2014 Winter Essentials Tag

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

I was looking to do something different today. I just wasn’t feeling the Sample Wednesday series. I was in the mood of doing a Christmas-y post and the lovely Cos from The World of Cos tagged me for the Winter Essentials Tag. So, thank you again for tagging me for this wonderland tag. wink I’ve been looking forward to reading her Facial Friday posts week after week. She tries something new every week, so if you are into facial masks, you should definitely check out her blog.

1. What is your ultimate party season lip product?

Hmmm…This is a hard one to start out with, but I think that I am into the berry lip for the winter time. I just think that your classic red is too predictable or safe for the Christmas season. I think a nice berry shade shakes things up and is very on trend at the same time. On the other hand, I am also really loving the nude lip trend and if I have to be honest with myself, I’m probably going to be doing the nude lip more often than the berry.

2. What is your winter Essential Product? 

My winter essential product would have to be my Lush Mint Julips Sugar Lip Scrub. The combination of winter air and indoor heating brings dryness to my delicate pucker. I like to exfoliate my lips every morning with this minty scrub. The tingly cool peppermint is very refreshing on my lips and it allows a smoother application of lipstick or lip stain. The worst is having blotchy lip color from dry, flaky lips.

3. What are you most hoping to see under the Christmas Tree?

I am not picky when it comes to Christmas presents. What I am looking for under the tree are some new books, perfume, and games. The guys in my life are not very beauty educated, so I doubt there will be any beauty products. I am hoping for more computer games and books though. There are so many things that I like and I love being surprised when I finally unwrap those presents underneath the Christmas tree.

4. Name one beauty essential that is never missing from your bag during colder months?

One beauty essential that is never missing from my bag would be hand lotion. I am really into the Figs & Rouge brand at the moment. The mango hand lotion that I have smells absolutely amazing and keeps my hands perfectly moisturized during the dry hand season. I don’t know why, but this season is being especially hard on my hands. I swear they never used to be this dry before, but this hand cream is doing wonders.

5. What are your winter weather skincare saviors?

I have a few winter weather skincare saviors that are really that amazing. For facial hydration, it would have to my Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel, which is a holy grail of mine. I love my NYX  Butter Gloss to keep my lips perfectly happy, but it also smells like Sugar Cookies! Finally, all the new sheet masks that I have bought are guaranteed to kick up my skin’s moisture barrier. I even use the excess serum on my neck and hands.

6. What is winter going to smell like this year?

Online Pic

It will be smelling of Peppermint Mocha by Coffeemate. I love this stuff. Add a little whipped cream and a candy cane and I will call it a powerhouse coffee. I love the Holidays with its themed drinks!

7. Is the Berry eye the new Berry lip?

Internet Pic

Online Pic

No, not even close. A berry eye looks overdone, but a berry lip can look effortless.

8. What are you greatest winter indulgences?

If it is not obvious by now, my favorite winter treat is peppermint bark and candy canes. I cannot get enough. I eat York peppermints the rest off the year, but nothing can beat homemade peppermint bark. I need to make it all year round. Don’t they look yummy?

9. Lush Christmas? Your top pick?

It would have to be Snow Fairy all the way! I just love the sweet shop smell! AH! I cannot get enough. It smells delicious and if they made food that tastes the way it smells, I would buy it for sure. I actually recently bought this and have yet to take a picture. Is it just me or is this scent to die for? I guess that is why they bring it back year after year.

10. Name one (or more) random winter essential.

I have to agree with Cos on this one, sheet masks are my essentials.

Well, that is it for me! I would like to tag Dani and anyone else who would like to do this tag. If you are reading this and have not done this tag yet, why the HELL NOT?! lol.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

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Amazon Haul: Everything But The Fire

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

It is the weekend and you know what that means! Yes, I actually have time to write really nice blog posts with all of my free time. I decided to share an Amazon haul with you all today. I still have another Amazon haul in the works and the Lush one as well. I didn’t end up going out to shop today, because I woke up with severe hip pain. I’m hoping it will be much improved by tomorrow, because I am planning on buying a Christmas Tree, looking at new used cars, going to the Christmas Tree Shops, the Dollar Tree, Kmart, and Petsmart. I have a few Christmas DIYs in my mind as well and I’m sort of still thinking on how best to execute them. Hopefully, I can get back on track tomorrow. Anyways, here are the goods that you have been waiting this entire post to read about.

