Workout Playlist (requested!)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Today I come to you bearing a very special post!

Okay, just kidding.

I am actually so so happy to be writing this right now, because this post is a very special request from a very special reader and friend of mine. So, here is my workout playlist ;)

Some of these songs are old, some are new, some are more upbeat, some are slower - but I still love  working out to these songs! I made this playlist probably a week or two ago, so it's still pretty fresh...I'll probably be making a new one pretty soon though - I get bored of the same songs over and over very easily. Not much more I can say about this...enjoy! ;)

Might be making an updated workout schedule soon!

Thanks so much for the request! Keep 'em coming ;)

xoxo,
Liz

Holiday Gift Guide: Best Friend ($20-$50)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, falalalalaaaaalalalalaaaaaa

Sorry I'm not sorry :P

Okay, as you may or may not be able to tell, I'm pretty hyper now and that is because I stayed at home sick today and didn't go to school... I got, like 20 hours of sleep in the past 24 hours and I am proud to say that I definitely caught up on my beauty sleep ;) Anyways, I was super-duper bored today and I just felt so...alone. No, not alone, I don't even know the right word for what I feel, but what I do know is that I don't like it. I am definitely going to school tomorrow, because I do not want to experience this all over again :P Yeah, so I'm pretty darn hyper to say the least and I just decided to type up a bunch of posts while I have some spare time on my hands.

Oh, and this post is queued, by the way, so what I'm saying now won't really apply when this is posted, but oh well :)

Moving on to the actual post.

Makeup Set: This is for the "beauty guru" - if she loves makeup - or, actually, if she wants to get in to makeup, too - this is the gift for her. If you want to get your friend a makeup set (or any set) - this is the time to get it. The holiday season is the best season to shop for value gift sets - this set is only $24, but if you were to buy each lip glaze separately it would cost you over $100!

Portable iPhone Charger: I really want to get one of these from J.Crew (take hints, Santa) - they come in so many cute colors and patterns! If you are an iPhone owner, like moi, then you most likely know what it feels like when you've been Instagramming since you woke up and now when you need your phone...it's uncharged. And that is literally how I feel 90% of the week. My iPhone is always uncharged and it just gets so annoying! All you need to do with this Santa's helper is simply plug him into your iPhone's butt and TADAM - you're iPhone is charging ;) So if your friend has an iPhone - definitely get her this (and grab yourself one too ;) )

Bauble: First of all, if you do not yet know about this website and you like jewelry - you haven't lived. Okay, just putting it out there - the website is BaubleBar - and it is UHMAYZING. You'll get addicted. You're welcome. Now, I think on Christmas (or any holiday...or birthday...or whatever) when you give gifts you want to give them something that they wouldn't necessarily get for themselves, but they would like. Does that make sense? Like, I wouldn't buy myself Chanel earrings, but I would very much like to get them as a present, 'cause I won't be able to buy myself a pair for at least 10 years (haha :P). So if someone gives me a pair of Chanel earrings for Christmas I'll die. And if you give your friend a gorgeous necklace like this - she'll die too ;)

Monogrammed Necklace: Now, I know, I know, this is another necklace, but this one really applies to anything. ... What I mean is, you can monogram - or "personalize" - nearly anything (just google it!) and the price for monogrammed things can range anywhere from a couple of dollars (car or computer decals) to hundreds of dollars (a nice gold necklace and chain)! And even if the gift is as simple as a decal for a phone or something - it still shows that you put some thought into it and took your time to get the person something - not just a wad of cash!

Cute PJs: Everyone loves cute PJs. Especially if they're from J.Crew. I mean, ones from Target will do, too, but c'mon. If I wanted some cute pajamas from Target - I'd just go out and buy them. But J.Crew ones are better quality, more expensive, and to me, it just feels more personal when someone gives you something more expensive :P

Yeah, that's pretty much it <3 Just a little left until Christmas ;)

xoxo,
Liz

P.S. Oh, and of course, they're always gift cards - and, honestly, I think these are one of the best presents ever! Everyone loves them - believe me.

