Lifestyle Archives - Page 11 of 17 - Twenty Something Plus

April 1, 2015

What is Monarch Workshop?

A few times, I’ve mentioned Monarch Workshop, but I haven’t really talked about the full experience. After attending for the second time, some sharing needs to happen.

In the fall, Monarch Workshop was held in the B:Hive, this time we convened there in the AM for coffee, but then moved to The Bananaland.

There was food provided by Whisk + Brush throughout the day.

Yoga happened.

It was much needed.

There were tons of raffle prizes.

And swag. SO. MUCH. SWAG.

We were inspired.

We crafted.

We ‘grammed. A lot. I even got to take over the Stiletto Shoe Lounge Instagram Account!

And this is just in a nutshell.

Monarch Workshop is by far the most (if not the only) holistic workshop EVER. We talked about everything from nutrition to networking and then some. And even better? I can honestly say I’ve made some really great friends.

Plus, PHOTOBOOTH!

If you’re thinking about attending, I encourage you to treat yourself. And if you’re not thinking about attending, I think you should at least think about it…

Thank you, Maddie, Jessica and Dream Team for another unbelievably empowering experience!

Every single one of these photos is from Victoria Gloria, because I love her oh so mucho and her photos totally put the ones I’d taken to shame.

Also, in case you needed a little more encouragement, here are some blog posts from other Monarch Workshop attendees (one of them is a video!):

Sami Jo of Poor & Pretty
Mary of Uncustomary Art
Christine of CrissCross Journeys
Whitney of Leopard Spots & Pineapple Dots
Kimberly of Happy Healthy Hearts
Melissa of the Haven Collective
Cassandra of Cassandra Madeline
Maya of Mojalvo

March 2, 2015

Quick and Easy DIY Lip Scrub

I have lips that are on the more full side and if I don’t exfoliate them with a lip scrub, gross things happen.

Even though it is now March, it is still very much so winter. I know this because I’ve needed to pick away the blatant dead skin off my lips more times than I care to share…

Lip treatments, balms, and glosses are great, but if you are not exfoliating, then peeling is going to happen.

My current favorite lip scrub is one I found on Pinterest from Her Campus. It’s really easy and you only need three ingredients that you can probably find in your kitchen.

Just a tablespoon of sugar, the same amount of honey, and a teaspoon of olive oil. Mix and store. My mom happened to have some salad dressing cups and they were the perfect size!

There’s quite a few different lip scrub concoctions that I’ve come across, but I haven’t tried too many. Do you have one that you swear by?

February 17, 2015

Striving for Progress

While I have been trying to progress in many aspects of my life, I can’t shake that feeling that I haven’t really accomplished much.

That is until I creeped on my own Instagram feed…

A few days ago I posted this selfie.

Fresh face and my Layla.

A photo posted by Bethany Everett (@twentysomethingplus) on Feb 15, 2015 at 11:53am PST

Less than a year ago I posted this one.

From no lashes to lashes like whoa! And, yes, #theyrereal! #benefit #realsies A photo posted by Bethany Everett (@twentysomethingplus) on Mar 25, 2014 at 9:12am PDT

Notice a difference?
I sure do!

Over-tweezing was one of my biggest beauty weaknesses. After coming to the realization that if I wanted thicker brows it meant I’d have to put the tweezers down, I stopped plucking. I have since learned restraint and only clean up very obvious stray hairs.

Would you believe me if I told you that in both photos my brows had been groomed? I am wearing eyebrow gel and brushed them to make sure they were their fullest. And get this, they were also both taken with the front camera on my iPhone!

These changes may not have been the most earth shattering, but they are proof that the things we want to achieve often take effort and happen over time.

Keep striving!

February 11, 2015

Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Manfriend

Valentine’s Day is Saturday.

This Saturday.

I’m not freaking out, because I’ve got my gifts for the manfriend wrapped and ready to go!

What did I get him?

While my boudoir mini sesh was totally for me, I figured why not let the manfriend benefit a little from it as well.

At the suggestion of Victoria Gloria, I used Artifact Uprising to print a custom photo calendar using 12 of my favorite shots from the shoot.

Soy Candle

I had also recently attended a candle making workshop with Northeast Nutmeg, where I got to make three Valentine’s Day-themed scented candles. I gave one candle to my mom and kept one for myself, but set the third aside to gift with the calendar. And since I felt like crafting I made a no-sew heart garland, just because…

No-sew heart garland

I know, he’s spoiled.

Andrew claims that he’s already gotten me something, so naturally, I’m dying to know what my Valentine’s Day gifts from him are…

To be honest, I would be extremely happy just getting to go and see 50 Shades of Gray.

Judge away.

