Sunday, June 29, 2014

What's in my purse?

Let me start this post by saying where my purse is from. It is a Vera Bradley purse, and the pattern is in summer cottage. I don't know the exact style, but the pattern is from a couple seasons back. I love this purse because it is perfect for summer. It fits on my shoulder well and the colors are adorable!
Now I would be lying if I said that all of these items are neatly organized in my purse, because they aren't. Recently I cleaned out this purse, which is why there aren't many items here. On the front of my purse is a pocket where I keep my receipts, because I always think I'll need them for something. It is one of my hoarder qualities. In the inside of my purse there are a total of 6 pockets, and I keep different things in each one. In one I keep my powder and hand cream. In another i keep my lip gloss and pens (random, I know). In the last I keep some perfume tattoos. I got a free sample of these a long time ago, because when I was 13 I was obsessed with signing up for free samples. These ones are temporary tattoos that smell like the perfume, which I think is cool. In another pocket I keep my sunglasses. In the main compartment of my purse I keep everything else. This includes my wallet, EOS lip balm, notebook, and Russian vocab book. The EOS is an awkward shape, so it won't fit in any pockets. I use my notebook to write down any ideas that pop into my head. I'm learning Russian, so I like to have my Russian vocab book so I can look at it when I have some free time. Another thing I bring with me is my phone, but it was charging when I took these photos.


I will have a youtube video up soon to accompany this post. If any of you have blog posts that you want me too see leave the link to them below, I love finding new blogs to follow!
As Always,
xoxo Em

*This post is not sponsored. I ordered the perfume samples on my own, they were not given to me. All photos, objects, and opinions are mine :)*

Friday, June 27, 2014

DIY hair mask for frizzy or damaged hair

Pool and ocean water can do serious damage to our hair during the summer. This mask will add shine to your hair as well as make your hair less frizzy and more smooth. I use this mask about 3 times a week, and I can tell a major difference in my hair. The ingredients you'll need are few and simple. They are olive oil, plain yogurt, and honey.















The first thing you want to do is pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a small bowl.

To the same bowl add two tablespoons of honey. Add the honey to the same tablespoon measure so that it comes out easily.
Lastly, add two tablespoons of plain yogurt.
Mix everything together until well combined. It is okay if there are a few clumps of yogurt throughout.
To apply the mixture make sure you are either wearing something you don't care about or have a towel under your hair. I like to start by dipping the ends of my hair right into the bowl. I then put a latex glove on and just pour the mask all throughout my hair and distribute it evenly. Don't go above your ears because if you get the mask on your roots they make get greasy. Leave the mask in your hair for about 20 min, and then take a shower and shampoo and condition your hair like normal. When you wake up (or after your hair dries) you'll see that your hair is shinier and smoother.

As Always,
xoxo Em

*This post is not sponsored. All photos, objects, and opinions are my own :)*











Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Milkmaid Braid

One of my favorite ways to style my hair is to do the milkmaid braid. It is easy, takes little time, and looks beautiful! Another thing I love about it is that it keeps my hair out my face. We all have moments when we contemplate chopping all of our hair off, and then we talk ourselves out of it. If my hair is up in a braid, I don't feel like it is getting in the way.
Start by dividing your hair into two equal sections.
Next braid your hair into two braids. Braid your hair going under (Dutch style), not over. This will prevent your braid from popping out from your head. Secure the braids with an elastic, preferably with clear elastics. I don't have any on hand, so I used yellow.
Take one braid and bring it across your head, securing with several bobby pins on the other side of your head.
Do the same with the other braid, so that you get a crown. My hair is long, so I use a lot of bobby pins and hair spray to keep everything in place.
Here is the finished look! It is perfect for summer because it keeps your hair off your back and out of the way. If I'm feeling fancy sometimes I braid a piece of ribbon into my braids to make my hair look more formal.

As Always,
xoxo Em

*This post is not sponsored. All photos and opinions are my own :)*


Monday, June 23, 2014

Summer Bucket List

New Hair Look
Summer is a time when you can get crazy with your hair! Try using temporary dye on the tips of your hair or on a couple streaks. Go to the hair salon and tell them to style your hair however they want. Whenever I get a trim I do this and I'm never disappointed.















Homemade Ice Cream
Nothing tastes better than homemade ice cream, plus you get to customize it! Just saying, mint ice cream with york peppermint patties in it is the bomb.












Mini Camping Trip
Invite a few friends over with some sleeping bags and sleep outside! Just make sure you check the weather forecast first. Make s'mores, tell ghost stories, play paint Twister,  have a BBQ, and just enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your backyard. If you are worried about the bugs, just sleep inside. Then in the morning have pancakes with all the toppings!






















Run a 5k
Yes, exercise! You can also walk, but running is more fun! I love doing color runs, or glow runs, where you run at night with glow sticks. At big running events there is usually a concert or festival at the end, and you usually get a cool T-Shirt!































