The Future of #bdibNA

The Future of #bdibNA

I've been dreading writing this post for a few weeks now. But I've come to a few realizations that bum me out but have to be said. 

The #bdibNA chat every Friday is cancelled indefinitely.

I mean you all probably knew that already - but I just cannot keep up with the chat and some personal things going on in my life as well. If you haven't noticed, I've taken quite an extended break from blogging and hosting the chat, I'm hoping to revamp the blog shortly and pick it back up again. If I do return to regular blogging and feel like I can make time for the #bdibNA chat, I will definitely pick it back up again. But until then - I'm going to have to shut it all down and spend some more time focusing on myself. 

If you'd love to take over or get a good solid round of guest hosts going to keep the chat alive - toss me a DM and I'll consider the option.

Thanks for understanding ya'll. Much love.

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First Day of Autumn

First Day of Autumn

Today is the first official day of Autumn - and Pumpkin spice everything is already in full effect. Also with the first day of autumn means HALLOWEEN. Because really, as soon as it turned September I was already thinking about it.

Things I'm totally looking forward to:

• Halloween (duh!)
• Berry lipsticks
• Being able to wear a sweater and not sweat to death.
• Boots (all the boots!)
• The baking I'm about to do
• Thanksgiving (that still counts as autumn, right?)
• Cute plaid
• Hot chocolate
• Fuzzy blankets and warm cuddles

Honestly though, it doesn't even start to feel even remotely like fall until like November here. I'll probably still be wearing tank tops in December. (Winter, whats that?) But here I am, snuggled under a blanket with my puppy, sipping some hot chocolate, planning which purple metallic lip I want to wear tomorrow. It's the little things everyone - the little things.

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Hello Wench - A Life Update

Let's sit down for some coffee - shall we?

The past few months have been an absolute roller coaster for me - and I am exhausted. Travelling to Japan was one of the absolute best experiences in my entire life. It will be a moment I will always cherish and I look upon those two weeks with such fondness I don't even know how to explain it. I have so many blog posts planned around this trip - but I also have 800+ photos to sort through and edit. Don't worry, it's coming. Posts will also resume back on the regular schedule of twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday.

In case you DON'T know who I am, I'm the ONLY official regular host of the Friday night #bdibNA chat. Which is seriously difficult to host on Friday because well, it's Friday. But chats will start coming back in regular rotation once I get back on my schedule. I really didn't realize it was going to take almost a month to get back into the swing of things. Which is probably an error on my part.

Other than that I am honestly making an effort into being the best version of myself possible and making strides in being more confident than ever. Thanks for spending some time with me!

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Top 10 Under $10

Top 10 Under $10

Let's start with Lips!
1. Milani Color Statement Lipstick (Pretty Natural) - $5.99
2. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Copenhagen) - $5.99
3. Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color (Touch Of Spice) - $7.99

The above are definitely my go-to lippies when I'm looking to run out of the house. I've recently also been reaching for the Milani Amore matte lip cream. NYX has the widest selection of colors and it has some serious staying power.

 Moving on to the face...
4. Ulta Illuminating Powder - $10.00
5. Milani Rose Powder Blush (Coral Cove) - $7.99
6. e.l.f. BB Cream - $6.00
7. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser - $6.99

I love using the Illuminating powder to set my undereye - it's really brightening and it helps disguise my dark circles. I'm also on my second tube of e.l.f. BB Cream in Light Beige. The Maybelline Baby Skin helps make any and all foundations/BB creams go on smoothly.

And onto the eyes...
8. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara - $5.99
9. Palladio Liquid Eyeliner in Black Shimmer - $5.99
10. Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Inked in Pink - $6.99

This mascara is probably the blackest mascara I've ever used. It has a tendency to smudge, but that still doesn't stop me from loving it. Palladio liquid liner has been a mainstay for me for like 5 years now, I seriously think this is my 3rd one at least. Other liners come and go in-between, but I always find myself going back to this one. Maybelline color tattoos - need I say more? It now comes in even easier stick form and I have it in multiple colors but tend to lean towards the pink color for neutral everyday wear.

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Blogging Advice: Breaking the Scheduling Stigma

Blogging Advice: Breaking the Scheduling Stigma

On this month's Blogging Advice I'm gonna talk about something that gets a lot of flak - Scheduling. And I'm not talking about when you schedule one or two posts - it's when you've got month's planned ahead of time.

