Happy Thursday! I know I don't usually post on Thursdays, but I filmed a video yesterday and thought, "why not just post it tomorrow?!" so here it is! It is my favorites for the month of November, and its a little bit ramble-y, so be warned. Also, I was still a tad nervous in front of the camera, but I think its only a little bit noticeable (I hope...). I had fun doing it, even though I look a tad serious in a few parts! Let me know if you like videos every now and then!


What were your favorites for the month of November?

Christmas 2015 Wish List

Happy December! I know its the second day of it now, but since I didn't have a post yesterday, I still wanted to say it! I always try to make December first extra Christmassy to kick off the whole month, so last night my roommate and I watched Love Actually with Christmas lights and a pine-scented candle.

Kicking off December with Love Actually, a Christmas candle, and pretty lights. Plus some cookie dough but it didn't fit in the picture...🎄🎁🎅🏻⛄️ #myholidayspark #hellodecember #holidaycheer

A photo posted by Meghan Farrell (@mfarrelll14) on Dec 1, 2015 at 4:23pm PST

We thought we deserved a chill night since we spent most of the day studying and working on our online classes (while listening to Christmas music, of course!) Since I am now fully in the Christmas spirit, I thought I would share what I am wishing for this Christmas.

Here are the items in the picture (working from left to right-ish): 

Old Navy Classic Plaid Flannel Shirt

Sorel 'Joan of Arctic' Boots in Tobacco/Sudan Brown

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Crossbody Bag in Black

Old Navy Cozy Socks

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Soma Luxe Marble Long Robe in Ivory

Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace

Santa, if you're reading, I have been really good this year!

Too soon?! via

What do you have on your Christmas list?

Linking up here today! 

*This post contains affiliate links*

Everyday Makeup Routine | Video

Guys, I did it! Although it took a long time to film and edit, and a few years of working up the courage too...I finally hit publish on a YouTube video! It is my everyday makeup routine and I actually had a lot of fun filming it (once I got through the nerves). It is a little embarrassing to watch back for me, because I use a lot of poor transitions ("and then, and then, and then, and then!") and I make a lot of weird faces. Its a little long as well, but I tried to cut out as much as I could and still have it be a smooth video. I hope you enjoy it!


Here are some of the products I mentioned in the video:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in Ivory
NYX HD Concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Soft Brown
Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette
Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
NYC Matte Bronzer in Sunny
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Wild Rose
MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

Let me know what you think!

*This post does contain affiliate links*

Weekend of Pamper

Hello friends, and happy November! I hope you all had a super fun (and safe!) Halloween weekend. I had planned to take it super easy this weekend because I had a hectic weekend last week and i'm about to have another busy (but fun!) weekend coming up. My introverted self can't handle so many busy weekends in a row, so I have to plan chill-out time or else I get too anxious and weird. Hence why this weekend may seem blah to you, but it was great for me!

Friday
Since all of my "normal" classes are online and when I actually go to class, its clinical at the hospital, I spend a lot of time at my computer getting work done. Friday was no exception to this! I crossed a few things off my to-do list, but most importantly, I figured out a new television show to indulge in. I started Nurse Jackie on Showtime, have any of you seen it? I haven't been big into medical shows, other than Grey's Anatomy, maybe because I now know how unrealistic those shows are. But I thought I would try one out anyway.  I am a few episodes in, and so far its funny but I haven't really felt "the hook" yet...aka the need to be watching every spare second of my day.
Anyways, I finished off Friday with Mexican food with my roommate and watching Hocus Pocus! Also, right before I went to bed, I threw on a mask (as promised from Friday's post) to help absorb oils from my super greasy skin. I went with Mario Badescu Silver Power, which really helps to make my skin less oily and keep it feeling fresh for the next day.

