Twenty Something Plus

May 11, 2016

My April 2016 Birchbox

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

It seems like whenever I tell myself that I’m not going to select the featured box the next month, I end up doing the opposite. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s that I was that unimpressed with the sample choices. Either way, I went with the April 2016 Birchbox featured box.

I don’t want to pretend that I loved or even wanted everything in my box this month. However, I was very pleased with the Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten. I can use it as blush with a highlighter or as a highlighter with a blush, or alone.

TOCCA Hand Cream is one of my favorites and it is my goal to eventually try them all, I really like the scent I got, it’s fruity and floral, which to me is perfection!

Surprisingly, I liked the Marcelle Micellar Solution, but not nearly as much as I’d expected to. Especially since it costs as much as it does, but the drugstore versions work just as well.

Liftra Contour Cream kind of confuses me. Since I don’t 100% get how it works or what exactly it’s supposed to do, I have yet to touch it.

As for the PALOR, I raved about the blowout spray, but the volumizing spray isn’t a product I cared all that much for. Not because it doesn’t work, but volume isn’t really something my hair lacks.

Which product would make this box worth it for you? If you’re interested in signing up for Birchbox, you can use my refer a friend link here!

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May 10, 2016

Lookout Rooftop & Bar at The Envoy Hotel

In case you missed my announcement on Instagram, Lookout Rooftop and Bar at Lookout Rooftop & Bar at The Envoy Hotel is now officially open for the season!

Myself, and some other local bloggers were invited to check it out a little early. The view is breathtaking and the drinks delicious! If you’re close enough and looking for something to do the weekend, there’s really no better way to kick off the season, than with sips at Boston’s #1 rooftop hotspot.

You don’t have to wait for the weekend to enjoy the view, South Hollow Spirit’s new gin launch party is happening there tonight! Tickets are available for tonight’s event here.

May 6, 2016

What’s in My Mother’s Makeup Bag

There is so much that I’ve learned from my mother. I am thankful for her and the lessons she taught me. I probably should have listened when she told me not to touch my eyebrows.

When it comes to makeup, she taught me that less is plenty. And although I hoard makeup, like she does kitchenware, I know to make sure to have my few essentials on hand at all times. We probably define essentials differently, but I’m way more into makeup than she is.

My mother’s makeup bag is a minimalist’s dream. Even though she almost always takes forever to get ready, she does her makeup last and can do that in less than five!

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May 5, 2016

April 2016 Loves

Disclaimer: The numbers in this blog post are affiliate links.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Trust Fund Beauty is a brand that I follow because they just seem to get me. No, I am not rich. But that rich girl mentality? I’m all about that vibe. And their color names! I recently won one of their Instagram giveaways, and received Hollywood Hipster. I love it for spring and plan to wear in well into summer.

I usually don’t get all that excited about getting fragrance samples. But every once in a while there’ll be one that I want to practically bathe in. Tender Romance is one of those scents. I truly didn’t expect to love it even a tiny bit as much as I do!

It’s not secret that I love dramatic lashes. There are some mascaras that make my lashes feel super heavy and covered in goop to achieve that bold lash look. PÜR’s Fully Charged Magnetic Mascara uses magnetic technology to give you that maximum volume look without weighing them down. It’s been my go to mascara most of the month.

Speaking of PÜR, I love their Hydrafluid Water Serum Foundation, but lately have been finding myself using the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup. Yes it’s a mouthful, but it’s nice to have the perfect shade for my complexion without having to mix and match. Plus, it really is super lightweight. It’s going to be great to have when the weather starts to heat up.

Contouring can be difficult. Mostly because it’s really hard to find a contouring kit with a shade that is anything close to two shades darker than my skin tone. While at Ulta Beauty, I came across their kit and it’s the best one I’ve found. Plus, it’s only $18!

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May 4, 2016

Slate & Willow Showstopper

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Dress: Rent the Runway | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Clutch: Old Navy (similar)

On Instagram, I shared a sneak peek of the dress I rented from Rent the Runway for my eighth anniversary with the manfriend. It was not the same dress that I wore to our anniversary dinner at Ballo Italian Restaurant, which may have caused a tiny bit of confusion.

I rented three dresses as a part of my Rent the Runway Unlimited monthly subscription.

The Slate & Willow Carlene Dress was what I wore after dinner. We stayed at Mohegan Sun and gambled the night away.

I say that very loosely.

While we did gamble a little, we mostly walked around, did a some window shopping and grabbed ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s. And we talked.

A lot.

We talked about how far we’ve come in our eight years together. About mistakes we’d made and the future we see for ourselves. It was the perfect way for us to celebrate our anniversary.