Quick Tip: Smooth Legs

Hey! Okay this is going to be a really quick tip, because I'm super late for a haircut now, but I just couldn't leave you guys without at least a little post ;)

Okay so this tip is super easy and simple, but believe me, you'll thank me forever ;)

So the tip is...when you shave your legs, instead of shaving cream - use conditioner. Yes, hair conditioner. Believe me, your legs will just feel so so so much softer and moisturized! Anyways, all you want to do is just put it on your legs as you would your shaving cream, shave, and then rinse. Not wash - rinse your legs off. When you get out of the shower you can get the leftover conditioner off by just rubbing it with your towel, or if your legs are really dry - you can just pat it off with the towel.

Anyways, I'm sorry this post was so short, but hey, at least it's something :)

xoxo,
Liz

Sugar Frosting Recipe

Hey there lovelies! Happy Sunday! I hope your weekend went well so far! Mine was pretty good – didn’t have much homework or studying to do, so I focused on working out and horseback riding, took a long walk, went to church, and now I’m just kind of chilling in the city. Might go out for a Starbucks and a little walk in the park later ;)This weekend, since I had some spare time on my hands, I decided to experiment with some baking and made some fudge, granola (make it every week), Blogilates easy healthy cookies (recipe here), and finally…I came up with a healthy snack bar recipe!!! They turned out so yummy (not that I tried them, ‘cause I can’t eat eggs)! Will definitely be making these more often! Anyways, I also made gingerbread men and I decided to experiment with some frosting to decorate them, since I...I just felt like it, okay??? :PAnyways, I came up with this super duper easy peasy yummylicious cookie/anything else you want frosting! Enjoy ;)

Ingridients:

• 1 cup confectioner's sugar

• 1/8 cup butter/shortening

• 2-3 tablespoons milk

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• food coloring (optional)

Directions:In a bowl, cream together sugar and butter until the consistency is smooth. Slowly mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until everything is well-blended. Add food coloring if desired. Oh, and this frosts about 10 cookies by the way, so you might want to double or triple or even QUADRUPLE the recipe if you want ;)xoxo,Liz

November 2012 Favorites

Aloha!

Speaking of aloha, I so want to go to Hawaii right now!!! I'm finally getting a visible pack, but it's winter :( But, I mean, I'm going to India in the spring...does that count? :P

Moving on.

As you can probably tell - I am quite hyper. And that is because I just had a coffee because I was tired and I thought I was going to workout...but I decided to workout later and I'm sitting in an office chair now (about to fly out of the window from over-hyperness). Anyway, this month...I wouldn't say I had a lot of beauty favorites, but I sure did have some random favorites!

Lancôme "Bronze Cocoa" Juicy Tube I've been obsessed with this lip gloss for the past couple of weeks! My Mom gave it to me, because she got it in a set and didn't want the lipgloss...and, to be honest, at first I was very turned off by the color. I mean, brown??? Really? That's, like, old lady lip color. Well, at least that's what I think. But, oh my gosh, when I finally decided to go cray cray and put this sucker on ma luscious lips - I fell in love. It smells exactly like chocolate (and tastes like chocolate, too!) and the color isn't that bad - it doesn't really add that much color, just enhances your natural lip color :)

Revlon "Grow Luscious" mascara I bought this one a while ago and just recently started using it, and let me tell you - it has become one of my favorites very quickly. It gives you volume, length, and curl - what more to ask? The only complaint that I have is that it smudges very easily/the staying power is not that strong... But I don't really care about that, so...works for me!

MAC #20 false eyelashes Since I've been doing the play in the month of November (it went very well if any of you were wondering!) - I had to wear some of them false eyelashes. And these were so cool!!! They made me look like a cat, haha :P But yeah, definitely recommend MAC falsies - they're amazing!

"Home" by Phillip Phillips Moving on to my music favorites. And yes, I know this one came out in like, July of this year or something, but I've just started listening to it again and I re-fell in love! And although my music taste might seem a little...weird...I find that I just love these kind of laid-back, chill songs. I just love this <3

"All of the Lights" by Kanye West (feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi) I don't know why, but I've just been listening to older songs this month! And a lot of Kanye. A lot. I just love the beat of this, the lyrics, and Rihanna's part is to die for! Not much more I can say!

"Ni**as in Paris" by Kanye West & Jay-Z I know. Another Kanye song. But, come on, don't tell me you weren't absolutely obsessed with this last spring/summer. Because I was! And after recent sleepless nights and revisions of my iTunes library - I've re-discovered some old favorites - this being one of them.

