Tag: music

November Favorites | Beauty & Lifestyle Loves

Happy Tuesday! It’s December now, and that means it’s time to share with you all of the things I loved in November. I feel like November flew by extremely quickly! To be honest, I didn’t change up my beauty or skincare routine much at all this month, so I don’t have too many new products to share. This time around I’ll be letting you into my daily life a bit more, so you can learn more about what I love in all aspects of my life. Let me jump right into my November Favorites!

FACE PRODUCT

elf HD Lifting Concealer – $3.00 [BUY]

My skin has been in a bad mood this month! I’m not sure if it’s the change in weather, the food I’m eating, or something else, but I’ve gotten some nasty breakouts and redness. I purchased this elf concealer on a whim back in May (see the haul HERE), and it does a great job at balancing my redness. Of course, it’s not a miracle worker, but for a $3 product it’s a great item to have in your collection when you need it.

LIP PRODUCT

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish Lipgloss in Sophia – $19.00 [BUY]

I got a mini size of this lipgloss in the Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip Kit I purchased last month (full review HERE), and I’ve been reaching for it more than any other lip product recently. The pink shade is absolutely perfect with my skin tone. It’s just a great everyday color, and the formula feels nice on the lips, too. I do wish it wasn’t minty, because that hurts my throat a bit, but I can deal with it. I love this color so much!

HAIR PRODUCT

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray – $13.95 [BUY]

The winter weather is creeping in, and my hair and skin are slowly drying out. I reached for this oil spray this month to add in a bit more moisture and shine to my otherwise dull hair. I spray just one or two times on my wet hair after showering, and then brush it through to spread the product. I find that this works really well, and it also smells great. Definitely make sure to use only a tiny bit, though, as it can be heavy!

ACTIVITY

Homemade White Cheez-Its | Adventures in Polishland

Baking – Homemade White Cheez-Its Pictured

I’ve been really into baking lately, and I’m trying to make something new about once per week. I’ve been focusing on healthier options, but with the holidays around the corner I know the snacks will get sweeter and sweeter. My first treat was homemade Cheez-Its, which turned out amazing! I’ll be sharing some of my recipes with all of you soon.

ETSY SHOP

Caitlin and Co. Designs [BUY]

I discovered a new Etsy Sticker Shop completely on a whim, and made a HUGE purchase. I’m so glad I ended up splurging on these. The quality is beyond top-notch, and the colors are so vibrant and beautiful. These stickers have really helped me and my planning routine. I cannot recommend this shop enough, so be sure to check it out. If you buy something, let her know I sent you in the Notes to Seller section!

TELEVISION SHOW

Image courtesy of abc.go.com

Dancing with the Stars

I go back and forth with loving Dancing with the Stars (“DWTS”), and not watching it at all. I got into this season towards the latter half, and it’s been a lot of fun. I’m writing this blog post on the day of the DWTS finale, so I don’t know who won yet! Right now I’m rooting for Bindi. I think she is a beautiful dancer, and she seems like such a genuinely nice person. I also enjoyed watching Nick Carter on the show despite being a diehard *NSYNC fan.

SONG

Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean? [BUY]

Dancing with the Stars also turned me on to this Justin Bieber song! I’ve never been one to listen to Justin Bieber, but I’m loving this song. It has a great beat, and is just so catchy. I’m loving the reinvented JB!

I hope all of you had a great November! Please share your favorites with me in the comments, too. I love to hear what you are all loving, especially new beauty products. There is just something fun about sharing the things we’re loving most!

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

August 2015 Favorites | Monthly Favorites are Back!

Happy Tuesday! It’s been quite a while since I posted about my monthly favorites, but I’ve decided to bring them back. Now that Adventures in Polishland has been dubbed (by me!) as a lifestyle blog with a beauty focus, I feel 100% comfortable sharing my favorites from all aspects of my life. Here you’ll get to see my favorite beauty products, but also my favorites in a variety of other categories. Let me show you what I’ve been loving all month long!

NAIL POLISH

Zoya – SiaZoya – Sia [REVIEW] [BUY]

I am beyond obsessed with this gorgeous blue from Zoya. Sia is the perfect nail polish, and I can’t wait to wear it again and again this fall. The pigmentation is stunning, and the color is my kind of blue. You need Sia in your life!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top CoatSally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’m also really impressed with the newly reformulated Miracle Gel Top Coat. It makes a huge difference in a manicure’s appearance, and can be used with any polish. I’m making this my go-to top coat from now on.

BEAUTY

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator in RoseL’Oreal True Match LUMI Powder Glow Illuminator in Rose [BUY]

I wanted to test out a highlighter from the drugstore, and squealed when I saw this rose gold packaging and product from L’Oreal. It was a bit pricey for the drugstore at $12.99, but 100% worth the price. It is such a beautiful highlight, and goes really welly with my fair skin. I highly recommend it!

Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos

Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos [BUY]

I got this blush in a Birchbox a few months back, and was a little intimidated by the bright tangerine color and pops of shimmer. I finally tested it out this summer and love it! I use a very light hand and find that the color is really flattering. Plus, the water resistant formula stays put all day. This blush is high end, but a great investment piece for your beauty collection.

elf Angled Blush Brush [HAUL] [BUY]

Along with the blush, I’ve been using this brush from elf. I am amazed at how nice this brush is for the price – it’s only $3! The brush is super soft, and applies blush really well no matter the brand. I’m definitely going to purchase more brushes from this line in the future. If you have any favorites, tell me in the comments!

FOOD

Nutella

I’ve loved Nutella for years and years, but I don’t buy it often because I have zero self control when it’s in my possession. My mom bought this for me as a treat, and the jar was gone in a few days. I ate it mainly with pretzels, but let’s be real, I took a couple spoonfuls as well. Nutella is an amazing treat, but that’s enough for me for a while!

STICKER SHOP

HelloAshleyann [SHOP]

My planner hobby is still in full swing, and my favorite place to buy stickers in August was HelloAshleyann on Etsy. I have a soft spot for this shop because it was the first shop I ever bought stickers from, but I also fell in love with the new, limited edition kits the shop decided to put out once per month. I’ve linked a Plan With Me featuring the Planner Nerd kit above, and although this kit is no longer available, I highly recommend you join her Facebook Group HERE to learn about upcoming kits. The sticker quality is amazing, and the customer service is, too.

SONG

Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon [BUY]

Last but not least, I love the song Shut Up and Dance! It is SO catchy in the best way possible. I don’t listen to Top 40 much anymore, but somehow this song came into my life and I’m so glad it did.

What did you love in August?! Tell me in the comments! 

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

#PolishlandPresents | My Best Buy Gift List for the #HintingSeason

Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Happy Monday! I’ve shared with you some of my favorite beauty and skincare gift ideas thus far during #PolishlandPresents, but I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that electronics are always at the top of many wish lists this time of year. Today I’m excited to tell you about some awesome items that are found at Best Buy. I’ve always enjoyed shopping at Best Buy for electronics because of the store’s great customer service and affordable prices (I don’t hunt for bargains just in the beauty department, you know!). Let me tell you about some of the top items on my holiday gift list and why you should check them out, too!

Xbox One

Starting at $349.99 [BUY]

Whether you’re a diehard gamer or simply looking for the next all-in-one device, the Xbox One is the perfect gift for the entire family. You’ll want this console because it has exclusive titles such as Call of Duty, NBA 2K15, Just Dance 15, and more. That means you can only play these sought after games if you have the Xbox One! Plus, the Xbox One goes beyond just gaming to enable you to watch TV shows and movies through your favorite apps. How fun does this console sound?! You can even choose a specific bundle from Best Buy to get added savings.

JBL Speakers and Headphones

Starting at $59.99 [BUY]

If you’re shopping for a music lover like me, JBL has some awesome goodies to gift! First, the JBL Charge 2 is a portable bluetooth speaker with twin passive radiators for a deep bass. This speaker also has an outstanding battery life and allows up to three different users to play their own playlists on a single speaker, making this perfect for households with a variety of music tastes. Next, the JBL Flip 2 speaker includes the unique SoundClear for echo and noise cancellation. It also has a microphone system so you can pick up calls on the speaker. That makes it great for those who work at home! Finally, the JBL Reflect Earbud Headphones are really cool. They have a sweat proof ergonomic design with built-in magnets to keep your buds on standby without loose cables. Enjoy your music for 5 hours with the rechargeable battery! It’s time to turn in those crappy headphones that came with your smartphone, friends!

Garmin and TomTom

Starting at $79.99 [BUY]

Of course, some of the best holiday gifts when it comes to electronics is a brand new GPS. Speaking as someone who easily gets lost, I think a GPS is a caring and practical present! Best Buy has some great new models from which to choose this season. All feature bluetooth connectivity that allows for hands-free calling, traffic and weather updates, and more. Definitely make sure to check out the Garmin 52LM and Garmin 2597LMT, and also the TomTom Go 50s (pictured above). If you’re wondering about which model is best, use the Compare feature on Best Buy’s website to see a complete listing of each model’s features. It’s really helpful and easy to use!

Those are all of the new electronics I have to share with you from Best Buy, but the best part is you can find all sorts of other gift ideas at this one store. If you’re struggling to find a present for someone on your list, head into Best Buy and you’re sure to find innovative products at great prices. Definitely let me know what you’ve been wishing for this #HintingSeason in the comments, and stay tuned for more #PolishlandPresents posts as we near Christmas!

’50s Sock Hop Nails | Easy Halloween Tutorial

Happy Saturday! I got a great response from my last Halloween nail tutorial (see it HERE) that I decided to create another one! Growing up, one of my favorite Halloween costumes was a ’50s inspired Sock Hop outfit. My mom sewed me a custom poodle skirt and black bolero, and I was ready to rock to some doo-wop tunes! If you’re going to don this classic outfit idea on Halloween, I’ve got just the nails for you. Plus, stay tuned to find out how to take this manicure from ’50s Sock Hop to Punk Rock in one easy step!