Saturday
I had a lazy morning, which I justified as Saturday was "a holiday". I trimmed and tweezed my sorry looking eyebrows, and then questioned myself on shouldn't just drop of out college now and become an eyebrow stylist because I just had so much fun cleaning up mine. Is that weird? Probably.
Later, I headed to Ulta to pick out a new facial cleanser, and since I can't leave Ulta with just one thing, I ended up with a new foundation too. Next, I went to Plato's closet to look for jeans that don't get saggy a few hours into wearing them. I have jeans that fit great in the first 15 minutes out of the dryer, but loosen up so much! I tried on a few pairs, but just had no luck. Do you have any suggestions on what brands/fabric blends/tips for finding jeans that don't get saggy? Please let me know!
Once home, I spent the rest of the day watching scary Halloween movies (Sleepy Hollow, The Sixth Sense, and House on Haunted Hill!) and treated myself to a cookie in a mug, which I am thinking of sharing the recipe for later in the week!

Sunday
So yesterday, I maybe, kinda, sorta filmed an everyday makeup routine video that I might edit and upload to YouTube. I have wanted to start making videos for a few years now but just never could work up the courage to actually sit down and do it. You can definitely tell in the first minute or two of the video that I am super nervous, but afterwards I relax and it actually was a lot more fun than I ever realized it could be! It sounds silly because I am just by myself putting makeup on in my room so why be nervous? The camera was really intimidating at first, but then I just told myself to pretend that it was a friend in front of me instead and it got a heck of a lot easier. So maybe I'll just need another couple of years to work up the courage to actually upload it? I don't know!
Other than the video and classwork, I tried out my new facial cleanser, which I already know I am going to love. I wanted a product with glycolic acid in it for a bit of chemical exfoliation, so I went with the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. When I first used it, I half expected my skin to just slough off like a snake because of the glycolic acid (ew, sorry if that is a gross mental image), but it just made my skin feel less oily and less like there was a build up of dead skin cells. I know it'll definitely take a few more weeks of use to get its full benefit and I will let you know how it ultimately works!

Monday Motivation

I have a busy week coming up and just wanted to give myself some motivation that I could carry with me today (and basically the rest of time!). Thought I would share it with you all, as well! I hope you have a great Monday!

*This post does contain affiliate links

TGIF & Talking About TGIT!

Happy Friday people! I hope you had a great week and have fun plans for this weekend. I have clinical tonight, a CPR class tomorrow morning, and most importantly, a downtown beer fest tomorrow afternoon. I am bummed about the rain that is supposed to happen, but at least the weather will be cool enough for me to get my fall style on! What are your plans for this weekend?

Now lets talk about somethings from this week...

1) TGIT
First, can I just say that this was such an exciting week for television? At the beginning of the week, we had the Emmy Awards and then there have been so many season premieres since then! There has been so much chatter around me at home/school/on the internet about all of the Shonda Rhimes' premieres. However, I am feeling kind of left out that I only watch one out of three Shonda Rhimes' shows. I have been a Grey's Anatomy fan since middle school, but never started watching Scandal or How to Get Away With Murder (*collective gasp from the internet*). I know, I know...I am missing out, right?! After I am finished watching Friday Night Lights, I should probably catch up with Scandal. I have just been hesitant to in the past, because I don't like to watch shows on Netflix where the series isn't finished. Its hard to keep up with TV shows that are premiering new episodes every week! Are you a Scandal or HTGAWM fan? Maybe I could be convinced to put a pause to FNL and pick up one of the two...

2) Amy Schumer's Post Interview at the Emmy Awards
"I think we all know how I am celebrating later..." I know she can be crude, but I think she is just a riot! I love how genuine she seems to be, and is unapologetic for it! It was one of my favorite moments of the Emmys when she and Amy Poehler presented an award together...I wrote about more of my favorite moments of the Emmy Awards earlier in the week so check those out!

3) Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Collab
I found out this week that Gwen Stefani collaborated with Urban Decay on a cosmetics line and I am too excited about it! Gwen Stefani has been one of my idols for such a long time...she is so fierce and just plain cool. I can't think of anyone better for UD to work with to create a line of makeup because Gwen has such a distinct look to her. Bold red lips and sharp, rocker eyes are what I am expecting from this collaboration!