"Take Me Home" album by One Direction Do I even have to include this in my favorites? OF COURSE this is one of my music favorites for the month!!! I absolutely love this album, but I am so bummed about Haylor :( Oh well, anyways, some of my favorite songs from the album are "C'mon, C'mon", "Rock Me", "I Would", "Loved You First", and "Still the One".

The Hunger Games This book just brings back so many pleasant memories, so I decided to start reading the series again! I'm almost through the first book, so I'm excited to start reading "Catching Fire"! Actually, I started reading the "Hunger Games" at exactly this time last year, so it just feels so comforting and familiar re-reading this series ^.^

xoxo,
Liz

Ten Tips: Save and Manage Time

I'm not sure if I've done a post like this before or not, but, you know - you can never talk too much about organization ;) I am actually saving and managing my time now, because I'm writing this today (Monday), but I'll schedule to post this on Wednesday to save time! Does this count as a tip?.. Well, not if you have a blog I guess -.-

Okay, on to the tips.

1) Think Ahead I know this is a broad statement, but please do think ahead. Wether it's planning an outfit for the next day or thinking about a test that you know is coming up - think ahead. Use your brain. If you think about things before they actually happen you can save yourself so much time and your nerves too! I know, I know, "live in the moment" and all that jazz - but you've gotta have your boundaries. Living in the moment doesn't mean ignoring the events that are coming up and not caring about them - it just means that you need to exist in the moment and not wander off (in your head, of course). I like to plan ahead in the shower - helps me think :)

2) DO NOT wander off to tumblr/any social media in class This is my number one rule...which I hardly ever follow. And I feel so horrible about it! For a month or two when the school year started - I actually did follow this, but recently I've just been way too bored/distracted/tired to listen or do anything in class, so I just go on tumblr. And it's been killing me. Because after class I always have some kind of questions and then it turns out that the teacher already explained it. Rude. Disrespectful. And you do not benefit from tumblr... Well, not in class, at least.

3) Do not procrastinate This is so incredibly hard, believe me, but once you've figured it out/found a method that works for you - it is so easy (it just becomes a habit!). To be honest, I kind of am procrastinating now, but not really, because I'm still doing something useful. So, yes. Don't procrastinate, kids ;)

4) Check social media/e-mail on the way home Okay, if you're the driver - this will obviously not work for you, but I'm pretty sure most of you guys can't drive yet, so this won't really bother you. Anyways, I always check Instagram/Facebook/e-mail/tumblr on the way to and from school - it just kills time and saves time too!

5) The 20/10 rule Most of you (or maybe all of you) are probably thinking: "what the heck", but once I explain this you guys will be thankful forever. The 20/10 rule is basically made for when you're studying at home (or in school...just not during class) - it is when you study non-stop for 20 minutes, and then take a 10 minute break. During the 10 minute break you can do whatever - Facebook, YouTube, quick workout (I LOVE the Blogilates challenges for this!), potty break - whatever! Helps you concentrate, but you're not exactly wasting your time doing random stuff either ;)

6) "Self-control" This app is AMAZING for managing your time and controlling your internet cravings...while you're studying. What this app does, is you basically enter a "blacklist" of websites that you do not want to visit while studying/doing schoolwork and set a timer for whatever time...and "self-control" blocks you from visiting those sites. It is UH-MAY-ZING!!! Helps me so much!

7) Put your phone in a different room while working Whether it's schoolwork or any other kind of work - unless you need your phone for that (and Facebook doesn't count as 'that') - PUT IT IN A DIFFERENT ROOM. All dem Instagram notifications and texts won't be bothering you until you're ready to take a break and chat ;)

8) The "magic triangle" This is so true - you'll be surprised by how true this is. And if you haven't heard of this before - then you need to leave your house once in a while and get a life (no offense...I'm just kidding, gawsh). But what it is, is basically 3 things that you can only pick 2 from:

1. Sleep
2. Social Life
3. Studying/Good Grades

And if you can nail all 3 of these down...I don't know what kind of person you are, because no one I've ever met can do this. As you can see - it all matches up: if you want to get more sleep, but also have a life - then you will most likely not have much time to study and focus on schoolwork; if you want to get good grades, but still have some friends (ahah) - then you'll most likely be getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night (story of my life), etc. Just pick two - and prioritize!

