Holiday Archives | Page 4 of 6

December 7, 2015 — 1 Comment

Holiday Beauty

[tatsu_section padding= "90px 0% 90px 0%"][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]The holiday season is a great time to try something new with your makeup. This sparkly time of year allows for bold lips and bright eyeshadows, and the party scene is the perfect place to test the waters.

The two looks I'm showing you today are perfect opposites–one plays up the lips, and the other focuses on dramatic eyes.

For this look, I start out with my normal primer and foundation. Add some bright white/silver eyeshadow all over the lid, and line the top lid with a heavy, dramatic wing.

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/2+1/2"][tatsu_column layout= "1/2"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/2"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]Add blush and highlighter, and finish with a bold lip. I'm using Maybelline's Red Revolution–it's the perfect Christmas red!

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation | Urban Decay Naked Flushed Blush and Highlighter | Lorac The Royals Eyeshadow Collection | Lorac Front of the Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner | Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revolution

For the second look, I keep the foundation and blush the same.

To get the smoky eye, layer a few dark gray eye shadows in the crease and outer corner of the lid. Sweep a little of the gray under the eye–don't be scared! It's intimidating, because you definitely don't want to look like a raccoon or a panda bear, but adding a little of the gray underneath really helps blend out the eyeshadow and prevents it from having a sharp line. Then add black on the outer half of the lid, and a lighter silver on the inner half. Blend it all out with a fluffy brush, and add a little white to the inner corners to brighten them up.

Add a pink or a nude lip to balance out the drama of the eyes. And don't forget the mascara!

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation | Urban Decay Naked Flushed Blush and Highlighter |Urban Decay NAKED 2 Eyeshadow Palette | Lorac Front of the Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner | Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lipcolor in Petal

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/2+1/2"][tatsu_column layout= "1/2"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/2"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]Are you planning on trying out either of these looks this holiday season? Let me know if you'd be interested in a more detailed tutorial in the future![/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/2+1/2"][tatsu_column layout= "1/2"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/2"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"][/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

Published by Alexandra Adams in Beauty, Christmas, Holiday, Makeup, Style

December 3, 2015 — No Comments

Gift Guide for the 20-Everything!

[tatsu_section padding= "90px 0% 90px 0%"][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]Y'all already know that gift guides have been one of my favorite things this past month, so you knew I couldn't get away without doing one of my own! Now, to be honest with you, I haaate the term "20-something." It's so often used derogatorily, and as a 20-something myself, I don't like being belittled or underestimated. TODAY, however, I present to you a gift guide for the 20-everything! These gifts can apply to women in all the stages of our 20s, and you know what? I think we deserve to be celebrated. It's hard out here for us girls. I'm sure any and all of these gifts would be appreciated by the 20-everythings in your life.

KATE SPADE 'ALL IN GOOD TASTE' | $28
This book promises to transform you into the hostess everyone wants an invitation from with its numerous how-tos, essays, recipes, and more. Have you ever seen a cuter coffee table book?

THE SPRINKLE CARRY ON COCKTAIL KIT | $24
This kit provides everything you need to make two sprinkle vodka & tonics mid-flight - all you need to add is the hard stuff.

HAVE A CUP OF CHEER HAND STAMPED SPOON | $17
Each letter on this spoon is stamped by hand on a vintage spoon, so each one has a perfect handmade touch. Paired with a mug and some marshmallows, this would be a perfect gift!

2016 GARANCE DORÉ | $26
This gorgeous calendar doubles as wall art with its gorgeous illustrations with French illustrator,
author and photographer Garance Doré. Check out Rifle Paper Co.'s other calendars too.

FESTIVE PHRASES PILLOW | $68
The beautiful embroidery and sequins on these pillows make them stand out against your standard holiday decor. Check out all five options!

OVERSIZED GRID CHECK SQUARE SCARF | $33
I've been lusting over this scarf for months now. It sold out and recently was brought back, so I'd snap it up now before it sells out again!

PINK BELLINI BIJOU CANDLE | $32
Candles can transform the feel of a space so quickly. This one mixes floral, citrus, and musky scents, and the container couldn't be prettier.

LIMITED EDITION GOLDEN MONOGRAM MUG | $10
This mug couldn't be more instagrammable–which of course, is the mark of a perfect present!

And if you're still strapped for ideas, pretty much everything on J. Crew's Gift Guide is probably a safe bet. What's on your wishlist this year?[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

Published by Alexandra Adams in Christmas, Holiday, Round Up

Tags: gift guide

December 1, 2015 — No Comments

Holiday Rom Com Movie Bingo + Printable

[tatsu_section padding= "90px 0% 90px 0%"][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]Happy December 1st–or as I like to call it, Christmas 1st! The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of year. Everything is sparkly and exciting, everyone is generally in a great mood, and cheesy holiday movies are abundant.

Those predictable Christmas movies aren’t for everyone, but my family loves them. I mean, loves them. The storylines are all so similar, and they all wrap up within a neat hour and a half (or two hours, if you’re watching with commercials). They’re always a reliable choice to put me in a spirited mood, and nothing is better than cozying up with a mug of hot chocolate, a blanket, and your closest friends with one of these “classics.”

My mom and I have been working on a list of events that make an uncanny number of appearances throughout these movies over the past couple years, and I finally made them into bingo cards! Now you can host a Holiday Movie Bingo party and laugh your way through the predictability of these movies too. There are 8 different cards, so you can invite over as many friends as can fit in your living room. Play along by tagging @xheightment and #HolidayMovieBingo on Instagram! (Bonus: they can also double as a fun drinking game, if you so choose!)

Some of my favorite movies are the ones that come on the Hallmark channel and Lifetime, but Netflix has some great options too! Check out Christmas Crush, 12 Dates of Christmas, Holiday Engagement, Holidaze, A Christmas Kiss, The Mistletones, and All I Want for Christmas—and once if you've watched all of those, Netflix will just keep recommending Christmas movies to you until the end of time. Or at least until the end of the year!

Download the printable cards here!

Now I know you’re going to want to play this more than once, so instead of using traditional bingo daubers, try using Hershey’s Kisses or peppermints as markers! I found these adorable Kisses that look like Santa hats—how cute are they???

And of course, don’t forget to have prizes for the winners!

What are some of your favorite holiday movies? Are you a more traditional, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life type? Or will you be playing #HolidayMovieBingo with me this year and watching all the cheesy romances?[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

Published by Alexandra Adams in Christmas, Design, Download, Entertaining, Holiday, Party, Printable

November 30, 2015 — No Comments

Downloadable Holiday Phone Wallpapers

[tatsu_section padding= "90px 0% 90px 0%"][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]Today is the last day of November, which means the winter holiday season is fully upon us. To help you (and me!) get in the spirit, I've made 5 downloadable wallpapers to use on your phones this winter! Click the links below each photo to save the appropriate size for your phone.[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/5+1/5+1/5+1/5+1/5"][tatsu_column layout= "1/5"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]

iPhone 5
iPhone 6
iPhone 6+

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/5"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]

iPhone 5
iPhone 6
iPhone 6+

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/5"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]

iPhone 5
iPhone 6
iPhone 6+

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/5"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]

iPhone 5
iPhone 6
iPhone 6+

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][tatsu_column layout= "1/5"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]

iPhone 5
iPhone 6
iPhone 6+

[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]Let me know if you're using any of these this holiday season![/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

Published by Alexandra Adams in Art, Christmas, Design, Download, Holiday

November 25, 2015 — 1 Comment

Giving Thanks

[tatsu_section padding= "90px 0% 90px 0%"][tatsu_row layout= "1/1"][tatsu_column layout= "1/1"][tatsu_text max_width= "" wrap_alignment= "center" animation_type= "none"]I usually try and post something on Thursdays, but since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I knew I didn’t want to try and interrupt my family time that day, and I knew none of you would want to read anything I wrote until the next day anyway! So enjoy your day tomorrow, spending quality time with your loved ones. Here are some of the things I’m most thankful for this year.

My family

This is an obvious one, of course, but that doesn’t make it any less true. My parents are incredible, and I’ve loved living at home with them again during this transitional time in my life. My dad is the greatest; he’s always so supportive of my work and loves to remind me that he loves me best. I love having him on my side. My mom and I are very alike, which is great, because we tend to agree on most things. And we share the same shoe size, so that’s definitely an advantage to living at home. My brother’s been at home too recently, due to an ACL tear, which has made it feel a little like high school all over again, but it’s been good. I also appreciate that he enjoys some Taylor Swift as much as I do. And my sister’s at school in Florida and I miss her a ton, but we still talk every day (and have over 130 day snap streak going strong!). She’s my best friend, and I love that we’ve gotten closer as we’ve gotten older. Of course, my dogs are up there with making me happy, and I love spending time with our extended family over the holidays as well.

My faith

During this time in my life, I'm encountering a lot of uncertainty and doubt, and it's so comforting to know that God is there for me through all of it. I recently joined a small group with some other women at my church, and they've been so supportive and great to me. I love meeting up with them every week.

Netflix

I’ve had a lot of time on my hands the past couple months in between sending out applications and writing cover letters, searching for a full-time position. I’ve discovered a bunch of new shows via the “Recommended for you” feature, and the lack of commercials makes me happy. I also love rewatching shows I’ve seen countless times before, like Gilmore Girls, FRIENDS, and Gossip Girl. This might be a silly thing to be thankful for, but I love it all the same.

Light

Now that Daylight Savings has come around again, natural light is limited during the day, which makes those few hours of sun that much more precious to me. I love using natural light for photos, so I have that much less time to photograph my projects. As soon as it gets dark it feels like it’s 10 pm to me and I lose some of my motivation that I have during the lighter hours, so I try to take advantage of the time as best I can.

Good Books

I recently read The Martian and it was excellent; I highly recommend it. I love books that really make me think; I don't find the same kind of prompt from other mediums the way I do books. I love feeling the suspense and tension and anticipation all from the comfort of my couch. I also have put a couple books on my Christmas list that I'm looking forward to reading (Mindy Kaling's Why Not Me? being at the top of that list).

What are some things you're thankful for this year?[/tatsu_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

Published by Alexandra Adams in Holiday, Thanksgiving