Volunteer
Go to a local dog shelter and walk the dogs for a day. Or go to a soup kitchen and help with meals. Most soup kitchens have websites with schedules and ways you can help.
























 I love making strawberry rhubarb ice cream! What is your favorite type of ice cream? Since a lot of you emailed me asking for another giveaway I may do another one soon. If you ever have questions about my blog or about makeup or life in general, email me at urbanlifexo@yahoo.com or emmarodgers75@gmail.com. This one is my personal one so I will get back to you sooner on that one (the emmarodgers75@gmail.com one). Nothing makes me happier than talking to you guys, I love getting your emails on anything! I can help you plan outfits for special events, or give you tips on anything.
As Always,
xoxo Em

 Photos:
Pinterest 
Tumblr
By Evan-Amos (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
By Isderion (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
By Eva holderegger walser (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
<a title="By Stilfehler (Own work)

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Drugstore Lip Stick Reviews

Recently I have been going to Ulta, Walgreens, Target, etc. a lot looking for makeup products that were affordable and worth my money. Some of the items I bought were the ones above, and I have mixed reviews on them. The first is NYX's Sugar Wafer. This is the one on the far left. The packaging is very compact and sleek looking, but it does have a lot of writing on it. I like the plastic part because it shows what the color looks like and once again adds sleekness to the packaging. The pigmentation is very strong, and it goes on very creamy. It lasts for about 2-3 hours and is very moist and light. It doesn't feel like a lipstick at all. The color itself is a nice light peach color that would compliment any skin tone and any face type. This NYX butter was $6 at my local Ulta. The next lipstick is the NYX Indian Pink lipstick. It is $3.99, and I love it! It is a coral color that would compliment anyone with any skin tone. It is highly pigmented, so if you put too much on it tends to look frosty. For people with pale skin and with a light coat it would look natural, whereas people with olive or deep skin tones it would come off as more vibrant. It doesn't last for that long, but overall I like it. The packaging on this lip stick is my favorite because it is simple and is the most classic. The next lip stick is the Made it Mauve by Maybelline. The first thing that I thought about it when I tried it on was that the smell was amazing! It smells like candy :). The color is not pigmented at all, it is quite sheer. Personally I don't like dark, vibrant colors in the summer, so I really like this kind. It really makes your eyes pop, and comes off as a nice deep purple color. It acts kind of like a stain, because it stays on for a long time. I bought mine at Target for $5.99. NYX lip products can tend to look cakey, whereas this has never done that. The last lipstick/chapstick is the Baby Lip's Pink Punch. I think the packaging is super cute and is $3.99. Is it worth it? Ehhhh.... I have four of these, and they actually dry out my lips. I can't add too much of the product either or else my lips will be barbie pink. The problem is that ht lips get dry and I want a lot of moisturizer! The color doesn't last all that long either. Out of all of these it is my least favorite, but I will bring it with me to the beach or in my purse because it is the least "formal." Should you buy it? I would recommend Peach Kiss, because it is more subtle and you can apply it more liberally.
Here are some swatches of the products. The first one on the left (hot pink) is the Baby Lips. I applied 4-5 layers of each product to show the amount of pigmentation it gives off. The next color is the Color Whisper, then the NYX in Indian Pink, and then the NYX butter in sugar wafer. The camera did not project the NYX Indian Pink well, because it is not red at all. It is a mix of peach and coral. It is also shimmery.

None of these products were given to me. I'm starting to post more personal posts with my own pictures and am using my own products. If ever I'm sponsored or am given products to review I will tell you so at the top of my post.

As Always,
xoxo Em

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Items to bring in a beach bag

Hello everyone! This is my first post using my own photos, and I would like to do more of these in the future!

We will all be traveling to water this summer, and there are some things you should bring! The first is a durable bag that can be tossed in the sand or get drenched in water (you never know when you'll get thrown in water, bag and all). Another thing to bring is a beach towel. There are some bags that are a bag and towel all in one, but I like to keep them separate.






In my beach bag I keep a small bag that holds smaller items that I don't want to leak or get lost. The first is obviously sun screen. I like Hawaiian Tropic because it smells amazing! Remember, any SPF over around 30 really doesn't do anything, so getting SPF 85 is no better than SPF 30. Also, spray sunscreen doesn't work as well as the lotion, which I know sucks, but you don't want skin cancer! I also bring some sort of sun relief with me. I always apply this where I am prone to sunburns when the day is over. It doesn't prevent them, but it soothes them. Another thing I put in the bag is chapstick with SPF in it. Along with chapstick I bring face lotion. This seems weird, but my face gets super dry in the sun and I hate the feeling of dry skin. I also bring some hand cream or body butter. This way I can put some on and carry on with my day.
Another beach bag item is tanning lotion/oil. Make sure you use this sparingly! I personally only use it when I'll be relaxing all day and won't be very active. Since most tanning products have a very low amount of SPF in them, make sure you wear your sunscreen. To make small touch ups I bring a compact mirror and some powder.


