Twenty Something Plus

March 10, 2016

DIY Polka Dot Clutch

Continuing my National Craft Month challenge, I decided to attempt one of my more recent pins.

After not being able to successfully track down the Who What Wear x Target zip pouch, instead of giving up all hope, I took the DIY approach.

From the second I spotted The Crafted Life’s 10 Minute DIY Polka Dot Purse, I knew I wanted to make my own polka dot clutch. Something I could use to keep my purse a little more organized or quickly grab on my way out the door for a few quick errands.

The hardest part of this craft project? Picking out the colors!

In other words, it’s super easy, really quick and, most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!

For the directions on how to make it yourself, check out Rachel of The Crafted Life’s blog. And if you’re not following her on Pinterest, you need to.

Seriously.

March 9, 2016

My March 2016 Birchbox

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

It’s been a little bit since I’ve gone with the featured box for my Birchbox sample choice selection. But, for me, the March 2016 Birchbox, Ready for Anything themed box was the obvious option.

Parlor is a brand that I have heard a lot about through Birchbox, but didn’t think I’ve get in as a sample in my Birchbox. Just another reason to have selected this month’s feature box. I’ll be attending a conference soon and really hope this blowout spray will hold up throughout the weekend.

I’ve gone a little face mask crazy lately, and even managed to get the manfriend kind of, sort of into them a little too. Surprisingly, I haven’t tried any eye pads, so these Wilma Schumann ones will not go to waste! Maybe multi masking will be my next beauty endeavor…

Something a bit more familiar, is Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. Having tried it before, I knew I liked it, but I’m happy to have some again. Plus, the container is great for travel!

Smashbox is one of the first beauty brands I ever tried and loved. A sample with not one, not two, but THREE colors is practically unheard of! I really want to order the full size version in Vignette.

Milk Makeup is a brand spanking new and I am excited to have gotten it through Birchbox. I wish the sample was a bigger (and another color), but I’m happy I get to try it out.

Curious to know if Birchbox is for you? Give it a try, sign up here!

March 8, 2016

Lune+Aster Makeup Look

Growing up, I never thought I’d be even half as makeup obsessed as I am. I wouldn’t say that makeup is my passion, exactly, but I certainly am passionate about makeup.

Trying products out in various colors is fun, and I absolutely love it when I find new makeup bag staples. When I tried Lune+Aster that I received from Blue Mercury, I found just that.

The Lune+Aster Vitamin C + E Lip Gloss in Teacher and Stratosphere Volumizing Mascara are both Vegan products that create a natural makeup look. You can literally swipe and go!

I tried layering the mascara with other mascaras and didn’t love the outcome. But alone, loved it for an understated, everyday look. As for the lipgloss, Teacher makes an excellent nude. While I adore my NYX lipgloss in Praline, Lune+Aster in Teacher is equally as amazing, minus the scent, which a lot of people don’t like.

Both will definitely be found in my purse on a regular basis. And I for sure will be trying the lipgloss in different colors. I’m thinking Editor in Chief or Rebel next…

March 7, 2016

Confetti of the Month Club

Chances are you’ve heard of The Confetti Bar, or at least seen their confetti around Instagram. It’s also likely that you got the today is National Cereal Day memo, even if it was a little too late.

I hate scrabbling around at the last possible minute to get everything together. And with so many holidays to keep track of and to prepare for, it can really get to be a bit overwhelming.

Not anymore! The Confetti Bar now has the Confetti of the Month Club and I got to give their first box a go. Included is four different confetti mixes that go with that month’s national holidays and a digital holiday calendar is sent to you via email in advance so you’ll be able to know what holidays are coming up.

This month’s confetti is for National Cereal Day, St. Patrick’s Day, National Awkward Moments Day, and Easter. Which is in March this year.

The Awkward Moments Day mix is scented, I can’t quite figure out what the actual scents are, but sunshine and rainbows smells pretty darn close!

Today is the last chance to sign up for the April box, if you’re already signed up for the ultra-exclusive email list. Find out how to get the party started here!

March 4, 2016

A Simple Eucalyptus DIY (That’s Easier Than a Wreath)

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? I plan on taking full advantage of this and using it as an excuse to do at least one of the thousands of Pinterest projects I’ve long since sworn that I was going to do, each week this month.

One easy craft project each week for a month?

That’s totally doable!

I wanted to start with something pretty, and while at Trader Joe’s picking up flowers, I spotted a bouquet of eucalyptus branches for only $2.99. After having just bought a rug at IKEA and keeping the string that it came wrapped in, I knew I had my first simple project. A minimalist eucalyptus DIY arrangement that is WAY easier than making a wreath or even a garland.

STEP 1: Open the bouquet and cut the branches (on an angle) to desired length.

STEP 2: Gather a few branches and wrap your string around them. Finish by knotting the string.

That’s it!

Simple, right?

What you decide to do with your arrangement next, is completely and totally up to you. I currently have a bundle I made displayed on a tray with faux steer skull and a candle, but I have given some thought to hanging one up in the shower or on the wall over my bed.

If this is a craft you’d consider doing, how would you show it off? Tell me in the comments!

March 3, 2016

February 2016 Loves

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

To be completely honest, I almost didn’t do this post.

