Best of 2012 Tag!

Best of 2012 Tag

Now that 2012 is over, it's time for favorites of the year. I'm so excited for 2013, let's hope it's one of our best years ever!

I got this tag from hkitty1122's video. If you haven't seen it, check it out!


Now, on to the favorites!

BEAUTY

1. Face product
I would have to say my Mabelline Dream Matte powder in medium Honey. I use it with a powder puff to set my undereye concealer and on my t-zone. Amazing. Stays matte all day!

2. Cheek product
I'm not a huge fan of blush or highlighters, so I am going to go with my Two Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer. I love that it smells like cocoa, and it isn't orange at all. Perfect for contouring!

3. Eye product
DEFINITELY rediscovered my love for the Urban Decay Primer Potion. Many nights I went to bed without taking my makeup off [ I know, tisk tisk ], but when I woke up in the morning my eye makeup didn't move at ALL! It's too legit to quit :]

4. Lip Product
The Revlon Kissable Just Bitten balm stains. My favorite is Honey and they are amazing. Can't say anything better than amazing.

5. Skincare Product
My Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer. I have semi-sensitive combination skin and this works great. Other moisturizers either make my face oily or clog my pores. Not this one.

6. Nail Polish
Anything Sinful Colors. I have almost all of the colors. They have great staying power, and I can go a good week plus without them chipping. A favorite is their color Easy Going. It's a perfect light pink that just make your hands look polished and put together. As for a top coat, this will never change - Seche Vite!

7. Hair product
My Dove Hair Therapy Oil Care detangler. I have a full review post on it if you want to check it out!
DOVE REVIEW

8. Body product/Perfume
Versace Bright Crystal perfume! I also got Lady Gaga's Fame for Christmas and I'm really enjoying it.

FASHION

9. Clothing piece
My Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans! They are so comfortable and don't choke my ankles. I got them in every color. I lived in them. Also, any type of legging.

10. Accessory
Scarves! This year is the first year that I really got into them. They add pizazz to any outfit. I wear mostly black and neutrals, so having a choice of pops of color was awesome.

11. Pair of shoes
I have 2 - my Uggs and my riding/combat boots! Both look so cute with skinny jeans.

RANDOM

12. Favorite TV Show/Movie
The Dark Knight Rises! Need I say more?

13. Favorite book
I'm going with The Hunger Games series. I know there was a lot of hype about the 50 Shades series, but I LOVED and was completely engrossed in the Hunger Games. The movie did the book no justice. The book wins hands down.

14. Food
I love food. No way I can pick.

15. Beverage
Coffee. Crystal Light To-Go. Tangerine margaritas.

16. Favorite song
This I can't answer. I have SO many. I love music. Hmm, honorable mentions? Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars. I'm Different by 2Chainz. Anything Lindsey Stirling. She's amazing.

Well that was easy. I hope you enjoyed, and I tag everyone! I love seeing what everyone else liked for the year. Like I said, I'm glad 2012 is over and I'm ready to start fresh in 2013! I wish a good year to all of you :]

Lots of Love,
XOXO Mary

Fall Makeup Trends 2012

Fall is right around the corner and that means new makeup trends for a new season. Of course there are staples and repeats that are usually dubbed "fall makeup" like strong brows and red lips but this year there are a few looks that are a little more... out there. I chose the 5 I like the most. There are so many sites and magazines out that will tell you all of them, but I am showcasing the ones I feel are most user friendly, usable.
So here are my top 5 trends for fall!

1. Futuristic Eyes
Makeup artists went crazy applying grease paint around the eyes at Prada and smudging black kohl liners at Marc Jacobs. The runway looks are always more extreme but, you can push the envelope a little more than usual with dramatic dark carbon black liner applied thickly and saturated eye shadows past your outer corner for that dramatic pop.


2. Blackberry Lips
Red is always on the list of trends for fall but the trend this year is a deep mulled-wine or "blackberry" stain with chocolate brown undertones.You can go for a creamy matte all the way to a high patent-leather looking gloss. The best way to wear this look is with a FLAWLESS face. The saturation can be as sheer or as opaque as you dare, but remember to exfoliate those lips for a flake-free pout. To see a PERFECT way to get this look, check this video by Jackie. It's perfection.


3. Defined Brows

Always on point with fall. Play up your brow shape by feathering on pencils and shadows to really bring out your arch — and just for fun, the daring can even add a few sparkles like were seen on the runway.

4. Mesmerizing Multi-Toned Eyes

Statement-making eyes, the kind of jewel tones like blue-brown, cool greens, and cobalt. For a chic look, go for shadows with hints of silver or gold mixed into the color to soften the effect and complement your skin tone.

5. Smoky Browns

Fashion shows and make up companies love to reinvent black. This year, brown is "the new black". The nice  thing about brown is its versatility. You can go chocolate or tan and it can be layered on for more or less intensity and suits all complexions. Try rimming your eyes with anything from khaki to mocha, then blurring it out for a smoldering look.

I have plans to create some of these trends and put them on here. Is anyone going to try any of these new and improved staples of fall trends??

