5.13.2013

Springtime Everyday Makeup Look!


I've found that once spring rolls around, I tend to avoid the full-faced makeup and want to go for something a bit simpler.

Less "ingredients" being used, if that makes any sense, less coverage, and lighter shades.

I found that I've been really enjoying these. The best part: you can get almost everything at the drugstore for less than $15 a piece.

THE GOODS:

I cannot get enough of this mascara. It was one of the first mascaras I've ever had back in middle school! To this day it's one of my favorites. I think that it volumizes and lengthens lashes better than so many of the higher-end mascaras out there. Plus, it's so dark! Sometimes I get a bit picky about my mascaras if they're "black" isn't really "blackest black" if ya catch my drift. Not all shades of black are created equally in the world of mascara and on most occasions, I prefer the darkest of the mascaras. When this is used with my lash curler, perfect every time.


I love the eos lip balms (as so many others do!) and my all-time favorite flavor is lemon drop. I'm allergic to citrus fruits, I get hives. So I don't get to have lemonade very often, but I love it. This is nice because I get a bit of lemonade every time I swipe on my balm!


I've found that Revlon's Cream Blush, especially in the shade Flushed, is especially flattering for me. I would imagine that this shade would blend nicely with most skintones to provide a pretty and pink flush to the cheeks. I find that it has a cream-to-powder consistency and it's super easy to apply. If I want a little extra color in my lips, this works really well for that, too.



Lately I've been sticking to concealer sans foundation. I haven't had a ton of spots to cover up and my skin tone has been a bit more even than usual. So I just swipe this stuff under my eyes, a spot here, a dab on the nose there, and I have just enough coverage. I really like theBalm's concealer because, at least for me, it doesn't seem to crease in my under-eye area. If you're looking for something in the drug store, though, I like Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Eraser, too. Actually, I probably use that one just as frequently haha.



5.11.2013

FITNESS FAVORITES: bras and shorts


FIND IT FAST: bras / shorts

While everyone is working on achieving their best bikini bod for the summer, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite pieces of fitness attire!

First, I'll discuss the bra. This sports bra is like a steel trap for my boobs. I mean that in the best way possible, too. I'm a slightly larger-busted lady, so I need a sports bra with maximum support. Thankfully, Champion has achieved that for me with their Show-Off Sports Bra. It's quite a bit pricier than other bras, but it saves me a lot of pain and discomfort from running. I would recommend this bra to anyone who needs that little extra support, no matter your size!

Which brings me to another great point about this one... the hooks in the back and adjustable straps help to ensure that your bra really is the best fit for you. Plus, check out the cute colors! Not quite as much of a rainbow as Nike's basic sports bras are, but definitely more support, too.

Nike... how much more classic can you get? I feel like Nike is kind of the ultimate in running attire - the first brand that most people think of. I would say that when it comes to these shorts, there's a very good reason for that. Nike's Tempo Running Short has been a staple in my summer running attire for several years now. I found my first pair (quite cheap!) at Marshall's about three years ago and I still have them and run in them. Plus, they come in EVERY COLOR IN THE RAINBOW! They even offer fun printed patterns!

What's even better about these shorts? Maybe this won't apply for everyone, but I have a bit of a chub rub problem in the thigh region. I know lots and lots of women have trouble with this when running. Until I finally got some spandex to wear underneath my running shorts, these babies were my favorite thing to run in. I found that these shorts helped to protect me from that uncomfortable inner-thigh rub much better than any other shorts I had previously had.

So there you have it! A couple of my all-time fitness faves.

If you liked this post and want to see more like it, let me know by commenting!

Do you have a favorite sports bra or running short? What is it? Seriously, please tell me... I'm always looking for more pieces to try out! It would be a great help to me! :)

5.09.2013

Making statements: acid green shorts.

Or "citrus lime" as J. Crew likes to call them. I love their chino shorts. Both the 3" and 4" totally rock, and come in so many fun colors. Here I've put together three ways to style the bright and fun neon shade that they offer.

THE SHORTS:


COLOR-BLOCKED "SKATER" LOOK:





To be honest, I think this looks totally comfy cozy for a breezy (not quite tank-top weather) spring day. Perfect for hanging out, running errands, going for a walk... comfort being key here!

There's something about mixing hoodies and shorts that I really love, too.

Layering up in the spring can be a good idea when out and about. One minute it's raining and chilly and the next minute the sun is shining and you can still be comfortable taking off that hoodie!

I think that I would probably wear a plain white tee under the hoodie.


SUNDAY MORNING LOOK:






I like this look for a sunny and warm Sunday morning. I could see myself walking around the farmer's market, getting some daisies and fresh vegetables in this outfit.

Or perhaps walking around town in and out of the boutiques.

This is more of an outfit for summer than spring, for sure. Hot weather style! I absolutely adore those sunnies, too.

EDGY NIGHT OUT LOOK:





I thought that this would be a fun and slightly edgier look to wear on a night out. Maybe a ladies night out to the bar or to wear dancing?

I don't know about anyone else, but I find that when I go out, I have a tendency to wear really dark colors. Black, black, some navy, more black, dark gray, almost black-blue jeans, and did I mention black? It's a comfortable, not to mention slimming, go-to hue.

This look kind of accomplishes that desire to wear dark shades and stay within my comfort zone, while breaking out of it a bit with that pop of neon green.


What does everyone else think about these shorts?! I would love to get some feedback on it! I really have so much fun making these styling posts and I would love to know more about what you all want to see!

Please comment and let me know... would you rock out these shorts and how would you pull them off?

5.05.2013

Interior inspiration: a pop of color


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Lately I've had interior design thoughts on the mind... especially pertaining to spicing up small spaces on a budget.

I find the somewhat rustic look of palettes turned furniture appealing to the eye. Cheap, attractive, and very customizable!

The crane mobile was technically meant for a children's bedroom, but I thought that it was so cute. I would definitely hang this in a living room or a bedroom, too.

If you haven't figured it out based on previous posts, or if you're new around here, I love pineapple. When people ask me "what's your favorite food?" it's always an immediate tie between pineapple and cheese. So this throw pillow is just the pop of color a small space could use!

I thought that this poodle would be an adorable embellishment for a kitchen, living room, or even bathroom.

These are just a few things that I found while surfing the internet! I've found that dwelling gawker is a great source for inspiration. Check it out for yourself! You can search by any particular room, textiles, lighting, even pets.

How fabulous!

4.17.2013

Wishy Washy Wedneday.

That's right people, you read it right. I'm doing a Wishy Washy Wednesday post.

No Wednesday Wishes or anything like that... because I'm feeling wishy washy.

If you google search "wishy washy", it comes up with "weak in willpower, courage, or vitality."

I don't know if that's exactly how I'm feeling... I prefer to use the synonyms "blah" and "meh" instead.

A webcam shot demonstrating "Wishy Washy Wednesday"
Lately I haven't been feelin' it. I haven't been feelin' anything, actually. Or maybe the correct way to put it is that I've been feeling too much of the wrong things.

My internal filter has been struggling to overcome the sad and anxious and stressful things with the happy and exciting and wonderful things lately. I've been really missing my sister more than anything, as well as Courtney, Kristin, Allison, and all of my other good friends from college who I haven't seen since like September.

So I needed a post just to put that out there.

I know that I've been inconsistent lately - and I'm going to let myself do that. I need to let myself do that.

I was planning on going to England with Kyle to meet more of his family and go sightseeing and all that jazz for the week of my birthday in June.

He will hopefully be starting a new job soon, though. Plus, I miss my sister so much, I haven't seen her since... August? September? I don't even remember.

So sayonara London, I'm off to Seattle for a week in June. I absolutely cannot wait.

Kyle can't join me there, but that's ok. I think that it's going to be a really important opportunity for me to take and I AM taking it.