I find that people feel scheduling that far ahead to be "cold" or to be "inorganic". Which, to be fair if your writing style comes off that way, it definitely can. A reader can always tell when the author isn't really into what they are writing about. But scheduling so far in advance doesn't make you detached from the subject in which you are writing about. If anything, your view may change and grow while that post sits and waits to be posted and you can always go back and change what you've written. (Whether it's been published or not, your opinions are allowed to change.)

If a topic comes up that you've like to post or speak about first, you can always reschedule! Moving a schedule around the moving your posts around is not as hard as it seems  - heck maybe you can even post off-schedule. *gasp* Bonus post! These extra bonus posts can also help your schedule if you're currently going through a bit of a dry-spell.

This is def a piece of helpful advice when you are working with brands and you schedule more than a month in the future: Let the brand know. Most brands like at least a tentative date in which their product will be featured. This keeps your relationship with them open and honest - which (when all's said and posted) leaves both of you with a successful post and a good working relationship.

Scheduling is not a bad thing, (tbh this post was written a month ago, with some edits throughout the month) and it definitely allows for less stress and panicking about getting posts up on time. Which I know I've done the mad dash right around posting time where I've got no ideas, no pictures, and a seemingly insurmountable task. Scheduling ahead of time gets me around that. (and scheduling my tweets for the week on Monday helps too!)

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Blogging Advice

Blogging Advice

Tomorrow starts an installment of a new monthly series here on Hello Wench. 

(Basically a series on all the crap I wish I knew when I started blogging)

+ some tips for seasoned bloggers

It aims to be helpful to other bloggers/people looking to put themselves on a schedule and to keep themselves a little more organized. I've only been at this for a year, but I feel like I've learned so much and I want to share that wealth of knowledge with you! 

Directory:

Organization

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Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend

I totally forgot that yesterday was Tuesday - I kept thinking that is was Monday all day. That aside, this past weekend was Labor Day here in the States and that means a three day weekend! Woohoo! So here's my weekend in a set of photos.

My long weekend started out with a terribad rainstorm.

But it pretty quickly picked up as soon as Chris & I made it to our destination. Also, $10 beach umbrellas.

The rain never seemed to want to leave - and this bird was enjoying the temp drop.

To be fair though, sunsets after a rainstorm always seem to make for the best pictures.

What did you do over Labor Day Weekend?

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Review: Tarte Rainforest After Dark Palette

Review: Tarte Rainforest After Dark

Okay so its no surprise that I was absolutely in love with this palette when it was released last year - but would NEVER find it in my local Ulta to purchase it. Recently I was in Ulta for another BBS when all of a sudden there it was! The palette that had been evading me for an entire year! Needless to say, I picked it up right away and felt no guilt as $38 was drained from my bank account. #FLYMONEYFLY (amirite?!)

One thing I love about this palette is the look of it - it really is gorgeous. The mirror is huge and the blush included is the perfect pink for my skin-tone. I also really love the shadows that come in this palette for fall. Fall always makes me think of cool deep purples and browns with a bit of metallic shimmer. Which this palette delivers for me flawlessly. I am so freakin' excited to use this palette this fall - I'm sure you guys will be seeing it a lot more! (at least from me)

Products included in the palette:

Highlighter in Champagne

Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Blush in Unleashed

Eyeshadows: Bare to Explore, Make A Mauve, Plum Away With Me,

Up to No Gold, Tan-gled Up in You, Don't Turn A-Brown

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How To: Everyday School Makeup

How To: Everyday School Makeup

The first week of school is over, we can all stop trying to impress everyone now. Let's get down to the nitty gritty and the basics of what your everyday makeup is going to look like while you run to classes.

Personally, I wore minimal makeup to school after the first week because doing a full face of makeup takes too long - and I like to sleep. So here are the staples I used everyday to get ready for school.

Lush Review: Mask of Magnaminty

Lush Review: Mask of Magnaminty

The weekend I got back from vacation I did a little retail therapy. AKA It was tax-free weekend and I went SHOPPING. While I was out I had to stop at my local Lush and pick up a few things, of those few things was this Mask of Magnaminty. While on vacation I only had makeup wipes and a bar of soap to wash my face, so when I got home it was time for a serious deep cleansing.

Lets go over some key points: Smell, Texture/Feel, How well it cleansed my face, and overall.
Smell: It smelled good! I'm a sucker for peppermint - and its supposed to suck all of the gross stuff out of your pores. I know I'm not the only one who wants their face to burn a little bit while doing a mask.

Texture/Feel: It is definitely thick - and almost difficult to spread all over your face. It feels good on the skin though and gets firm in the recommended time.

Cleansing ability: To be fair, this is where I felt like it fell short. I've been having some troubles with my skin lately so thats why I splurged a bit on this bad boy because my usual routine wasn't cutting it. But once I washed it off I still felt like my skin was really oily and I don't really see any difference. I'll continue to use it and see if it takes more than once for it to make a difference. I did however like how when I washed it off it came off easily and the texture helped exfoliate my skin.

Overall: I'd give it a 6/10 - it smelled awesome, felt like the right consistency, but fell a little flat on the purpose of it. It left my skin oily (probably because of the self-preserving oils) and with the need to wash my face again. I'm going to let my fiance test it out next since his skin is different than mine.

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(not) Back to School

(not) Back to School!

So just in case you guys don't know - kids went back to school this week. And I think I actually feel some type of way about finally not being able to participate in the Back to School excitement/dread (depending on which side you're on).

I feel like school and university had always been an integral part of my life, it forced me to make friends, participate with the public, and it gave me a goal to achieve. But now that I've graduated University I no longer have that, and it's an awkward feeling. I think I'm actually starting to realize that life doesn't have to revolve around school and that there are other wonderful things you can do.

I think after this first week it's made me realize how happy I am to not be in school anymore. I loved school, don't get me wrong, but the feeling of not being good enough has finally subsided and I feel more confident today than I have in a really long time. Being out of school also allows me to explore opportunities and passions that I didn't have time for previously. I've come to realize that I really like being outside and on the water, I've rekindled my love for MMORPGs, and it has also given me the chance to concentrate on my relationship. I don't think I've ever been happier than I am right now.

Would I go back for my Masters? As of right now, no. But who knows what the future holds - I'm just along for the ride.

(PS - I never fully appreciated BTS Tax free weekend until last week, and it was glorious!)

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My vacation to Deep Creek, Maryland

Deep Creek, Maryland

I'm back from vacation! While I was gone I managed to take around 100 photos and its taken lots of time to get through them all. But while I was gone I got to do some really awesome things!

First things first, I flew into the SMALLEST airport I think I've ever been in. It literally had one terminal and three gates, and the only airline that flew in/out of it was Spirit. It was also the closest airport to my destination and I was still TWO HOURS out. What can I say, I decided to go to the middle of nowhere.

First day there I flew into the airport with my brother and met up with my Grandparents who had driven up there a few weeks earlier. After a bit of a drive we met up with my other set of Grandparents and my Aunt and Uncle who had met up with them the day before. We went to a nice lunch at the local Longhorn and caught up on life. I hadn't seen my other Grandparents in a long time and it had been at least 10 years since I had even been to their house.

Afterwards my Aunt and Uncle joined us on our journeys and we ended up at the Ohiopyle state park. Luckily for us it offered us a gorgeous view and gave us the chance to stretch our legs after a bit in the car. We also got to see some of the river we would be rafting on a few days later. (we actually launched just South of where these photos were taken).

Blogs to read while I'm away....

Blogs To Read While I'm Away...

This week I'm going to be away from Monday - Friday so my content and engagement is going to be kind of low. So instead I'm going to post a couple links for my favorite bloggers and the blogs I find myself reading like, a lot. Haha. They are in no particular order Just kidding I put them in alphabetical order.

A Drop of Indigo

Brooke Elise

Color U Bold

Dungarees & Donuts

Violet Roots

Zusterschap

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#UltimateVegasOutfit*

#UltimateVegasOutfit*

Getting to Las Vegas from south Florida is a bit of a haul (like, a 5 hour plane ride). So the first thing I'm going to want to do is wear comfortable enough clothes to sit on a plane for 5 hours and also not drive the TSA (and the people behind me) crazy at the airport.

I'm going to keep it comfy chic by wearing some comfortable broken in boyfriend jeans with an old Fall Out Boy band tank. I'm also going to be keeping the accessories to a minimum with just a watch, bracelet and a cute pair of earrings all while pulling my ridiculously long hair into a cute messy ponytail. I'm keeping makeup to a minimum with just some natural shadows and a cute pink lip. A backpack to hold all of the stuff I'm going to need on the plane is essential. I like to read while I'm on a plane so it's gotta be big enough to hold at least one book and my ipad. Pair all of this with some super cute kitty flats and we're good to go!

That night though, ya girl is gonna turn out.