Lots of Love,
XOXO Mary

My Road to Healthy: Getting (and staying!) Motivated

Motivation.

This is by far the hardest part of my journey to getting healthy. I have the food/diet down, and I'm sticking to it really well. I've been cooking alot and have found a TON of things that are good for me and really good. But exercising? Not so much. In the beginning it's such a novelty, you're pumped, enthused, full of adrenaline. Then, as all things, the novelty fades and reality comes back. I made this routine for myself - I was stuck to this new regime for a good week. Then the "oh, I did it yesterday I can skip today" excuses kicked in. I was "busy". Tired. Had to clean. Whatever. I am now made of excuses.

I needed to figure out a way to stay motivated, so I did a little searching online to find good tips on staying motivated when all you want to do is catch up on my DVR. 

I put together a list of things that helped me, and I wanted to share it with you guys in case we are all in the same boat, or just need that little boost to keep your enthusiasm up!

- Don’t start off trying to work out an hour every day and trying to lose 50 pounds in a month. Start with 20-30 minutes of exercise two to three times a week. Going for 10 pounds a week is unhealthy, and really overwhelming. It puts a lot of pressure on yourself, and that is when the motivation can fly right out the window.

- Don't forget to chart your progress, whether it's with a high-tech online tracker or an old-fashioned fitness journal. Seeing the tiny improvements, whether it's increased reps, faster walking, heavier weights, smaller measurements or working out more often, can really help boost your exercise motivation. This one tip really helps me.

- Don't compare yourself to others. Just don't do it. I don't know about anyone else, but it just depresses me.

- Have a support system. Maybe a friend can be a gym buddy or walk around the block with you. Help eachother out!

- Find some sort of fun in it. I HATE it and doubt I will ever find "fun" in sweating and huffing and puffing. I'm trying though, so that works. I don't do the gym, maybe one day, but for now I stick to at home DVD's and am attempting to walk more.

- You can make working out easier on yourself by splitting your exercise session into two or three sessions. Walk in the morning, do a dvd in the afternoon, walk again at night. This can be as beneficial as one long workout. So if you don’t feel like exercising for an hour at a time, do three sessions of 20 minutes each or something.

- Now my favorite, obviously lol. Reward yourself! Something that you enjoy, like a movie or shopping.
Try to think of treats that remind yourself that you are enjoying this because of all the great things you have been doing for yourself!

I hope this helped some people who are struggling like I am. I will do another update, or post another blog when I find some more tips or tricks that I would love sharing with all of you! Let's keep it up :]

Lots of Love,
XOXO Mary

This or That - A Tag!

Heyyy! I've been a little under the weather this week and I've still had to manage my house! But I wanted to at least get a post up. Here is a tag from youtube! I'm makeup-less today but still wanted to post :]
If you would like to answer them, post it on your blog and let me know! I'd love to see what other people say. This is just for fun!

Here are the questions:

Makeup:
blush or bronzer? bronzer, change up the color and it can double as a blush too ;]
lip gloss or lipstick? neither, but if my life depended on it, lipstick.
eye liner or mascara? mascara!
foundation or concealer? concealer. i don't use foundation.
neutral or color eye shadow? both! it really depends on my mood. but for everyday i'd say more neutral.
pressed or loose eye shadows? pressed. i can't be bothered with the messiness of a loose one.
brushes or sponges? brushes :]

Nails:
OPI or china glaze? OPI
Long or short? long-ish. more medium "active" length
Acrylic or natural? neither, GEL!
Brights or dark? neither, i always have a french manicure.
Flower or no flower? no flower. i don't like any embellishments other than some glitter now and then.

Body:
perfume or body splash? if i remember, perfume. but i prefer body sprays.
lotion or body butter? i don't moisturize! i hate the feeling of lotion.
body wash or soap? body wash, exfoliating to be exact.
lush or other bath company? neither. never been to a lush. don't care too much about that stuff.

Fashion:
jeans or sweat pants? sweat pants!
long sleeve of short? uh, depends on the weather.
dresses or skirts? dresses
stripes or plaid? ugh, stripes i guess.
flip flops or sandals? flip flops!
scarves or hats? hats :]
studs or dangly earrings? studs
necklaces or bracelets? bracelets
heels or flats? i would love to wear heels, bad ankle though, so flats.
cowboy boots or riding boots? riding boots
jacket or hoodie? hoodie all the way!
forever 21 or charlotte russe? neither. old navy :]
abercombie or Hollister? neither again.
saks 5th or nordstrom? nordstrom

Hair:
curly or straight? straight
bun or ponytail? ponytail
bobby pins or butterfly clips? bobby pins
hair spray or gel? spray gel :]
long or short? long!
light or dark? dark, i rarely stray too far from my natural color [1B]
side sweep bangs or full bangs? side swept, i like the option of getting hair out of my face.
up or down? up! i'm very low maintenance when it comes to my hair.

Random:
Rain or shine? shine, of course!
Summer or winter? Fall, but i'll say summer
Fall or spring? woo, fall!
Chocolate or vanilla? ew, neither.
East coast or west coast? east coast!!

Well that took forever, now I tag EVERYONE!

Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO