Top 15 of January 2015

As we wave goodbye to our first month of the New Year, I thought what better time to begin a series of top 15’s of every other month. I don’t exactly know what to include in this, so I am spanning across every category possible from beauty to food in the hopes that something will strike a fancy of any walk of reader.

(points if you get the featured image)

---

BEAUTY

1. My favorite lip product: Clinique “Almost Lipstick” in Black Honey-$16

I got this as a sample from Sephora and have been in love with it. It is probably one of my favorite lip products of all time. It looks very dark, almost plum in the tube but goes on the lips as a sheer dark pink. It feels like a luxurious chapstick and is really moisturizing. This is like the perfect everyday go-with-anything color. It wears off easily, so consider it more like a tinted balm than a lipstick. My sample is running out and I love it so much that I will gladly shell out the money to buy a real version. I don’t say that often.

http://www.clinique.com/product/1603/4772/Makeup/Lip-Glosses/Almost-Lipstick

2. Favorite lotions: Bliss Buttah-Bling! Set (Includes Grapefruit, Lemon, and Blood Orange) -$39

I know the price looks crazy but hear me out before you get shocked. I sampled Bliss’ grapefruit and aloe lotion at Sephora and almost shed a tear because it smelled like rainbows and sunshine…and was $30. I sadly accepted the fact that I would never spend $30 on lotion and left the store. However, I was on the Sephora website after the holidays and saw they were selling a gift set of THREE FULL SIZED Bliss body lotions including the heaven-scent (ba dum tss) grapefruit one for $40 and was originally $90. I bought the set with no regrets and now have three incredibly moisturizing body lotions that actually make me smell as if I have been plucked from a citrus grove. They’re still on sale but may not be much longer so get them while you can!

http://www.sephora.com/buttah-bling-P389057?skuId=1634732&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=jAjtpeH3&pcrid=56697993639&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en&gclid=CjwKEAiArqKmBRCOj_qfmuqinnYSJAAkAYwG1eRhhM4nw0SzAqKzEh_rh9DMjQUeo9fgdlEPr31b5hoCZJTw_wcB

3. Favorite Skin Product- St. Ive’s Blemish Control Apricot Scrub-Drugstores $4

I know most people know the glories of this incredible product, but if you don’t this is for you. St. Ive’s scrubs smell like fresh fruit and make your face feel like a baby’s bum. This one is great for blemishes and the scrubbers really make your face feel clean. There are many other kinds of scrubs, and if you want a skin brightening one, I also highly suggest the Even and Bright Pink Lemon and Mandarin Scrub (can you tell I like citrus?). I will try many cleansers but the apricot one will always be what I resort to.

4. Favorite Deodorant-Old Spice “Lionpride” (the one with the blue gel stick not the powder) Drugstores $4  

Yes, I use men’s deodorant. Why you ask? I think it works better, and it smells amaaazing. I used to be self-conscious when I first wore it thinking that people may wonder why I smelled “like a dude.” I maybe got 2 comments from people on my scent, both being girls who thought I smelled good. I asked my then-boyfriend if he thought I smelled like a guy and he said he didn’t notice until I got really close and it apparently smelled “less manly” on me. Interesting. I always get the kind in the blue gel stick (not the like liquid kind) because the powder always leaves stains on my shirts. I love this product and will probably not go back to female deodorant ever.

5. Favorite Makeup Removing Wipes- Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Wipes-Drugstores $7

I have toyed with so many makeup removers over the past few years. These are by far my favorite. I even tried the generic brand my local grocery store sells and they don’t even come close. My roommate wears a lot of makeup and she swears by these too. Whether you have a full face or the bare minimum, these will do the trick. They do leave residue, so definitely wash your face after using them.

FASHION

6. Favorite Jeans-American Eagle Jeggings-Price varies

I struggle with jeans because my legs are short and I really prefer a more elastic jeans. Cue the jegging boom a few years ago and after trying to find what suited me the best, I finally found the perfect pair of jeans in American Eagle. I wear from a size 2-4, and American Eagle’s 2Short jeggings fit me like a glove. I used to wear Hollister jeggings in a size 3, and after I went to college they stopped fitting me. I felt defeated by the notorious freshman weight gain and decided to look at American Eagle for new jeans. To my surprise and confusion, the AE size 2 jeans fit me better than the Hollister size 3 jeans. Interesting (ya hear that, Mike Jeffries?). I digress. These jeggings come in tons of styles and colors and I have two pairs of the black high waisted ones just because I love them and wear them so much. AE always has promotions or sales so I don’t even think I’ve ever paid full price for these (Right now BOGO half off all Jeans!).