February 2, 2015

Birchbox Plus Because Sometimes More is More

I don’t consider myself to be greedy.

However, sometimes a girl just wants more.

Birchbox gets that. In addition to your monthly subscription box, you can now add-on items!

When I saw the January Birchbox Plus selection, I wanted them all. I had a little extra cash at the time, so I splurged. Hey, treat yo’self, right?

This is not a luxury I will be able to indulge in often but it was SO worth it! Had it not been for this option, and reduced pricing, there is probably next to no way that I’d have been lucky enough to get my hands on some of these coveted blogger favorites.

The Everygirl Travel Mug | $18

Pointe Studio Grip Sock Set | $10-12/pair

Bow & Drape Sweatshirt | $48

And as an extra little added bonus they threw in a Tosi Almond Super Bites Mini and some Kusmi BB Detox Tea. I got all of this for under $60. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me, and well worth the wait!

If you don’t have Birchbox and want it, sign up here.
Not convinced?
Check out some of my other Birchbox posts.

Also, make sure to stay tuned for my February Birchbox unboxing. I’m thinking about giving video another go…
Thoughts?

January 26, 2015

Bisou Bisou Themed Boudior

One of my goals for this year was to do something, ANYTHING, with Victoria Gloria Photography.

Boudoir is not what I had in mind.
But when the stars align…

You say yes.

And take off your clothes.

I don’t want to pretend that I am the most body confident person, but I’ve learned to fake it.

It helps when the theme is very Bisou Bisou.

Think all things, French, boho, and romance.

Thank you SO much Victoria, Allie, Madeline, Laura, and Elizabeth! You all helped to make me feel drop dead sexy.

And of course no boudoir session would be complete without a little confetti!

Fun fact: I am almost always cold, in case you didn’t notice the ever so slight goosebumps or the not so stealthy covering of the nips…

Photos by Victoria Gloria | Set by Oh My Gemini | Style by Little Red’s Well | Makeup by Laura from Larissa Lake Makeup Artist | Hair by Elizabeth Allen

For a little BTS action, follow the hashtag #vgpboudoir on Instagram!

Loving the Bisou Bisou banner? The Bannerie.

January 12, 2015

Home. Again…

Home, sweet, home.

O.K. So, I am now officially part of the Boomerang Generation.

Being back in my old bedroom comes with a set of decorating challenges that I did not see coming…

Home Again

For instance, the bed in my apartment was a different size than the room in my bedroom at my parents’ place.

New sheets had to happen.

I hate the dark burnt orange shag carpet.

An area rug is a must.

Downsizing from an apartment to a bedroom, seriously limits my options of where to put stuff.

Think inside the box…

A mirror for selfies, that doubles as storage.

Blogging in bed can be fun, but when you’re in it most of the day, a desk reminds you that it’s 2015 and this is your year!

Bedroom Update

Want? Target.

December 31, 2014

Happy New Year!

2014 has been pretty good to me.

I won a few contests, started blogging, got to attend a ton of fun events, quit my job…

The list goes on.

Aside from crossing off some more things off of my 30 before 30 list and making my life + blog better, I don’t really have any specific goals or resolutions.

None of that new year, new me stuff here. But I am still working on things…

A lot can happen in a year, can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store!

Have a happy New Year!

December 20, 2014

I. Can’t. Even…

During Joe Zee‘s keynote interview with Catt Sadler at Simply Stylist New York, he said something that really resonated me…

Basically, he said that if your job makes you angry, you shouldn’t be doing it. He clenched his fist when he said it. And don’t ask me why, but that was the eye opening, soul shaking push that I needed.

At times my job can make me so angry!

I. Can’t. Even.

So I quit. (And by quit, I mean, gave like a month’s notice.)

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate my job.

I’m not a huge fan of the 4AM duty calls or the constant fire alarms, because someone burnt popcorn for the thousandth time…

But, really what it all boils down to is that it doesn’t make me happy.

I want to love what I do.

Don’t you?

December 17, 2014

Birchbox Book Club: Bet the Baker

I don’t cook.

I can…

I just don’t.

Well, haven’t.

And I haven’t really ever given cooking much thought.

(Eating is an entirely different story…)

So this month’s book for the Birchbox Book Club was received with some mixed feels.

I wanted to read it and was thrilled to win it, but I wasn’t entirely sure why.

As much as I would love to be Joy Wilson, or at the very least bake like her, it’s not going to happen.

But I am willing to try. (A recipe from Homemade Decadence, not to be Joy Wilson…)

At least a few recipes…

Just call me Bet the Baker!

I promise if I bake anything that looks even the slightest bit edible, to share about it.

And if anyone wants to get me one of these fun dish towels from Whisk + Brush, that’d be cool.