The dress is a super cute tank floral skater dress from Miss Rebel. Its super short, has spaghetti straps, and has a cool mesh panel on the bottom of the dress. It can however get a little chilly in Vegas at night (I mean it is a desert) so I paired this dress with an awesome leather jacket to give it an edgier vibe. 
For accessories some simple but geometric layered necklaces paired with some cute stud earrings and stackable rings completed this look.  
Shoes make an outfit, so I decided booties was the way to go. Strappy shoes can get very uncomfortable by the end of the night (this is personal experience). So go with a heel you're comfortable with and a shoe you feel like you can wear all night, because you will be out ALL NIGHT.
Makeup wise, I mean, you're in VEGAS. Go smokey, go bold, and go sultry... because you CAN. Grab that Urban Decay Naked Smokey palette that you just spent your hard-earned money on and SMOKE THOSE EYES OUT. Put on a nice dose of winged eyeliner and layer that with some of Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. Top the whole look off with some berry toned lipstick from NARS and don't forget to paint your nails! Pop everything you're going to need for the night into your cross-body bag (because you're not going to want to carry your bag all night) and head out for whatever you want!

July 2015 Guilty Pleasures

July Guilty Pleasures

AKA July Favorites. Just ya know - called something different. I don't think I've done a favorites post since like Feburary though. ANYWAYS...

My favorite TV show this month was definitely Steven Universe! 

I marathoned every episode that existed in two days. I haven't cried at a cartoon in a VERY long time. This one made me cry, more than once. Don't judge me.
I also marathoned another full season of RuPauls Drag Race - because why not?!

My favorite video game this month has definitely been Guild Wars 2. I finally hit lvl 60 on my first character (an Engineer, haha). It feels nice to be able to have the time to spend it gaming again. I really enjoy myself!

My guilty pleasure SONG this month definitely has to be 'Lean On' by Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MO. I don't know why. But I've been loving it.



Onto some beauty items! I've been looooving that new Leopard Dress I featured in my 'How to Wear a Leopard Dress to Work' post. I have however worn it a few more time on more casual occasions and its still a super cute fun but casual dress to wear outside of work.

My favorite lip product this month was definitely my EOS lip balm. My lips have been soooo chapped this month so I'm trying to combat this by remembering to wear lip balm. I've also been really enjoying my Jordana Moisturizing lip balms. 

I've also been in loooove with the super pretty Coral blush that I picked up on impulse at Walmart a few weeks ago. It doesn't take much for the color to show and its super pretty. I featured it in two posts I've that much in love with it! But you can see what I'm talking about in the initial post when I picked it up here.

Annnd thats pretty much it. I got new pajamas but they look like old lady pajamas but they are sooo comfy I almost don't care.

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15 Weird Facts Tag

15 Weird Facts Tag


#1 What's a nickname only your family calls you?

A nickname only my family calls me is 'Pup'. My Grandfather is the designated nickname-assigner, and when I was a kid that's what I got! Unsurprisingly, my little brother is called 'Baby Pup'.


#2 What's a weird habit of yours?

I have to set everything to sets of 5. The TV can't be on 12 - it has to be at 10 or 15. Also whenever I get out of my car I have to lock the car once, and then once I've walked away from it I have to click the little 'lock' button on my car again.


#3 Do you have any weird phobias?

Uh, I'm afraid of fire?


#4 What's a song you secretly LOVE to blast & belt out when you're alone?


I will literally sing anything if it triggers a song in my head. But there are some country songs that I actually like but will not sing in front of anyone else.

#5 What's one of your biggest pet peeves?

Spitting. I hate it when I see guys or girls spitting in public. I find it absolutely disgusting. I also hate that noise that people make when they like suck the back of their throat. Ugh - annoying!


#6 What's one of your nervous habits?


I bite my nails suuuuuper bad. I have since I was a kid.

#7 What side of the bed do you sleep on?

I usually like to sleep on the right side of the bed - but I pretty much just prefer the side of the bed that's closest to the door.


#8 What was your first stuffed animal & it's name?

My first stuffed animal? Man I don't know. I had this super large bear when I was a kid that I slept with all the time. I didn't name him though. He was just a big white polar bear.


#9 What's the drink you ALWAYS order at starbucks?

Venti Iced Passion tea lemonade. With extra sweetener - ALWAYS.


#10 What's the beauty rule you preach.. but never ACTUALLY practice?

Probably about how often you should wash your brushes. I wash mine maybe once every 2 weeks? But to be fair I only use like 3 and I wash the sponge I apply my makeup with more often.


#11 Which way do you face in the shower?