"I've been a fan of Gwen's since we met in the early days of No Doubt and I'm so excited to announce our collaboration! We've created some amazing makeup together and I can't wait to share it with you. #UDxGwen @gwenstefani" - @udwende #Repost

A photo posted by Urban Decay Cosmetics (@urbandecaycosmetics) on Sep 18, 2015 at 12:58pm PDT

4) Mighty Mighty Bosstones Tickets
One of my favorite bands since middle school, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (a mouthful of a name!), is playing in Boston in December & John and I got our tickets yesterday! We went to see them last year at the House of Blues in Boston and had an absolute blast. They are a ska band (basically rock/punk rock with brass instruments thrown in) and I can't wait to dance my butt off this year!

5) Some Pin-spiration...

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I hope you all have a great weekend!

Monthly Favorites | August 2015

I haven't done a monthly favorites post since last OCTOBER! Almost a year...which is crazy because I love reading/watching other people's monthly favorites posts/video. I was super excited to do an August favorites post because I tried out a ton of new products and had a couple new ideas of what categories to include in my post!

Favorite Beauty

I bought these products towards the beginning of the month and they were quickly integrated into my beauty routine! The mascara and the foundation have been used every single day since I have bought them and I am obsessed. Also, I find myself wearing the silver powder as a mask about twice a week! I will probably have a more in depth review of these things coming up as a post later because they are well loved and I want to share!

Favorite Memory

For John's birthday back in June, I bought us tickets to go see the Beach Boys play in downtown Portland on the waterfront! He is in love with the beachy and carefree vibe of their music, and I am in love with all music pre-2005...The concert was amazing and although I was nervous that they wouldn't sound like they used to, since they are getting up there in age, the Beach Boys were awesome performers. They whipped through almost 40 songs and I sang along to so many of them (as did everyone else in the audience!). This is one of my favorite memories of the summer because it was a beautiful night, we were right on the water and we were so happy to be enjoying such a classic American band! 

One of my all time favorite songs from The Beach Boys...they were great performers and are so lucky to have been doing what they love for so many years!

A video posted by Meghan Farrell (@mfarrelll14) on Aug 13, 2015 at 7:49pm PDT

Favorite Place

The beach! Although I didn't get to go as much as I would have liked (thanks to the rain on my off days), the beach was absolutely my happy place for the month of August. Whenever I went, I felt so relaxed and carefree and on those days I felt so much better about everything that was going on. 

Favorite Blogger/Vlogger

Jaclyn Hill videos played on my YouTube app nonstop through the month of August! She is such a talented makeup artist and hilarious as well. She just released a highlighter at Sephora and I just can't even imagine how surreal it must be for her to walk into the store and have her own product there. She is absolutely an inspiration for me because she is so positive with all things in her life and has achieved so much at a young age. 

What were some things you loved in the month of August?

Shopping, Sunless Tanner, and Studying.

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all are recovering well from busy weekends and ready to tackle the week ahead. I had a great Easter weekend and I wanted to share some bits of my weekend with you!

Friday

Headed down the Nelson 151 trail, just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia that is home to a ton of  wineries, cideries and breweries. We went to two wineries, a cidery, and the brewery that makes my favorite local beer! I had too much fun and can't wait to go again to do more tastings!

Saturday

Started off the with a shopping bug and an email from Old Navy that dresses were $10 so I headed over there to check it out. I tried on a ton of dresses but found that none of them fit comfortable or looked right so I settled for buying a black tank that will be perfect for summer nights. Then, I went to Target and got myself lost in the beauty aisle looking for some new products! I ended up with two nail polishes, an eye liner and some sunless tanner. Then spent the rest of the day catching up on work and watching movies! Netflix picks to be coming soon!

Sunday/Monday
Woke up and realized that I did not apply the tanner right thus I looked like tiger because I had so many stripes on me. It didn't much matter though because I spent both Sunday and Monday in the library studying for a critical care test that I took this morning. Although, I did make sure to wear long sleeves and long pants because the tan stripes with that bad...

What did you do this weekend?

Angels on Bare Skin | Lush

I present to you, Angels On Bare Skin, my favorite, new skincare product! I recieved a Lush giftcard for Christmas and so stopped in to our local Lush, with the thought that I would be finding a new face cleanser. I felt like the cleanser I had been using for years wasn't cutting it because it's really meant to remove makeup and not do much else. I have written about my finicky skin before and over finals/beginning of winter break my breakouts were just out of control.  