L-R

1. Jegging-Clean Rinse-$40

2. Hi-Rise Jegging-Clean Rinse-$44.95

3. (New Pair) Hi-Rise Jegging-Black-$44.95

4. Same as 3 but older and more faded (Clearly my favorite jean ever)

7. Favorite Off-Season Clothing Item-Victoria’s Secret Bathing Suit Tops-Price Varies

Here’s something I may not always make obvious. I am a very busty girl. I wear a 34D and bathing suit shopping used to be the most upsetting venture I would make until I discovered the fantastic way VS sells their bathing suits. Many of the suits are sold XS-XL, but a lot of them are sold by cup size which is probably the most helpful idea ever created. As someone with a bigger chest, I prefer bathing suits with underwire which VS has in the cutest styles from AA’s to DDD’s. It makes bathing suit shopping so much easier because the fit is rarely a guessing game. I typically buy my tops from VS off-season when they are super super discounted. VS has AMAZING discounts but you can really only get these deals online.  And sometimes I do buy full price because anyone who has trouble shopping for a certain body area knows that buying something good quality and well fitting can be worth the splurge. I sometimes buy matching bottoms from VS but mostly I buy my bottoms at Target or Forever 21 because they’re less of an ordeal to shop for and cheaper.

Top-Bottom

1. (Unavailable) Similar: The Very Sexy Hottie Halter in Rich Grape-$54-70

2. Beach Sexy The Fabulous Top (Color No Longer Available)-$44-52

3.The Flirt Bandeau (Color No Longer Available)-$28-40

4. Beach Sexy The Getaway Halter-$36-48

5. Same as #2

8. Favorite Shoe-Tan Booties-Chinese Laundry-$79.99

I can’t find the color I have anywhere, but I found them in black and I hope that is sufficient. I LOVE these shoes. They’re so edgy yet sleek and are such a staple for any outfit. They have a pretty high heel for day booties, so I wouldn’t recommend going on a march in these boots, but I can wear them for a whole day at school and I’m fine. Wear these with a pair of jeans cuffed at the ankle and you are unstoppable.

http://www.chineselaundry.com/elise/brash-4164?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=4280&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3938323833&gclid=CjwKEAiArqKmBRCOj_qfmuqinnYSJAAkAYwG6Xrw5b4dw47ZugHQxYvE-49DB0ksJRzToifmO6FAPhoCxqXw_wcB

9. Favorite Non-Sweatpant Lazy Day Pants-Various

Don’t get me wrong, I love sweatpants. They are fantastic to wear around the house or to class when I’m feeling lazy. However, I like to keep style in all of my pursuits and I’ve found that Harem pants are a great alternative to sweatpants. I found a pair at Dillards, but cannot find them online for the life of me so here are some similar pants.

http://wanelo.com/p/12020437/bandana-pattern-harem-pants-blue $23

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=bottom&productid=2000055862 $14

The great thing about these pants is that you can style them up and make them super cute for a day that doesn’t include sitting around and watching Netflix. Also, if the crotch is low enough, they’re a great alternative to tight leggings for a yoga class.

10. Favorite Place to Shop Online-Nectar Clothing

I stumbled upon this site a few years ago but re-discovered it this month. Their website is gorgeous and extremely well-done. They have super cute and trendy bohemian clothes and I find myself wanting everything. Their stuff can be a little more expensive, but I signed up for their email list and got promotions and I heavily shop in the sale section!

http://www.nectarclothing.com/

MISCELLANEOUS

11. Favorite Website-Society6-http://society6.com/

Society 6 is a website where people can submit their artwork and have it printed on anything from t-shirts to clocks. There are tons of unique designs for anything you can think of. It’s SINGLE-HANDEDLY THE BEST gift website ever. Let’s say my friend likes dinosaurs. I search “dinosaur” and as you can see I have 17 pages of 96 different dinosaur designs (Thats 1,632 dinosaurs if you were wondering). Then I can just get an image printed, or I can put it on a t-shirt or laptop case or anything imaginable.

(Duvet covers? Shower Curtains? Mugs? GUYS SERIOUSLY.)

Society 6 is also extremely affordable for what you’re buying and it’s an excellent way to support artists. I searched “Austin, Texas” and got this amazing and protective phone case. I’m never buying phone cases elsewhere.