I always face away from the shower head unless I'm washing my face.

#12 Do you have any 'weird' body 'skills'?

I can roll my toes under my feet and stand on them?


#13 What's your favorite 'comfort food'/food that's 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways?


I love eating Country Fried Steak. It literally is so delicious and I love it but I'm pretty sure its terrible for you - I mean its fried steak with creamy white sausage gravy on it. And bacon.

#14 What's a phrase or exclamation you always say?

"Sweet baby jesus"


#15 Time to sleep- what are you ACTUALLY wearing?

Usually just a t-shirt. I have this one shirt that I have literally had forever and it is the most comfortable thing in the world.

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Blogging Through A Funk

Blogging Through A Funk

Alright, I'm gonna just come out and say it - I'm in a funk. I feel completely uninspired as of late. Last month in a whirlwind of ideas I had the entire month planned - but this month I have nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

So when posting day rolled around for me I was worried - albeit terrified that I wouldn't get anything up. I asked my friends what I should write about and while their ideas were good it just didn't feel original, and it definitely didn't feel like me. So I did what any other blogger would do - binge watch an entire season of a TV show in 2 days. What?! Don't judge. After that I opened up a blog post and just started writing. I don't have any ideas - but I literally am just writing what I'm feeling. I'm not writing this one for comments, or usefulness, or so that people will actually visit. 

I realize I'm writing this post for me. These moments make me realize that I'm human - and that I am allowed to make mistakes. I'm not perfect - but being a perfectionist is part of who I am. I do not only expect to be able to do everything - I expect to be good at it.

I know this is an impossible task and literally sets myself up for disaster. I know this. And yet I still can't help myself. This is an aspect of my personality that I will probably work on for the rest of my life. But until then - I'm going to enjoy putting myself out there and doing the absolute best that I can. I'm going to enjoy my life and the experiences in it - and I will attempt to not beat myself up if it doesn't go perfectly.

And that, will probably be the hardest part.

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Mini Target Haul

Mini Target Haul

I don't haul many things very often - but this past Sunday I grabbed a few things that I definitely (didn't) need. But I did grab a few things that I DID need.

Riens Handmade Soap Review*

Riens Handmade Soap Review

Hey everyone! So today I want to sit down and have a chat with you about Riens Handmade Soap*. First things first though, this is a sponsored post and I was sent these items in exchange for an honest review.

I was sent two AMAZING handmade soaps though - one being Jasmine Rice Milk Chai Tea and the other being the Shea Butter & Olive Oil. One thing that is awesome about both of these soaps is that they are both paraben free, have no preservatives, no chemical ingredients, no SLS or detergents, no harsh ingredients, and are cruelty free!

Sucker For Packaging Tag

Sucker for Packaging Tag

Last week my blogging bestie made a new tag all about Makeup Packaging! And even though she didn't directly tag me in her post, I got this message about 10 mins after for posted it.

Which I'm pretty sure means that she wants me to do the tag. So I am!

 Have you bought anything just for the packaging?

Absolutely! I looove how Tarte, Urban Decay, and Too Faced package their products.

What limited edition item do you own that has the prettiest packaging?

Tragically, I don't own any limited edition items. (I think) I tried like hell to pick up the Tarte Rainforest After Dark palette from last fall and EVERY TIME I went to Ulta, they didn't have it. I still feel some type of way about it.

What permanent item do you own that has the prettiest packaging?

I love the simplicity of the Urban Decay Naked Palette I own. But I have to say I love how Too Faced packages my Melted Liquid Lipsticks.

Pretty or practical?

I'm a practical and drugstore kinda gal. So while pretty is nice I'm all down for practicality. 

 Name the most practically packaged item you own.

Damn, it would have to be my elf BB cream. Its in a tube, has a pump, and the pump can be twisted off and removed if you want. Its simple and easy and I totally love it.

 Can packaging be pretty and practical?

Definitely! The UD naked Palette I own is sleek, with a bunch of shades that I actually use and while its mirror isn't large - it definitely gets the job done.

Name your all-time favourite packaging!
I loooooved the look of the Tarte Rainforest After Dark palette (can you tell I'm still hung up on it?)

 What's the most boring packaging something you own has?
Its definitely gotta be some of my elf products - although most of them are black, they aren't always sleek. Some of them are even just outright oversized and poorly made. I'll continue to use them though because the product itself is pretty good for the price.

What do you look for in packaging?
Def something sleek and chic. I don't like products with bulky packaging.

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