As we walked and talked, we also broke a lot of necks! I mean it’s kind of hard not to draw attention in a sequined statement piece like this Slate & Willow one. Especially with the low cut back.

Want to give Rent the Runway a try? Sign up here using my personal invite link!

May 3, 2016

Anniversary Dinner at Ballo Italian Restaurant

When invited to dine at Ballo Italian Restaurant, the timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. The manfriend and my anniversary was coming up, so we figured why not make it an early dinner and spend the night at Mohegan Sun.

One of our favorite things to do together is to eat. And Ballo saw to it that we did!

I wanted to try a spring dish so I ordered the Scallops and Shrimp, while the manfriend went a little more classic with the Chicken Parmigiana.

Literally everything from the bread to dessert was an exquisitely delicious treat. I won’t pretend to be a food critic, but as far as Italian food goes, I really liked everything. Especially their special Sunday pasta sauce and the hazelnut gelato toped with expresso! The manfriend even said it was one of his best dining out experiences. He’s a pretty picky eater, so that is really saying something! We wouldn’t have spent our eighth anniversary anywhere else.

The atmosphere and ambience is perfect for an intimate date night, although not necessarily the best for showing off one’s amateur photography skills…

If you go, I recommend visiting on a Sunday and asking about their special Sunday pasta sauce!

Thank you so much to Ballo Italian Restaurant for the invitation for us to sample your amazing dishes! All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.

April 26, 2016

Running with The Racktrap

Feeling inspired by everyone that ran in the Boston Marathon, I’ve decided to take my own training a little more seriously.

Not for anything specific, I don’t foresee even a 10K in my future. Maybe a 5K, I’ve done a few fun ones before, but even that isn’t really my speed. Although, a friend reminded me that there is an annual 5K that’s coming up pretty soon in my hometown. There’s still plenty of time for me to get into shape before race day, so it is an option worth taking into consideration. I don’t know, though. I really just want to continue my quest to be a little more healthy than I have been lately.

Can’t lie, having cute workout clothes has been helpful for motivating me to get up and run, and having The Racktrap to hold my cash, debit card and license in is also a huge help. You can’t always trust your pockets to hold everything in place, but The Racktrap does. I really like the sweatproof one, because I am usually a sweaty mess after any about of physical exertion.

It’s great for keeping all your small essentials with you, right in your bra. After a run, I can very easily go to Target to pick up a Starbucks smoothie.

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April 25, 2016

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Even Better Clinical

Facial discoloration is something that I’ve gotten really good at hiding. I have tried products that seemed to work, only to still have darks spot after using them.

At a photo shoot, while I was getting my makeup done the makeup artist asked if I had any issues with my face. I shared about my acne scars, which she assured me weren’t nearly as big a concern as I was feeling they were. But she said that if I was looking for a treatment, I should give Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector a try.

You have to apply the serum twice a day to see results. It’s prescription strength and after 12 weeks you should see up to 58% improvement.

This stuff is not cheap. I got the smallest size (4 week supply) and it set me back about $50. I didn’t want to invest in a 12 week supply ($144.50) if I didn’t notice a difference after four weeks, which the product assures you should start to notice improvement around them.

I only just starting using it and will be sharing about my experience over time. So, make sure to check back in for my first update!

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April 22, 2016

New Naturals

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Birchbox Limited Edition Box New Naturals

I have been saying for a while now, that I want to start using more products that are good for me. Aside from Beautycounter, I didn’t know of a lot of brands or products. After looking into it, I wasn’t sure where to start.

And then, just like in answer to my beauty prayers, Birchbox announced their Limited Edition New Naturals box!

I ordered it along with the Limited Edition Beauty in Bloom box. I honestly couldn’t tell you which one I’m loving more!

After trying most of the products in the box, I’m already planning to get my hands on more products from Au Naturale, rms beauty and W3LL PEOPLE.

Definitely worth the $59 for $215 worth of products!

April 21, 2016

Vodka Drinks

I’m almost always up for a fun time spent with good friends. Especially when there are drinks involved!

We’ve (Jessica of The Confetti Bar, Alonda of @abstyled, and yours truly) partnered with First Avenue Vodka, to make three different vodka drinks, using their debut sugar-free vodka collection. Original flavored vodka for a classic mojito, Elderflower flavored vodka for a spiked lavender lemonade, and Whipped flavored vodka for a fun creamsicle inspired treat!

Thanks to Small Kitchen Big Taste we were able to use fresh fruits and veggies, everything from kumquats (which we had never tried before), to cucumbers.

To see the official Pink Couch Lounge photos that were styled by @abstyled and snapped by The Confetti Bar, along with the drink recipes, head over to The Confetti Bar’s blog.