12. Favorite Food Item-Udi’s Frozen Chicken Penne Alfredo 

Fun Fact: I have Celiac Disease which means I cannot eat gluten. I basically survive off of Udi’s brand which makes gluten free foods. I recently was in Walmart of all places and found a LIFE-CHANGING product. Udi’s makes skillet meals now and while I only could find the Alfredo one, according to their website they have tons of other ones. Currently drooling. It made two servings and I devoured some and ate the leftovers the next day. Two meals? Success. Udi’s is expensive but if you’re a CIC (celiac in college) like me with a community kitchen in their dorm, this is kind of the best option. My family has also adjusted to the fact that my food is more expensive so we learned how to make it work. If you can eat gluten, a) rejoice,and b) there are other brands like Bertollis that make similar products. Sign up for Udi’s emails on their website if you want and get a $1off coupon!

http://udisglutenfree.com/product-category/frozen-meals/ LOOK AT ALL THE MEALS Y’ALL

13. Favorite Water Bottle-MIRA Insulated Double Wall Vacuum Stainless Steel Water Bottle-$20

I am not a good water-drinker. I need to force myself to drink it and I really won’t unless it’s cold. I was reading a magazine and saw an ad for these awesome water bottles called S’Well that keep your water cold or hot for 24 hours and I was like I NEED THIS. So I go on the S’Well website and to buy a 25oz water bottle they wanted 45 of my dollars. No thank you. Being the savvy shopper I am, I went on Amazon and found a cheaper alternative with great reviews for $20. Great success.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MI1D84O?psc=1

I got it and decided to test its capabilities. I put room-temperature water in it and then put it in the freezer overnight. The outside of the bottle was freezing when I took it out, but the water inside was still room-temperature. Another time, I accidentally left it in the oven that is my car during the Texas summer when I was at a water park. The outside was pretty hot, and the inside still ice-cold when I got it from my car 6 hours later. Wizardry, you guys. The one drawback is that the water bottle is ridiculously loud when dropped. I dropped it during class the other day and it crashed like a cymbal and naturally the professor stopped the lecture and had to ask “What was that?” as I hid my head in shame. Still worth it.

14. Favorite Conformism-Spotify Premium-$5/month

I am not a good music buyer. I don’t have a credit card linked to my iTunes account, so I can only buy things from the iTunes store if I have a gift card. So what do I do? Well if I can, I go out and buy the physical album. If I can’t…

…I use a website that converts YouTube videos to mp3 files. I am a terrible person. However I stopped doing that about a year ago when I got the free version of Spotify on my computer and phone. Minus the ads the computer version was awesome, but the phone version wasn’t. If you don’t know, Spotify mobile won’t let you play individual songs, you have to shuffle a playlist or artist. You have 6 skips per hour similar to Pandora and many ads. I was getting really tired of this, but didn’t want to pay $10 a month for premium which lets you have total control and no ads. My sister then told me Spotify has a student discount for $5 a month. I was sold and I have no regrets. No more illegal activity! And the artist actually gets credit for the music I listen to…well not as much as they should by Spotify but that’s for another time.

https://www.spotify.com/us/student/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=growth_paid&utm_campaign=BrandStudent_US_Exact&gclid=Cj0KEQiAuremBRCbtr-1qJnKi-4BEiQAh0x08JySNJ5M2Wyehbu_5iu96uS4ri6E0yZq1Fl1hUmfjrIaAvq88P8HAQ&dclid=CMLpg_LowcMCFZMJDAod9V0Akg

15. Favorite Album-Hozier

Irish singer/songwriter Hozier’s self-titled debut is incredible. His voice is like no one else’s and his lyrics are beautiful. This album is incredibly diverse, which is one of my favorite things about it. Each song is a different tempo and style and resonates with you a different way. The song Jackie and Wilson is blues meets rock and is fun to jam to. Then you have upbeat Someone New, which is some form of a love song that leaves you optimistic and happy. With the flip of a coin you come to In a Week, a duet with the lovely Karen Crowley which is about (I think) a couple who commits suicide and their decaying. I know that sounds horrendous but it is BEAUTIFUL and sad and just amazing. I have nothing bad to say about this album and I actually cried because he was coming to Austin and I couldn’t go because of school. I then cried of happiness when I found out he was going to Bonnaroo. I’ll see you in June, Hozier!

I hope you get something out of these favorites of mine. I had a great January and am looking forward to what this year has in store for me. Love you all!

Song of the Day-In a Week-Hozier ft. Karen Crowley (duh)