Friday Five

5. Really want to make this for my mum.

4. I've been lusting after flakey nail polish.

3. My go to way of determining who tests on animals.

2. Project Runway All Stars looks amaz.

1. I freaking won Mal Pearson's These Are a Few of My Favorite Things Giveaway.

Skin Care Sunday (On Wednesday): Aquaphor

I've decided to do "Skin Care Sunday," even though it's Wednesday, because I haven't done one in ages. (This past Sunday was Christmas, the Sunday before that I was on a cruise, and the Sunday before that was finals week.) But enough excuses..

Aquaphor Healing Ointment is one of my all time favorite products. (It was featured in my November Loves.) Eucerin describes it as "advanced therapy for dry, cracked, or irritated skin." It's my favorite lip balm year round. This time of year though, I pretty much cover myself in it before bed. Lately, I've been smearing a liberal amount over my lips, my eyelashes, my eyebrows, and under my nose. I know this sounds bizarre, but this cold, dry weather leaves these areas completely dehydrated. Aquaphor can also be used on one's hands and feet, especially under socks and gloves.

XOXO, T

Cruelty-Free Christmas Eve FOTN and OOTN

I'm proud to announce this is the first make-up look I'm posting which includes exclusively cruelty-free products. Since it's winter (a term which I use extremely loosely) or whatever, I decided to incorporate a navy smoky crease. Because my eye make-up turned out a bit dramatic for a well lit family function, I kept my lips quite neutral. (I also completely forgot to apply blush.) My parents and I always spend Christmas Eve across town at my Aunt Vicki's house, and it was lovely to see my little cousins Kaley and Shana home from UF and FSU, respectively.

What I'm wearing:

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation applied with my fingertips

2. e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer in Sheer from my lash line to my eyebrow blended with my fingertips

3. Revlon Luxurious Color Perle Eyeshadow in Glistening Snow over my entire eyelid and tear duct

4. Wet n Wild Color Icon eyeshadow trio in I Got Good Jeans (the darkest shade, in my crease)

5. e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Gunmetal (a very thin line, as close to my lashes as possible)

6. Two coats of Almay One Coat Get Up & Grow Mascara in Black

7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Just Enough Buff

8. NYC Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City (from my VoxBox)

As far as my outfit goes, I'm wearing an Express long sleeve tee, an Old Navy faux fur vest, Guess jeans, and a Banana Republic bag. (I'm sorry this picture is so creepy and doesn't even really show my outfit.)

Friday Five

I've decided to edit my usual Weekly Favies down to only five things:

5. I'm pretty sure I don't maintain any of the 10 habits of skinny people.

4. How major is Girly Bits Cosmic Ocean?

3. This kit is even better than last year's Junkie Kit, which I love.

2. Who knew it was this easy to donate Free Kibble?

1. I die for the Sigma Beauty Bunny vegan brushes.

Holiday VoxBox 2011 c/o Influenster

It's been about a month since I heard about Influenster from one beauty blogger or another. (I can't remember who off the top of my head.) She described all of these great free samples she had received in something called a VoxBox. I wasn't entirely sure what that was, but I immediately registered and began completing surveys. Then, a couple weeks ago, I received an email telling me I had qualified to receive the Holiday VoxBox. Impatient as always, I I just got home from my cruise to find the Holiday VoxBox waiting in my mailbox. I'm not including a picture of the outside of the box in case one of our, I think, three followers is a serial killer who might hunt me down via my address. (It's just a plain white cardboard box.) Anyway, clockwise from the top, my VoxBox contains:

1. Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Soap

2. Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask

3. NYC (New York Color) Liquid Lip Shine

4. imPRESS Press on Manicure by Broadway nails

5. Larabar

6. Mentos Pure Fresh Gum

I'll try to review all of these items in a semi-reasonable amount of time.

XOXO, T

Keep Calm and...

This wall hanging makes a cute gift! Custom made, so you can add whatever "Keep Calm" saying you like.

Can You Survive a Sample Sale?

Do you think you have what it takes to survive a sample sale? I don't think I'd make it our with anything. Thanks to Refinery29 for bringing this hilarious video to my attention: http://www.wreakhavocny.com/2011/12/dvf-sample-sale-video.html

Couture de Boyfriend

I'm all for getting dressed up and looking your best 100% of the time, but once in awhile, you just have to go the casual route and steal a look from your man. (Also, please excuse the myspace style pic...it was just easier at the moment.)

No Make-Up Make-Up and Straight Hair

Just so we're all on the same page, "no make-up" make-up is very minimalistic make-up; the goal is to look like you're not wearing any make-up but are just that naturally gorgeous. This has pretty much been my go to look the past couple weeks. What I'm wearing:

1. e.l.f. Golden Bronzer dusted over my entire face

2. Urban Decay Midnight Cowgirl dabbed right on my tear ducts

3. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume in Very Black

4. Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm

Seriously, that's it. Four things. Had I been going anywhere important today (read, seeing a cute boy), I would've used a tinted moisturizer to even out the redness around my nose and probably a little coral blush under my cheekbones; but since I was just going to a hair appointment, which I was already late for, I did the abridged version. I spent the rest of the day packing for my cruise! (This will be my last post for a week.)

XOXO, T

P.S. Can we please talk about my hair? I seriously didn't even realize it had gotten so long (since it's always so curly). I got a dark auburn rinse, a trim and (obviously) a blow dry.

Why I've Decided to Go Cruelty-Free and My Favorite Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Brands

I should disclose that I'm a complete animal lover. During my twenty-two and a half years on this planet, I've had close to a dozen pets (probably double that if you count fish), including 3 cats, 4 rabbits, one leopard gecko, and a genius Border Collie-Blue Heeler. My Tuffi (below) has the sweetest soul in the world. When I look in her big, brown eyes, I can't imagine how anyone could commit such horrors to an innocent animal.

A few days ago, I saw Beagle Freedom Project - Second Rescue - June 8, 2011, which broke my heart since Beagles are typically such an adventurous, high energy breed. Although the video has a happy ending for these nine puppies, I can't help but think about all the other animals who aren't as lucky.

But the severity of the issue finally hit home for me when I read a Shimmer Kisser article, detailing just what all happens to animals in test labs. I'd always assumed that all that happened in these places was painting bunnies' fingernails or putting mascara on dogs, but learning otherwise made me cry.

I was happy to find that a few of my favorite make-up brands are indeed cruelty-free, including Almay, e.l.f., Estee Lauder, NYX, NYC (New York Color), Physicians Formula, Revlon, Sally Hansen, Sonia Kashuk, Urban Decay, and Wet n' Wild. (In addition to being cruelty-free most e.l.f. products are also vegan, with the exception of a few lip treatment items.)

I also found a pretty extensive list of cruelty-free nail polish brands. (Zoya is vegan, too.)

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." - Andy Rooney

XOXO, T

Thanksgiving Travel

Thanks to the whirlwind that is the end of the semester, I haven't been able to post in awhile. However, this weekend I took a trip up north to see the family for Thanksgiving. One of the upsides of the holiday, was that I was able to catch up on some of my homework and projects. As I wait in the airport to catch my flight home, I thought I'd give a post on what I wore for le plane trip.

I didn't want to be awkward and take a full outfit shot in front of a terminal of people, but I was sneaky enough to get a makeup shot.

Now looking at the pic, I think it looks way creepy. Anyways...I kept my makeup simple with foundation, liner, mascara, and and brown smokey eye. Experts say that flying with makeup on is bad for your skin--I say, whatevs.

As for my outfit, I'm wearing black leggings, a white tunic, a black open-front cardigan, and black suede pull-on boots. The goal for shoes while flying, is to always wear ones that are easy to slip on and off when going through security. Also I like to wear layers, as between the cold airport and my nerves, I end up shaking like a freak. Lastly, as much as I love loud, obnoxious jewelry, I go jewel-free when flying because it's one less thing to worry about at security.

--Bree

November Loves

10. Vaseline Coco Butter Deep Conditioning Body Lotion

I know this seems like a completely rando thing to have in my favorites, but Florida has been uncharacteristically dry lately, and this stuff is a lifesaver.

9. Once Upon a Time on ABC

8. e.l.f. Golden Bronzer

This makes me appear awake and alive without giving off too much color. I close my eyes and mouth and dust it all over my entire face. (Paler ladies might have to be a bit more careful.)

7. Pumpkin Spice Lattes

6. Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Mauving on Up

5. Looking for Alaska by John Green

This is a reread (Is this a word?) for me, and I found it even more meaningful this time around. I definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

4. Aquaphor

This is my favorite lip balm year-round, but in the cooler months I sleep with it slathered all over my lips, eyelashes and eyebrows.

3. Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty

A cool, silvery taupe that goes on pretty sheer for daytime but can be intensified for going out.

2. Apple pie

My mom's friend Miss Jackie from Alabama makes the best pie in the universe (from scratch).

1. iPhone 4S

I lost my Palm Pre and was due for an upgrade, so I got a white iPhone 4S and I'm basically obsessed with it. Hopefully I can avoid dropping it at least until the case I bought arrives in the mail. (I'll post pictures when it gets here.)

XOXO, T

About Bree

Of course, I had to copy Taryn and do this ABC blogger thingy. Don't be suprised to find similar answers, we're almost the same person.

Age: 22

Bed Size: double (cheers for student housing and squeaky mattresses)

Chore that you hate: Taking out the trash; I hate touching germs.

Dogs: My family has some kind of mixed mutt dog named Rocky, that we saved from a pet rescue.A g

Essential start to your day: Coffee!! A giant cup of coffee.

Favorite colors: Black, grey, pink

Gold or Silver: Gold! (very Cleopatra)

Height: 5'3

Instruments you play: :(

Job Title: Student, Peer Educator, and PINK campus rep!

Kids: Some (not all) are cute.

Live: Orlando

Mother-in-Law’s name: Not married

Nicknames: Bree, Bee, Cheese (get it??)

Overnight hospital stays: None, knock-on-wood

Pet Peeves: Laziness

Quote from a movie: "No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?"

Right or Left handed: Right.

Siblings: One younger sister and one younger brother.

Time you wake up: weekdays: 6:30 (I know) weekends: 9

Underwear: All kinds! Depends on what I'm wearing. oy shorts, mostly.

Vegetable you hate: Corn.

What makes you run late: Taking forever to decide on an outfit

X-Rays you’ve had: Again, none, knock-on-wood toes as a kid.

Yummy food that you make: Baked Ziti, T

Zoo animal: Elephants (even though I don't like animals

XO, Bree

(White) Collar TV

After seeing this video on FabSugar, I only have one thing on my mind: BUY A WHITE BUTTON DOWN.

The ABCs of Taryn

I've seen this thing going around the blog community, and I thought it'd be a good way for our readers to find out a little bit about me.

Age: Twenty-two and a half.

Twenty-two.

Bed Size: Twin or double (if I feel like sleeping in the guest room).

Chore that you hate: Hanging up the mountainous pile of clothes that always seems to accumulate on my saucer chair.

Dogs: My border collie-blue heeler Tuffi Rose:

A giant cup of coffee.

Essential start to your day: A giant cup of coffee.A giant cup of coffee.

Favorite colors: All, with a slight tendency toward jewel tones.towares.toward jewel tones.

Gold or Silver: Gold, mostly, although I wear both and have no qualms about mixing metals.

Height: 5'3-1/2"

Instruments you play: An acoustic guitar named Blondie.

Job Title: Student and adventurer.

Kids: They kind of hate me.

Live: Orlando.

Mother-in-Law’s name: Single life.

Nicknames: Ashlee calls me Tinkerbell.

Overnight hospital stays: Far too many in February of 2009.Way too many

Pet Peeves: Ice-biting noise.

Quote from a movie: "I always tell the girls, never take it seriously. If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. You never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends."

Right or Left handed: Right.

Siblings: Don't have any.

Time you wake up: Typically around nine.

Underwear: Boy shorts, mostly. oy shorts, mostly.

Vegetable you hate: Brussel sprouts, obv.

What makes you run late: Taking forever to decide on an outfit.

X-Rays you’ve had: Tons on my ankles, feet and toes as a kid.d toes as a kid.

Yummy food that you make: Chocolate Oatmeal Chippers (cookies).

hants.XOXO, T

Zoo animal: Elephantsphants.

XOXO, T