I had actually never been to Lush before, but knew of its "all-fresh" skincare/makeup concept through reading about it online. When I walked in, I must have had an overwhelmed puppy dog look on my face because I was quickly scooped up by a sales associate who flooded me with questions about what I was looking for. After explaining that I was in the market for a new cleanser and explained what kind of skin I have, they sat me down and showed me AOBS. I instantly fell in love with it when they demonstrated on the back of my hand how it is used!

(With a few drops of warm water added)

I usually use it in the shower, when my pores are open from the hot water. I just take a small amount (they suggested a pea-size, and I didn't believe that at first...but its really all you need) and add a bit of water to it so it spreads across my face easier. I just massage it on for 1-2 minutes and then just rinse it off. If I could send scents through these blog, I totally would for this cleanser/scrub because its such an invigorating scent! You can definitely smell the lavender, with hints of a woody-ness I would say. It is definitely a stronger smell, but one that wakes me up while also relaxing me at the same time. 

 (Yikes, bare-faced on the internet!)

It is made from ground almonds and lavender (among other ingredients) so its a gentle scrub that takes off dead skin without causing dryness for me. This was interesting because I used to use facial scrubs with harsh beads that I thought were really taking off dead skin...who knew something more subtle would do the trick?! Every time I use it, my face feels as soft as velvet! 

I have been using it for about 6 weeks now, and I feel so much more confident about my skin. I only ever have breakouts now if I don't wash my face thoroughly with this and my skin just looks more healthy! I highly suggest this product to those of you with combination skin who just can't escape the sometimes oily/ sometimes peeling dry cycle! It has become a part of my everyday skincare routine.

Let me know if you use it already or if you try it!

I received no compensation or anything for this review...just obsessed with this product and wanted to shout about it from the mountains!

2015 Birthday Wishlist!

Its coming up on my second favorite time of the year...MY BIRTHDAY! (If you're curious, my first favorite time of the year is December, for obvious reasons.) I am turning the big 2-2 and I think I am excited about it? A lot of my friends who have turned 22 have groaned and griped about it because all the excitement of being 21 is gone. For some reason being 22 just sounds a heck of a lot older and a bit scarier because I will enter the "real world" as a 22 year old next January. However I have to say that the best thing about turning 22 is that I am eligible for a new driver's license so I no longer have to show my 16 year-old-excited-to-have-passed-her-drivers-test-but-sweaty-from-being-so-nervous-self around at bars anymore and have the servers/bartenders say "aww, you're just a baby!"

via

But turning 21 last year was great because 21, duh. I didn't want a wild 21st birthday like some people do so John just took me out for nice dinner as my birthday is actually on Valentines Day! This year I am still concocting a plan of what to do to celebrate because my birthday falls on a Saturday. I was thinking since this is my first year living in an apartment, that I might have a party on the night before, and then a small dinner on my actual birthday? I have always been one to extend the birthday celebration as long I could...

Since my birthday is two weeks away from tomorrow, I thought I would share a few gifts I had my eye on! 

1. Love Tanya by Tanya Burr & Girl Online by Zoe Sugg // I love watching YouTube and especially Tanya and Zoe's videos because of their awesome beauty tips and product reviews so I want to check out their books!

2. Old Navy Cozy Socks // I got a pair of these for Christmas (with cats on them!) and they are the most comfortable socks! They are so fuzzy and warm...I would love a pair for every day of the week!

3. Tanya Burr Lip Glosses // I would love these colors the most, from left to right they are Chic, Let's Travel the World, and Afternoon Tea! I have read so many good review on these lip glosses and would love to be able to try them!

4. Sephora and Express Giftcards // I love gift cards because its like being handed an hour and someone saying "go shop". Its the gift of an afternoon to just relax and pick out some awesome clothes or beauty products!

5. Plaid Blanket Scarf from Target // I have been dying to get my hands on one of these before it becomes Spring and too late to wear one!

6. Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham & Bossypants by Tina Fey // Both of these ladies are so successful and creative with what they do. They are definitely women I look up to, so I would love to read these books.

Monthly Favorites | October 2014

Whoops, sorry for this being a little late into the month but between the puppy farm post and the Halloween recap post, I thought this one could wait a bit! The month of October was a very exciting, but stressful month for me! #Blogtober14 was a blast, but trying to stay on top of the prompts was hard. But 24 out of 31 isn't bad! Schoolwork has been through the roof, and with finals approaching in a few weeks there is no slowing down (#nursingstudentproblems).
October was also a great month because I saw my family, my best friend, and John! My November schedule is looking to be even more exciting as I have two weekend trips this month, and obviously I am looking forward to a much needed Thanksgiving break. As I a writing this, I am realizing that I won't spend a single weekend in my apartment at JMU in November...guess that means I don't have to clean it! Enough rambling and onto things I have been loving in October!

Beauty

My oily skin is the one thing that I really can't stand about my body...not that I have a great body, but I just try to be confident about myself and not tear myself down with mean comments. However, oily skin deserves all the mean comments. I hate coming home at the end of the day and looking like I have just stepped out of a rain storm (gross and exaggerated but still). I am always looking for powders to control the oil, and this Rimmel Stay Matte translucent powder has helped a bit. I am not sure if I am noticing a difference because I really just want it to work or if it is actually keeping my skin from being Niagara Falls. I apply it with a fluffy powder brush after putting on foundation (or just on its own if not wearing foundation!) and I try to just press it onto my skin. The best thing about it is that it was only $4 from Target so even if it helps a little, its worth it. 

Two beauty favorites this month?? How exciting. As I have written about before, I love Revlon lipsticks. I don't think I can leave a drugstore without one in hand...Lately I have been on the hunt for Revlon's "Black Cherry" lipstick and it is sold out in every store I have tried (I guess its the world telling me I don't need autumnal lips??). So I guess I will just wear "Love That Pink" until I track it down. I find the name of this shade to be quite deceiving because I think it is more of a reddish shade than a pink shade, but no matter what you call it, it is a beautiful color. What I love most about this product is how long it lasts. I put it on around 11am Saturday morning to tailgate, and was still getting compliments on it at 4pm...this doesn't seem like it would be a long time but it still looked freshly applied, which I think is impressive! 

Food

I think the my favorite food for October goes without saying...I still have a lot of candy left so please come and eat it so I won't be forced to. 

Activity

Although this is an odd category, I started it last month in my favorites post and will continue it because I think its fun! An activity that I have really gotten into is making a cup of herbal tea before I go to bed at night and just letting myself wind down while watching Netflix/Youtube or reading your blogs. I never used to be an herbal tea girl...I was strictly an English Breakfast tea drinker in the afternoon, but now I love chamomile and lemon teas at nighttime. I find that it is a great way to relax and it helps to not go from homework mode straight to bed, as this makes me feel like I have no life. Does anyone else do this? 

What are some of your favorites this month?

P.S. Please help me figure out better photography skills...I really try and I don't love the way the pictures come out. Leave links with posts you've written about photography/posts others have written that you found helpful! Or leave tips! Thank you!

Two products that always found in my purse!

I am so excited about today's prompt! I love makeup...every aspect. Buying it. Using it. Talking about it. Recommending it. I really couldn't decide (shocker, I know!) between two different products, so here are the two products that will always be found in my makeup bag!

The first is the Maybelline Colossal Volum Express Mascara! There are a few in this "Colassal Volum" line, and my favorite is the Cat Eyes...mostly because the tube has a leopard print on it and I just love cats. This is absolutely my go-to makeup product every day. If I had to pick one beauty product to wear, it would be this one! 

Here is a before/after pic of using the mascara! Please excuse the poor lighting and my lack of expertise in photography...I am trying to get better but without studio lights and a DSLR, there is only so much a girl can do!

As you can see, I am someone that likes the spider-y last look! If you don't, I would recommend other "Colassal Volum" mascaras other than the Cat Eyes one! I have used the original one and it gives a much more subtle look. 