'50s Sock Hop Nails | Adventures in PolishlandAll you need to create this look is a pink nail polish, black nail polish, dotting tool, and nail art brush. Start with a pink base, and let that dry. Then draw a straight line on your pointer finger using a nail art brush for the G-clef. Use the dotting tools to create the noteheads in any way you choose. Now comes the tricky part! Carefully draw on the rest of your G-clef and the stems for your notes. It’s okay if the lines aren’t perfect – mine aren’t! Finally, let your manicure dry and follow up with a glossy top coat.

Here are the exact products that I used in this tutorial, but feel free to use what’s in your stash!

  • Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Fuchsia Flare [BUY]
  • Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Tarred [BUY]
  • Born Pretty Store Nail Art Brush [BUY] (10% off with code FZL91)
  • Dragonpad Dotting Tools [BUY]

Punk Rock Nails | Adventures in PolishlandIf you’re going for more of a Punk Rock costume this year, simply add a black and white glitter polish on top of the already existing manicure! That will add some pizazz to your nails and give the look a bit more of an edge. I used Milani in Sprinkles, but whatever you own will be great. For even more flare, use some holographic glitter as well!

I hope you enjoyed today’s Halloween nail tutorial! Whether you’re dressing as a ’50s Sock Hop girl or Punk Rocker, this manicure will be sure to add a little something special to your costume. Please let me know what you think in the comments, and let me know if there are any other tutorials you would like to see for Halloween!

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

 

Indie Spotlight: Echoes Collection from Different Dimension

Calling all Pink Floyd fans! Today I have a review of the Echoes collection from the indie brand Different Dimension. This set of six unique polishes perfectly represents the band’s iconic image from the album The Dark Side of the Moon, and is super fun for summer. Let me show you this totally rad collection!

 

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First up is Wish You Were Here, a glitter top coat that I layered over China Glaze Surreal Appeal. Wish You Were Here is full of lots of fun glitters in the colors pink, fuchsia, blue, and silver. I absolutely love the large circle glitters and the squares! I applied one coat in the photos above. As you can see, the large circles reflect the light and create a holographic effect. Wish You Were Here is very unique, and perfect for the summer sunshine.

 

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Next up is Another Brick in the Wall, a glitter top coat that I layered over Urban Outfitters Freakin Pink. Another Brick in the Wall is comprised of white and black fine glitters, white, black, and pink rectangles, and hot pink hexagonal glitters. There is also a sprinkling of silver holographic glitters for that extra shine. I applied one coat in the photos above. Unfortunately the pink glitters got a bit washed out in the photographs, but in real life they stood out great on the pink background. If bright colors aren’t for you, wear Another Brick in the Wall over a neutral polish for a toned down look!

 

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Money is the next polish in the Echoes collection. It is a white base filled with neon green, neon yellow, blue, black, and gold glitters in a variety of shapes and sizes. Money can be worn alone as it is opaque in three coats, but I wanted the neon glitters to really stand out, so I layered two coats over a white polish. Money has a great formula that is easy to apply in layers, and once again the circle glitters make a very cool statement in this polish. The color combination also lives up to the money theme quite well!

 

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Next up is Time, a glitter top coat that I layered over Essie Play Date. Time is full of black, silver, and purple glitters in all shapes an sizes, including diamonds, stars, squares, and large circles. I applied one coat to get the look in the photos above. It should be noted that the large circle glitters do appear curled, but that is just reflective curling. They lay perfectly flat on the nail! The star shaped glitter also has a stunning holographic shine when it hits the light. Time is definitely a rock star polish!

 

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Comfortably Numb is the next polish in the Echoes collection, and is a glitter top coat will hot pink and yellow glitters. I layered one coat over Zoya Arizona in the photos above. The yellow glitters are hard to see in the photos, but my manicure looked amazing in person with all of the neon colors together. To make the neon glitters really pop, layer Comfortably Numb over a white polish. I think this polish would also look great with a matte top coat!

 

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Last but not least is my favorite polish from the bunch, Hey You. Hey You has a light purple base and is full of pink and purple glitters with a sprinkle of holographic shine. I layered two coats of Hey You over Sally Hansen Lacey Lilac, as it perfectly matched the base color and I wanted to ensure opacity. I just adore the final product! The colors are stunning, and I love the pastel base. Hey You can easily transition from spring to summer, and is such a feminine polish.

All in all, I am loving the Echoes collection from Different Dimension! Each polish has an amazing formula, and the glitters apply with ease. I also find that these polishes are so unique, and offer glitter shapes that many other brands don’t incorporate. I think these polishes are a must for Pink Floyd fans and polish fans alike! Shop the collection on Etsy HERE for $8.50 each. You can also follow Different Dimension on Facebook HERE.

 

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