I mean, it’s March now…

But, I very recently got one of my two packages from Target and couldn’t not at the very least share about the two things inside!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Facebook deals are something I found a tad sketchy. But when I saw the four for $15 deal from Zoya, I don’t know, I felt like I couldn’t pass on it. I was originally considering buying Julep polish in Alaina, because I read that it was the color Amy Schumer wore in Trainwreck and I’m weird like that. But this deal came along and I got Jana, Megan, Desiree and Scarlet. Jana was the color I was most looking forward too, because it was the closest to Alaina I could find, but Megan ended up being my favorite of the four. I’m even wearing it as I type this.

Every single item Ban.do comes out with, I want. The Barnes and Noble by me finally got some of their stuff in and I made sure to snatch up the Love Potion tumbler SO quick!

The first of the two things from Target is this serving tray. I got it because it’s the perfect prop for Instagram. I get the marble background AND a cute decorative tray to display things.

I also got a faux steer skull. I’d picked it up several times in the store and kept putting it back. I wanted it, but I didn’t really need it. I don’t know why, but I like it a lot. It can be used as another Instagram prop, a table top decoration or a wall art. Multipurpose things are the best kind of things.

Lavender is one of my favorite scents of all time! I get lavender vanilla air freshener, lavender dryer sheets and keep dried lavender in a pouch under my pillow. Lately, I’ve been lighting my DW Home candle in lavender chamomile a lot and the smell is soothingly divine. I found mine at a T.J.Maxx, I haven’t seen the same one since.

Thank goodness for the internet!

March 2, 2016

Barreless Barre at Crane & Lion

Joining the Boston Bloggers Facebook group has led to some pretty great opportunities for me. One such opportunity was getting to attend a Barreless Barre class at Crane & Lion.

Hosted by Jenna of Boston Chic Party and Jessica Diaz, the class itself really worked your core. I didn’t realize just how much until the next day. My abs were sore, but in a good way.

I’ve taken a Barre class before, but didn’t think you could get such a great workout without even using a barre!

After class there was wine, noms and a Crane & Lion sample sale. Everything was up to 60% off!

I spotted the cutest ever jacket, and I just may have to go back for it. Sale or no sale.

I ended up not actually buying anything, which was sad because their clothes are athleisure, but casual in a way that I could see myself wearing them even on days where the gym is the furthest thing from my mind.

Thankfully, Crane & Lion sent us home with one of their tanks. I’ve already worn mine once, and it was to workout in! Can you believe it?

March 1, 2016

2 Ways to Wear Something: Halftee Top

Crop tops aren’t something that I typically wear.

Not because I don’t like them, just because…

And I also don’t own many. Or really any. And when I received this Halftee top, all I could think of is what I could wear it under. Or even over. I mean, it’s perfect for layering.

And reversible.

Then, I thought why not just wear it.

Layer it, but in a way that’s maybe not so modest.

I read somewhere that culottes were no longer in.

And to that, I say, suck it.

I like them. I’m going to wear them.

This pair I found online at Old Navy, for less than $10!

Alternatively, I’ve started to come to terms with the fact that I wear a lot of black.

I don’t even care.

Again, I like it.

Not that I have a favorite look of the two, but if I did, this jumpsuit is killin’ it!

I mean, I don’t wear it a lot, for reasons I don’t even know.

But I think it looks fantastic with the Halftee top, and will probably get worn more often with it than ever before.

Tell me how you would style this long-sleeved Halftee.

February 29, 2016

Birchbox Lip Sync Kit

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Apparently, in addition to Black History Month, February is also (unofficially) lipstick month.

Or something like that…

I almost missed the memo, but Birchbox didn’t and even had a lip product themed add-on option.

I don’t do add-ons very often, but decided to for my February Birchbox and it was such a good life choice!

The Lip Sync Kit included four lip colors (two of which are full size), a lip pencil and a lip scrub. $68 worth of products for only $30.

Laura Geller New York Lip Strip Smoothing Sugar Scrub | $16

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Liquid Lipstick in Strumpet | $16

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso | $24

ModelCo Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner | $20

POP Beauty Matte Velvet Lipstix Trio in Satin Rose | $24

IPKN Twinkle Lips in Glow Pink | $18

From left to right: ModelCo, OCC, POP Beauty, Stila, IPKN

After attempting to do a 5 Day Lipstick Challenge that didn’t go as smoothly as I’d planned. I’m going to try again with One Woman Style’s 30 Day Lipstick Challenge, starting tomorrow.

I highly doubt that I’ll do all 30 days, but I don’t really intend to. My goal is to challenge myself to wear lipstick a little more often, instead of just hoarding lip colors. Including the ones in the Lip Sync Kit.

February 26, 2016

The HydraFluid Foundation I’ve Been Using Non-Stop

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Back in June, I found the first foundation that I absolutely loved. And since then, I haven’t been able to find one that I liked nearly as much.

That is until Pür sent me their HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation to try.

It is amazing and I can’t stop using it!

I swatched all five shades, but clearly some of them are far too light for me. I gifted the lightest two (light and medium), but kept the darker three (tan, dark and deep). Deep was basically a perfect match, just a little off. I fixed that by adding a couple drops of the dark.

This combo had worked wonders for me and I can’t imagine not having it at least as an option. So much so, that I snagged them from fellow beauty blogger, The Feminine Files.

Thanks to Kristina, I was also able to try the Pür Cameo Contour Sticks in both dark and deep, which I had really been wanting to. I don’t always contour, but when I do I like it to be super easy!

Which foundation can you not live without?