On a more positive/pro-active note, I finally got the first of my hepatitis B vaccine. You know, ten months after I was supposed to get it. I came around to it... I had this sleep-deprived moment of clarity where I was looking at a broken blood culture bottle at work and I just thought "oh my gosh, they could have hepatitis B and I could totally get it from their blood that's in the baggy right now."

Don't worry people, I didn't break the bottle, it was already broken (and empty) when I took it out of the courier's batch delivery. Broken in transit, it happens.

So go me... I did a grown up thing and got a shot. I didn't even cry or try and run away or anything.

4.11.2013

Things I Like Thursday...


1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

I went with orange for the title today because it's been soo incredibly gorgeous out. Orange is a summery and warm color so, naturally, I just gravitated towards that shade. I don't know if one actually has to do with the other, but whatever! I'm going orange today and that's that.
  1. This lipstick by Rimmel is my ideal "your lip color but better" shade. I'm so pleased with it! It's from their line by Kate Moss. I have the Lasting Finish in 17.
  2. Of course, the Macbook Pro. My 13 inch baby... I think "like" is an understatement on this one. You can find my current desktop image here, too!
  3. This nail polish is so pretty and shiny! It's almost distracting on my fingers haha. I am absolutely in love with it!
  4. Pineapple is my favorite fruit. NATURALLY I will love it in my favorite yogurt!
  5. Pear is a new favorite flavor of yogurt for me. I like pears, they're fine and good. But pear yogurt? Even better. Seriously.
  6. My Urbanears! I got these on sale (half off!) at Urban Outfitters and they sound so awesome! I find them very soft and comfortable, too. I'm liking them much better than my purple and blue WESC headphones, which I can't even locate right now.
  7. This face mask from The Body Shop is one that I've returned to time and time again. I used it when I was younger and still use it now! I find it leaves my face feeling so clean and wonderful. Plus, no breakouts! I try to use it a couple of days a week.

What are some things you're liking right now? If you've made a similar post I'd love to see it, please link it up for me!

4.09.2013

Tuesday talks!

Q: Current feelings?
A: Hopeful!

Q: What color nail polish are you wearing?
A: Revlon Top Speed in Cloud.

Q: Current scent?
A: Victoria's Secret Coconut Passion Body Mist!

Q: Favorite article of clothing?
A: Kyle's For All I Am hoodie.

Q: What CD are you listening to in the car right now?
A: Motion City Soundtrack, I Am The Movie.

Q: If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
A: Chilling out up at Kyle's house, meeting his new bunny rabbits!

Q: What are you looking forward to this week?
A: DEVILS GAME ON FRIDAY! Wheeee!

Q: How many cups of coffee did you need this morning?
A: NONE. OK I needed like five but I didn't have any.

Q: Favorite blog this week?
A: Milk Bubble Tea. She is FREQUENTLY one of my favorite bloggers!!

Q: What will you do right after this?
A: I know that I should be getting ready for bed... so probably that. Maybe.

4.06.2013

Quick update...

Hello all! You might have noticed if you follow me on Instagram (jennanafone) or if you just look at my Instagram feed up above right now, I got a new computer! Finally, no more random crashes and restarts and blue screens of death.

But now... bring on the file transfers and re-installations.

I have to re-install all of the programs I had on my Dell like Photoshop and The Sims 3. You know, the important stuff.

I have to change over all of my music and stock photos and re-install my favorite fonts.

Tedious? Yes. Worth it? Yes.

In case you do not follow me on Instagram, here is a pic of the new laptop:


New laptop aside, I've been putting in a lot of overtime at work lately.

Because I've been at work more hours a day than I've been home, I have laundry and blankets and pillows and bags and shoes all over my room right now, so I really do need to get to work and clean that up.

I mean, I can barely see the floor anymore.
That floor... that really needs to be vacuumed.

Just wanted to make a quick Saturday update, though. For those who celebrate it, happy Caturday!