I also need a good pair of sunglasses. When I go in the water I take them off but when I'm lounging around it is good to keep the sun out of my eyes.

It is always important to stay hydrated and nourished. I bring life water because normal water bores me and I also bring plenty of food. Make sure to bring things that don't melt, because they would make a mess. Stick with items like goldfish, non-chocolate granola bars (or any other type of bar that doesn't melt), and things like dried fruit.



Before I leave the house I also bring a good beach book and a magazine.This way when I'm not swimming I have something to do.

Along with my bathing suit I like to bring an oversized T-shirt to put on when I'm not swimming. This way I can minimize the amount of sunburn I get. I sometimes bring an iPod  depending on if I'm going alone or not. Another obvious thing I bring is my phone, mostly to just to see what time it is once in awhile. I also bring a wallet and gum. Usually I never need any money, but you never know. Gum is always good because you'll have fresh breath for whoever comes by.
Next week I'll be traveling, so if I don't post as often that is why. I plan on posting on the road though so hopefully you won't go too long without a post. I added my blog to bloglovin, so make sure to follow! 
As Always,
xoxo Em

*This post is not sponsored, all opinions are my own*

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Road Trip Essentials

    I'm going to start off by saying that I am so sorry for the lack of posts! My life has been super hectic, but I am back and ready to start blogging! For many of us summer vacation is finally here, and you most likely will be doing some day trips or road trips. If you're like me, then you like to be prepared for a day in the car. A typical road trip for me is around 6-8 hours in the car, but this summer I'll be going all the way to Maine (from Colorado). On average that is about 9 hours in the car for three days. This could either be hell, or loads of fun! Before you start your road trip make sure you have eaten a healthy meal. There is nothing worse than being on the road with an upset stomach because you had pancakes and bacon before you left. I usually have a bagel thin with peanut butter on one half and an egg on the other. Also make sure that your car is clean on the outside and inside. Trust me, your car will get dirty, but you want to keep it clean for as long as possible.
  On the road I like to bring a large tote bag with me. Currently I use a woven juice box bag from barnes and noble.
   I like a bag that is big enough to fit all the things I need. Now in whatever bag you choose, make sure you have plenty of water. I like SoBe LifeWater, but I also keep regular water with me as well. Personally I don't like warm water, so I make sure to keep my water in an insulated water bottle. Another essential is snacks. Make sure you bring things that don't melt, because it can get hot in the car when you turn it off to go somewhere. My go to snack of choice are kind bars, because they are healthy and tasty. Other options are homemade trail mix, freeze dried fruit (I love the strawberry kind from Trader Joe's), any kind of granola bar, or fresh fruit (if you eat them early into the ride). We keep a cooler in the back for our main meals, but I like to have my own selection with me. Especially if you're the one driving you want to stay energized. Try to limit the caffeine, because then you won't have to stop at the nearest restroom every half hour. Opt for drinks like SoBe Life Water or Zevia. Zevia is a natural, zero calorie soda that comes in flavors like root beer and cream soda. On road trips try to stay healthy, because once you get to where you're going you'll probably be eating not the best things for you.

  Entertainment is another must have. Before we leave I make playlists on my phone full of music I love. Each day we listen to a different playlist so we don't get tired of the songs. I also download several audiobooks to enjoy. If you don't get motion sick I would recommend bringing books or magazines to look at.

   In the tote I bring I pack a small bag full of items I may or may not need. In this is hand cream, hand sanitizer, Advil, motion sickness bracelets, lip balm, and plenty of gum! I also like to bring a Polaroid camera so I can take pictures and have them created immediately. This way when I get to the hotel I can put it into my travel journal.
  
  I also bring sunglasses, phone chargers, my iPad, my phone, my wallet, and fuzzy socks or slippers. I usually wear flip flops in the car so I can easily take them off and throw on something more comfortable. Along with the theme of comfort I bring a pillow. I'm not a fan of those things that wrap around your neck, I find them really uncomfortable. I also bring plenty of blankets. It can be hard to find the perfect temp in the car, so I usually leave the AC on and throw on a blanket. Another thing I bring that I usually forget is headphones. This way if others don't want to listen to my music I can listen to it by myself.
  
   If I have room in my tote I like to pack a sweatshirt and leggings. I usually start the day wearing a T-Shirt and shorts, but sometimes by the end of the day I want something more cozy. I also don't wear much makeup on road trips. I want to feel free, not smothered in makeup. 
  
  It is also fun to have planned stops to do things along the way to your destination. Before I leave I list out different attractions that are along our route. These may be famous restaurants, tourist attractions like Gettysburg, or something like the world's biggest tennis ball sculpture. On this sheet I also have a schedule on where we should be approximately at different times of the day.

  I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! I'm working on different posts and am starting a cooking/baking page! Eventually I would like to have a separate blog devoted to just cooking/baking. I have also updated my shopping page so be sure to check it out!
As Always,
xoxo Em

*This post is not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly. :)*