9) Use a planner Or at least have a sheet of paper/sticky note where you can write down what you are going to do and when you are going to do it. Example:

     8:30-15:45 - school

     15:45-16:00 - eat

     16:00-16:30 - gym

     16:30-18:00 - car ride home

     18:00-19:00 - study for Math test

     19:00-20:00 - paint nails

     20:00-20:30 - eat

     20:30-21:00 - free time

     21:00-21:45 - read

     21:45 - go to bed

This helps you manage your time and stay on track and focused ;) I keep a daily planner for this, but I guess you could just scribble this down on a sticky note when you get some free time ;)

10) What works best for you Now, this really applies to everything - but I think it just fits the time management aspect perfectly! Do you work best in the middle of the day or at 9 PM? When is it easier for you to concentrate? For me, I feel most motivated to workout at around 6-7 PM, and I like to study at about 4-6 PM or sometimes right before bed. So find out what works best for you and work when you work best!

Hope you guys found this helpful - and look forward to my Saturday post (hint hint *monthly favorites* hint hint)

xoxo,

Liz

'Murica 2012 Shopping List: Makeup and Beauty

I am so incredibly sorry for not blogging this weekend! I've just been really busy doing schoolwork and studying :( But, here I am...yeah. I'm really tired (again) and I feel really bad that I'm posting another one of these "shopping list" posts, but at least it's something, right? ;)

ANYWAYS. This one is regarding makeup and beauty and let me tell you - compared to my Summer shopping list...this is NOTHING. Well, actually, now that I look at it...it's pretty much the same amount of stuff, but this isn't the point, haha :P I have way too much makeup now, so these things are just ones that I use all the time (well, except for the hot rollers or something) and I just needed to restock on some of my favorite beauty items.

1) MAC "Lingering" brow pencil I am currently using my Benefit BrowZing brow kit, but when I go back and forth between my apartment and my house it gets really annoying because I have to take the kit back and forth (I CANNOT go without doing my eyebrows!). Plus, I already used up one of these last year and liked it - so I know that I like this :)

2) Conair Hot Rollers Not sure exactly which ones I want, but I know for sure that I really really want some! My hair is naturally beachy-wavy, but for some reason (I don't know why, maybe because I stated using Moroccan Oil?) recently it's been...almost straight. WHAT. THE. FRIK. I've always had curly hair! And, to be honest, my "straight" hair kind of drives me crazy, because people always tell me I look better with curlier hair (BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULTTTT)! I just want to add some more curl and volume to my hair, so yeah. That's why I want these.

3) Bioderma Cleanser Elle (or AllThatGlitters21 on YouTube) or Ingrid (or missglamorazzi on YouTube) have been raving about this product and how it removes absolutely all of the makeup on yo fayus. So yeah. It also works good on sensitive skin (or at least, people say it does) and I used it at my friend's house once and I also loved it! So, yeah. Must get this.

4) Philosophy "Purity Made Simple" cleanser I have tried so, so many samples of this and I've just never bought it...for some unknown to me reason. But, yes, I am finally buying it ZIS WINTAR. It works amazingly for sensitive and dry skin (like this chica right here has) and I just love it for washing my face in the morning...and I'll use my Bioderma at night :)

5) Butter London Nail Foundation I've read a bunch of reviews on this and people say when you put it on it looks and feels very matte which makes applying nail polish much easier and smoother. And I just ran out of my Essie "Grow Stronger" base coat...so yeah. Another reason to spend an extra $20 -.-

6) Deborah Lippmann "Happy Birthday" nail polish A girl wore this nail polish last February in a choir festival that I went to in Warsaw and I fell in love with this color. It's basically just a bunch of different-colored and different-sized glitter in a translucent base. And I want it. Badly. Really badly.

7) MAC "Blacktrack" Fluidline gel eyeliner I've been trying. And trying. And trying to wind my eyeliner with pencil, marker, and any other kind of eyeliner. And failed miserably. So I finally decided that I need a good ol' MAC gel eyeliner. Works well. Lasts long. Applies easily. SOLD.

Hope ya'll enjoyed! New post coming on Wednesday, I promise!

xoxo,
Liz