Replacement Brush Head Acne Cleansing 3 Pack for 6.02 USD

These are knockoff replacement Clarisonic brush heads that feel like the real thing. I think these are a tad softer than the legit Clarisonic heads and of course, these are not antimicrobial. Still, I feel like I can get a month’s use out of one brush head, which still makes it a better value over the Clarisonic version. I wouldn’t feel safe for using the heads for longer than a month, because I do not want to harbor bacteria. I might try a different kind in three months, when these are all used up. I’m thinking about trying out the deep pore cleansing brushes next. I am really happy to be back to using my Clarisonic again. I missed it so! It really does give my face a better clean that you can really feel.

Essence Mask Combo – 10 Different Kinds for 9.95 USD

I tried the seaweed one today and I have to say that I quite enjoyed it. I actually know have twenty of these with that whole mishap with my package. I cannot wait to try all of these out and you can bet that I will be doing Sample Wednesday of each different kind of mask. I will then do a review of the Brand of Masks as a whole. I’m going to be very thorough with this, since this venture into paper masks is very new to me. Does any of these look good to anyone? Which one do you want me to try next? Thanks in advance. I have to say that it wasn’t what I was expecting, but in a really good way.

The Long Road Home (Book 3 of A Place Called Home Series) by Lori Wick for 3.37 USD

I read the first book and enjoyed it (a book review to come!). The book that I got on paperbackswap was a two-books-in-one type, so I am already reading the second book in the series. I want to own the whole series, because I really enjoy the books by this author. I am pretty sure that I will like this book, but if not, it was only a few dollars and really no big deal. Lori Wick is to me like Meg Cabot is to Danielle: aka a really big deal. Although, I do enjoy Meg Cabot as well. I really wish that I could read all of the great books in the world. I know that I will never really read all the books I have ever wanted to read, but hey, I’m gonna try.

The Sims 3 Expansion Bundle With World Adventures & Generations for 17.11 USD

This was a really great two for one deal. I am saving this for a Christmas present to myself, so I refuse to open it. I have since wrapped this up, so I do not have to be tempted. I am super excited that I will be getting to play World Adventures. I have heard so many great things about it and I just cannot wait to play it. Generations looks like it will add a lot of great features to the game. The features that I am most excited for are the chemistry experiments and the bachelorette parties. I should make a little Sim movie and upload it. I think that that would be very fun and different. There are really just two computer games that I play: The Sims and Nancy Drew. Those are my nerd obsessions.

The Sims 3 Island Paradise for 19.99 USD

I bought this at Walmart, because I thought that it looked really cool and like I said, I am sort of obsessed. I was upset to find out that Walmart does not price match to their online price. I think that that is ridiculous and stupid, even Kmart price matches in the store. Whatever. I am never buying games at Walmart ever again. I am so disappointed with the store. I haven’t played this game either, because I am saving it for Christmas. I have two four day weekends coming up. One for Christmas and one for New Years, back to back, so I will definitely be getting a lot of game play soon enough.

So, that is my amazon haul, except for the one item that I bought at Walmart. I hope you all enjoyed this haul and this sneak peek into my life. Every day is getting us closer…to CHRISTMAS!! Talk to you guys soon!

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

Belated Monday, So Update Tuesday

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

Here is an update on what’s been going on in my blog. So, I am officially two days behind on 25 Days of Christmas Blogging. I will be making these posts up this weekend. Do not fear! lol. Anyways, I have three different hauls coming up this weekend. My car was also fixed, so Christmas is back on at my place. I will be shopping this weekend, so I will be having more posts this upcoming week. There will be Christmas shopping hauls, Christmas Tree Shopping, tree decorating, apartment decorating, how to wrap presents, and so much more. I have a lot of posts planned that is going to be more personal than just making gift guides and Christmas Lists.

In the New Year, I am planning on buying more furniture pieces, so that my apartment is more homely. When you see my apartment pictures, keep in mind that the simplistic way that I live will not be permanent. I fully plan on getting more furniture when I can afford it. When I finish up decorating rooms, I will take you on a tour. I might even be doing some Youtube videos. What do you all think? I, of course, will be off the camera. What do you think about unboxing videos? Do you have any suggestions? Also, what would you guys want to see next post wise? It doesn’t have to be holiday related. How do you feel about New Year resolutions? I really appreciate the feedback and hope that at least one person, not including Dani, comments back, because it will really help this blog to be so much better.

I want to improve my blogging format and start a blogging schedule when not doing a blogging event (My current blogging events are Julamorous, Octoberfest, and 25 Days of Christmas). I think that I may blog on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday for sure every week and anything else would just be extra. I need time in my life to do other things, but I love blogging so much that it might be a struggle not to blog sometimes. On the days, that I don’t plan out a blog post, would you like to see my day in pictures? I think that might be fun and I wouldn’t have to think about what to say. Anyways, this is getting long, so I’ll say goodbye here.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

November Favorities

Heya Aspring Gurus!

