my opinion. The formula is excellent, and this polish is really long-wearing. I always go back to this navy color, and think it is a staple for any collection. Plus, it’s always great to support a small business – LVX is made in the USA!

FASHION

Elect Your Local Cat Lady T-Shirt [BUY]

I was doing some clothes shopping at the mall, and the last thing I expected to buy was a graphic tee. However, when I saw this hilarious Elect Your Local Cat Lady t-shirt at Francesca’s, I had to get it! Not only is this shirt funny, but it’s really good quality and the softest t-shirt in my wardrobe. I love politics and cats, so this shirt is pretty representative of me. I also thinks it gives me a good opportunity to bring up politics in a lighthearted way when I’m wearing it!

FOOD

118 Degrees LA [WEBSITE]

Finding vegan food in Los Angeles was a breath of fresh air! I enjoyed so many delicious meals while on vacation, but one of the standouts is the Fried Avocado Rolled Tacos from the restaurant 118 Degrees. My family and I stumbled upon this restaurant, which just so happens to be raw vegan. I’ve never been to a raw vegan place before, and I was amazed! My tacos were amazing! I gobbled them down super quickly. The service was also excellent – the server had the chef prepare fruit salad and smaller portions for my nephew. I highly recommend checking out 118 Degrees whether you are raw vegan or not!

MUSIC

True Colors by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake [BUY]

You all know by now that I am a huge Justin Timberlake fan, so it’s no surprise one of his new songs from the DreamWorks Trolls soundtrack made it on this list. I am blown away by how beautiful this cover of True Colors is. I’ve had it on repeat since it was released!

TELEVISION

Dancing with the Stars

I am also loving the new season of Dancing with the Stars! It’s still early, but my favorites this time around are Calvin Johnson, Jr. and Laurie Hernandez. I feel like the judges have been very tough in the scores so far. I’m interested to see how things will continue this season! It’s still a bit too early to see any real standouts in the cast.

SPORTS

The fall also brings football! You might know I am originally from New England, so I am a Patriots fan. I wasn’t sure how things would go for the Pats with Tom Brady suspended for the first four games. It’s been a ton of fun watching the guys advance to 3-0 on the season! I hope they can continue to dominate on the field as the season continues.

EXPERIENCE

Visiting Los Angeles

I’ve been very lucky to visit Los Angeles, California several times now. In fact, this was my fifth trip in just over two years! As I mentioned, I have family in the area, so I go to visit as often as I can. I absolutely love spending time in person with my nephew. I might not be with him often, but I treasure the moments we get together. During this trip we got to visit the beach, the park, the LA County Fair, and much more. I miss him terribly when I come home, but there is always FaceTime!

That wraps up everything I loved in the month of September! I feel like so many exciting things happen in the fall, and we are just getting started with my favorite season of the year. I’ve already begun eating some pumpkin treats, so you can expect to see that on next month’s list! As always, please share your current favorites with me in the comments. You can also use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can find your posts! Here’s to a great October!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

5 Beauty Must-Haves for Your Los Angeles Vacation

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you my top must-have beauty products for when I travel to Los Angeles. I visit Los Angeles about 1-2 times per year because I have family there, and I’ve become quite the veteran at packing for the trip. Los Angeles has a very unique climate, especially for someone like me who lives on the East Coast of the United States. The dry heat of LA can really affect your skin and hair, so I’ve put together a list of the absolute necessities to help you fill your makeup bag. Let me share my beauty must-haves for any Los Angeles vacation!

1. Face Wipes Travel Pack

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes [BUY]

I am a huge cleansing wipe junkie, and that doesn’t change when I travel! I like to pick up a travel pack at Target so that I can use the wipes while traveling, and toss them before coming home. The reason I recommend the Yes to Blueberries wipes for Los Angeles is because they not only help to cleanse the skin, but they help moisturize as well. Wipes are perfect for cooling off in the sun, and keeping the skin clean while out and about. Keep this pouch in your beach bag so you can freshen up on the go!

2. Mini Dry Shampoo

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

Next up is a travel size dry shampoo. My hair gets oily really easily, so I rely on dry shampoo to keep it looking fresh between washes. Whether you’re visiting the beach, spending the day at a theme park, or simply hoping to give your hair a boost before going out, dry shampoo is a must. I’ve never tried the Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo before, but I found it in Target’s travel section, so I decided to pick it up. Dry shampoo is one of those products you just can’t decant into a smaller bottle, so I spend a few extra dollars for a mini one.

3. Foundation Stick

ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick [BUY]

I absolutely love bringing stick foundation with me on vacation. Not only is it really simple to apply with just your fingers, but it doesn’t need to be packed in your 3-1-1 bag because it’s not liquid! I like the ELF Cosmetics stick foundation because it has a moisturizing formula. My skin gets very dry on the flight to Los Angeles, and in LA’s natural climate, so every bit of added moisturization helps. You can see a full review of this product HERE.

4. Facial Sunscreen

Tarte TarteGuard SPF 30 [BUY]

Next up is a facial sunscreen, which is an absolute necessity if you are spending a lot of your vacation outside. I normally use a foundation or primer with SPF in it, as I’m not in the sun enough for a dedicated sunscreen. However, in Los Angeles I’m often at an outdoor park, eating outside, etc., so it’s nice to have a stronger SPF for my face. I got this Tarte sunscreen in a subscription box, and I love the light consistency.

5. Translucent Powder

ELF Cosmetics Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

Last but not least is a translucent and mattifying powder. My skin gets really oily, even in a dry heat, so I like to set my face with powder every day. I recently got the ELF Cosmetics powder, and I love this compact for travel because it has a huge mirror that makes touching up easy. Plus, the packaging is slim and sleek to fit in my purse.

That wraps up my top beauty must-haves for any Los Angeles vacation! I hope you found this post helpful as you pack for your trip. If you need more travel tips, make sure to check out my Jet Away June series HERE for packing advice, airplane travel, and more. I hope you have a fun and safe vacation to Los Angeles!

What are your beauty must-haves for vacation? Share in a comment!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Summer 2014 Favorites | Beauty, Lifestyle, & More!

Posted on September 6, 2014August 31, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! You may have noticed that this summer I didn’t post my usual monthly favorites. By the end of June and then July, I realized that I was reusing the same products over and over, and thought a combined summer favorites would be the best way to share my new favorite products with you. Plus, it’s a great way to reflect over the past few months! This was probably the last summer vacation I’ll ever have, since I’ve just embarked on my final year of school. Let me show you everything I loved the past few months!

NAIL POLISH

L’Oreal Jean & Tonic [REVIEW]

I wore this textured shade from L’Oreal a ton this summer! In fact, I made a dent in the bottle because I loved it so much! Make sure to check out my review for more details. If you like this polish, make sure to check the limited edition displays at your local drugstore ASAP.

MASCARA

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Black [BUY]

I finally tried the famous Clump Crusher and I’m so glad I did! It really separates my lashes for a full look. I do wish it had a bit more “va va voom,” but I can always layer a thicker mascara on top for a more dramatic look. If you’re looking for a great mascara to use on the daily, I recommend this one.

EYEBROWS

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light [BUY]

I rediscovered this brow product over the summer, and pulled it out from the depths of my makeup collection! I’ve used it a ton, and I’ve found that the powder looks really natural and is easy to apply. I still use my eyebrow pencils sometimes, but in the hot summer sun, powder was the best option. Plus, this stuff lasts forever!

BLUSH

NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY]

I finally reached for cream blush this summer, and I’m happy I got over my cream blush fear! It’s lightweight and extremely blendable, so I don’t look cakey. I definitely need to pick up more cream blushes for my collection, so let me know your favorites in the comments!

PRIMER

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner [BUY]

I brought this sample size primer with me when I was traveling and fell in love! It’s just like my beloved Too Faced Primed & Poreless, but even better. Unfortunately, the full size is $45 (yikes), so I’ve been making this sample last as long as possible. If your budget allows for Pores No More, I say get it!

FRAGRANCE

Coconut Lime Breeze Body Spray [BUY]

I love lighter scents in the summer, and reach for body sprays more than perfumes. I got this one during the Bath & Bodyworks semi-annual sale for just $1.50, and I love it! It’s sweet, but not sickening. I pretty much love anything with a coconut scent, though!

TV SHOW

Big Love

I watched a lot of shows on Amazon Prime this summer, one of them being the complete series of Big Love. I don’t get HBO, so it was great to be able to watch some HBO shows for free this summer with my Prime subscription. Big Love was so addicting! It’s about a polygamist family in Utah. There is serious family drama, and it always kept me at the edge of my seat. I highly recommend it, but ask your parents if you’re under 18 since it has a lot of violence and some adult content.

BOOK

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa [BUY]

I also read a lot this summer, and one of my favorites was the Blood of Eden trilogy by Julie Kagawa. I’m always hesitant when it comes to vampires because of the whole Twilight thing, but gave this series a try, and I’m so glad I did! Kagawa does an amazing job of combining vampires into the dystopian genre. The trilogy follows teenager Allison as she decides to become a vampire, and the new life she must lead. The first book in the series is called The Immortal Rules (liked above). I highly recommend it!

EXPERIENCES

West Coast Adventures – Los Angeles & Las Vegas

I had the amazing opportunity this summer to visit both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. My brother and sister-in-law live in LA, so I made sure to visit them and meet my new nephew for the first time! It was wonderful to see them! I also met up with my grandma and cousin out there, and we took a road trip to Vegas. I’ve never been to Vegas before and it was an unbelievable experience. I thought NYC was big! If you ever get the change to visit Las Vegas, go! There is something for everyone!

All in all, I had a great summer even though it went by super quickly! Please let me know in the comments some of the products you loved these past few months. Also let me know what your favorite moment of the summer was. Feel free to tag me on social media using the hashtag #PolishlandFaves so I can see your photos!

This post contains some affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.