The second product is Chapstick-brand chapstick. For me, its a toss up between the original (blue tubes) and classic kind (black tubes). I have a stash of these in my backpack/purses/wallets and car. I need to be near a Chapstick tube, because I cannot stand the sensation of my lips being the slightest bit dry. I read once that there are properties in all types of chapsticks/lip balms that actually dry your lips out...but I guess I don't really care anymore because I am definitely addicted to use it! 

What are your favorite beauty products?

Monthly Favorites | July 2014

July was such a good mont! A little bit of travel here and there, and lots of days at the beach! Lets get on with my favorites for this month!

Beauty

In my post I wrote a few weeks ago about a new blush, I mentioned one of my favorite stores: The Company Cosmetic Store. Click here to read about it! My latest trip to the store resulted this foundation coming home with me. As someone with combination/oily skin and fairly consistent acne, I picked up this Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation in 02 Fresh Ivory. I am horrible at in store color matching and I was nervous that this shade would be too light for the little tan I have going on right now. Fortunately I was wrong and this shade blends in well! It has a consistency that is a bit thin so it runs down my face, thus having to move fast when blending. Aside from that, it is really a great product that helps control the oily-ness of my skin and is long lasting on the skin!

This lip liner is a pass over from my mom, who thought the color was a little too bright for her! It is a NYX Waterproof Lip Liner in Plum. I love this liner color so much that I use it for more than a liner...I usually load some chapstick on, then put this liner on over it. The mix of the two turns them into a lipstick consistency! The only thing I don't like about this liner is that I definitely do not find it to be waterproof, and it doesn't last that long. 

Book

A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve has been my go to beach book grab for the past few weeks! Its a story about high school friends that are reunited for a weekend to celebrate the wedding of a pair within the group. Without giving away too much, there is romance, tension, and some drama! What I like most about the book is that it is told from multiple character's points of view. I know I have more books by Anita Shreve around the house, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her writing!

Food

Grapefruit! I haven't been able to get enough of it this summer. I know its counterproductive, but sometimes I even put a little sugar on top to make the sourness a bit sweeter! As a side note, while searching for a picture of grapefruit on Google, I found that the Body Shop has a grapefruit scented body butter...I need that!

What are you loving this month? 

Five Favorites for Friday!

I hope you all are having/had the best friday and you are reading this with a cat curled up next to you with a hot cup of tea... is that everyone's dream or just mine? Continuing on, today's post is five favorites so lets get on with it!

1. My new MAC blush
Soooo 20 minutes up the road from me is a magical town called Freeport that is filled with outlet stores and among them is one of my favorites AKA The Company Cosmetics Store. They sell discontinued, special edition, or overstocked products from awesome cosmetics brans like Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, MAC, and Clinique..for a discount! I was there over the weekend a picked up a few things, one of them being a MAC blush, Azalea in the Afternoon. I had been wearing two blushes this summer because I liked the rich color of one and the shimmer of the other...but with this new blush, it has the perfect color and shimmer!

2. My fedora

Now this isn't any old off the shelf fedora bought from any old store. John bought this fedora as a gift for me while he was in New Orleans at the beginning at the summer (he bought one for himself so we could match)! I love throwing it on with any casual clothing because I think it gives the outfit more personality. Its the perfect summer accessory!

3. Hannah Maggs
I know I have written about it before, but I am an avid YouTube watcher (secretly, I would love to have my own channel but I am just not there yet!). One of my favorite YouTube channels lately has been Hannah Maggs: a little beauty blog. She and her husband upload their weekly vlog every sunday, and it is filled with their adventures of the week! They are the cutest couple, but more importlantly they have the most precious baby boy! So if you are interested in babies or beauty...this channel is for you!

Taken from her Instagram!

4. Trader Joe's Pomegranate White Tea
I don't know what else to say about this except that it is delicious and it is a beautiful shade of fuchsia. Don't believe me? LOOK AT IT!

5.  Blogging
I know I am not far along on my quest to blog for the rest of the month but I am glad that I am in the swing of things again! Thank you for reading...I would still be writing whether or not people were reading, but its so encouraging to get good feedback!

What are some of your favorites?