I have a few unfavorites, before I start my favorites post. My first unfavorite is that my stupid Kindle Fire decided to die when it did. I had to go through half on my savings, only to freaking discover that a few days later, that my stupid car would get air stuck in the radiator. My dad cannot get the bubbles out, so it’ll have to go to a friend’s shop and possible cost HUNDREDS of dollars. There goes my Christmas, really. I’m still buying gifts, but small ones. No decorations or Christmas tree. Maybe, I’ll buy some decorations on clearance for next year. It’s really been a crappy month, except Thanksgiving was amazing! I loved spending that time at home relaxing and not having to worry. Now, I have to worry about how I’m gonna get to work. Public Transportation? I’m still gonna have to walk over a mile with busy traffic (no sidewalk) to get to work to pay for those repairs. So messed up and it just keeps coming.I hope you guys have a better month, because it looks like a crappy December.

At least, I have a new Kindle Fire and Lush goodies to keep me warm at night.

And look, I’m not saying that I’m ungrateful for the life that I have, because I am. My life this past year, has just been a bit messed up with not being able to finish college or ever having the chance to go back part time never mind full-time, having to get a job to pay to move out on my own way, for having lived so many years in an abusive mother-daughter relationship, and now, my frigging car is basically useless until I pay to get it fixed. I just wish for some miracle from God to make it just a little bit better. And you know what? He did, because He gave me a full-time job that I love doing and that pays well. I just need another miracle of it not being so much money to fix the car.

Now, that I am done with this tirade, I don’t really have any favorites this month. I had a holiday favorite and I love my new Fire (post to come soon). I just received my Lush goodies, so there will also be that. I’m still excited for Christmas, because it is my favorite time of year. I really want it to snow on Christmas Eve, though. Oh, and did you know that Jesus was really born in July? So, He must have loved winter, if He wanted everyone to think that He was a Winter baby instead of a Summer one.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo

My Christmas Wish List

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

It’s finally the 25 Days of Christmas blogging event! Most of my posts will be Christmas themed during this time, but there will still be Sample Wednesday and Quick Tip Thursday. I will blog everyday up to and including Christmas. So, get ready to get many posts from me! This year, I have a top 5 wish list of items that I want on Christmas morning. My dad and boyfriend needed some tips on what to get me this year and I thought that I would also share this list with all of you. The items on this list are not very expensive. I had to buy an expensive item for myself and I made a Lush Christmas order as well. I don’t really care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree, but these are the cute little items that I am looking for this year that are easy to pickup for guys.

1. Freemen Face Masks:

I do not care which kind, but I really want to try these masks! I think that they come in ten different varieties. These are really cheap too at 3 or 4 USD. The guys in my life know how I feel about skin care and I don’t need everything to be fancy in order to be happy.

2. Cooking Supplies: Preferably Baking:

I am really getting into baking recently. I love baking desserts and sweets. I need more decorating supplies to design them and other baking artsy sorts of things. I could even use pattern cookie sheets and cutouts. I would even take cookie mixes and cake mixes as well. I’m not picking when it comes to these sorts of things and I cannot wait to see which ones that I get! I am really hoping for some sprinkles and decorating pens.

3. Sims 3 Expansion Packs:

I love the Sims 3! I guess, in this way I am a total nerd. I am really hoping for one of the following expansion packs: University, Seasons, Pets, Katy Perry, and Showtimes. Each game is 20 USD or less on Amazon or at Walmart. Although the Katy Perry can be quite pricey still depending on the seller. I have only seen it as low as 30 USD. Is anyone else a Sims 3 nerd? I just gave my base game to Dani to see if it will load onto her MAC computer. Let’s see if you will be asking to borrow my expansion packs soon!

4. Books:

I really don’t care on what book that I get for Christmas as long as I get some books. Do you want to see a top 5 or 10 books that I am really wanting at the moment? Comment with the request if you are interested, otherwise I’ll not do it. I don’t want to bore you guys with posts that you do not want to see. I am an avid book lover and I am always trying to build my perfect bookshelf with only the books I truly love on it (and of course, I keep all the books that were gifts. I cherish my memories.).

5. Perfume

I don’t really have a preference for what type of perfume that I want. It’s the thought that counts, right? But, I can list ones that I do want. I want the two older Taylor Swift perfumes, any Vera Wang perfume, and DKNY Green Apple perfume. I would love to get the DKNY one, because I have been wanting it forever. It is the DKNY Green Delicious perfume. I cannot lie. I’m hoping to get that one, even if it doesn’t come in the cool apple shaped bottle.

Well, those are the things that I am wanting this Christmas! What are you wishing for? I’m noisy and I would love to know. Did you write a blog post about it? Then, link to it in the comments below! This will make it easy for me to find.

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo