{25 before 25}

After Reading Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, I've been inspired to do my own. Her whole story did not focus on her unhappiness, but how she actively worked to make herself (and her family) happier.  The book made me realize that I really am the only one who can make myself happy. And while I don't think I'm generally unhappy, I am always looking towards the future, what will make me happy then? What career? What city? a husband? kids? a puppy? But I don't want any of those things right now. I need to live more in the moment. Do things that make me happy today, just because I can. I really think even small steps towards happiness will make a huge difference in my life. Gretchen focused on a different aspect of her life each month, but I've decided to do mine in the form of a 25 before 25 project. As I write this I have approximately 10 months before I hit the big quarter century. These are some of the things that I hope to cross off the list before then.

1. find a job that makes me happy.
2. clear out my closets
3. learn how to sew
4. read 25 books
5. take time for projects
6. work to make new friends
7. show up for the ones I have
8. do a spending freeze for a month
9. practice meditation/yoga
10. do something unexpected
11. go to new york
12. fill my walls with art that i love
13. save money
14. focus on fitness
15. get enough sleep
16. take the LSAT
17. host a themed dinner party
18. volunteer
19. treat myself, because I'm worth it
20. upgrade the camera
21. make 25 things found on pinterest and blog about it.
22. practice making fun cocktails
23. do a 5k
24. take a cooking class
25. Blog every day for a month
26. commit to continuing these goals once 25 comes and goes


My deadline is April 24, 2013. Wish me luck. I've also created a new page here so you can keep track of my progress through out this next year.

Do you have any kind of happiness project? or a 25 before 25? 30 before 30? I'd love to hear about it!

Girls Night Out

It's been almost two weeks now, but I still need to update you on the fabulous event I went to in NoVa a few weeks ago. It was the "Girls Night Out" fashion event hosted by Northern Virginia Magazine. They had giveaways, swag bags, and a fashion show. I had my make up done at the Smashbox counter at Nordstrom. I picked up a BUNCH of samples and I want to tell you about my favorites.

not the greatest pictures ever, but hey, not too bad for an iphone right? The hair and make up was great, and all done by the W Salon! I'm definitely going to check them out.

I went to Aveda for a hair consultation and picked up some large samples.  I'm loving:

damage remedy shampoo

color conserve conditioner 

color conserve leave in

 Then I hit up bareMinerals for a free make under (which I rescheduled) and a sample. I was SHOCKED when the girl color matched me to be a MEDIUM. WHAT? ME? Medium? I'm like beyond fair. Thank you sunless tanner, you are making me feel like a real person.

I also did some shopping, The Limited was having an AWESOME sale, on top of a discount from that night. So I picked up a new pencil skirt which I LOVE and a cute color blocked sweater. I'm dying to go back after these white jeans though

all in all a very successful evening. 

{Beauty Tuesdays} Juice Beauty Peel

Happy Tuesday everyone! I'm sorry if the blog has looked a mess the last few days. I've been debating if I should get a new layout, social media buttons, etc. I pulled this together myself, and have been playing with photo shop a ton. What do you think? I'm pretty happy with it, but I may still make a few adjustments over the next few days.

Anyways, it's been a while since I did a beauty Tuesday, but I've been trying a few new products lately and I am beyond excited to tell you about this one. I have been on and off trolling birchbox for a peel to help get off some of that dry skin that you build up over time. I talked about my full skin regimen here but I've added the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive  and it has made such a difference.

 I've been using it for 3 weeks, 3x a week and can tell such a difference already. My skin is smoother, pores are smaller, and my skin seems to soak up my moisturizer a bit more.

It's all natural and organic, made of apples, grapes, lemon, aloe and algae. It smells like unsweetened apple sauce (which is a bit odd). There is some raw sugarcane which helps to exfoliate, but its not rough at all.

On a clean face, rub on a generous amount being careful to avoid the eye area. It will tingle a bit when you first put it on, but nothing that's uncomfortable.  Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off. It's as easy as that.

I know it's kind of expensive, but compared to a real chemical peel it's about 1/3 of the price. I really think this will keep you out of the dermatologist's office and your skin looking great.

As always, if you have any suggestions or if you use other juice beauty products I'd love to hear about it!

Have a lovely Tuesdays!!!

Monday Monday

Oh how I wish it was a three day weekend again. Two days off is never enough. This was a pretty perfect weekend though. Friday night was filled with champagne, lots of rain, and my couch. I love just lying on the couch with a blanket in the rain. And champagne makes it significantly better. There is just something so fun about all those sparkly bubbles. 

Saturday was filled with cleaning, reorganizing, and getting rid of some of the crap around our house. I re-tackled this project. I'd been lusting over this look on pinterest for a while now, and I have to sat I love it! BUT it is beyond time consuming, and you can literally play with it for hours. So fun though right?

Saturday night was another epic one. We went to a costume birthday party for the lovely katie. In desperate need of a costume I decided to raid my closet and found my trusty leopard bra and leopard pencil skirt. I love some big hair and make up too, and I've been dying to use these eye rock stickers I got in my birchbox a few months ago. I give you my attempt at being a jersey shore girl.

I know. I can't believe I'm putting this on my blog. 

Also, how have I never used lip liner before? It makes a world of difference!!!

KJ and I had a little too much fun with our glow sticks. 

 bathroom pictures. I had to share.

I was in fine form, let me tell you. My head is still aching. 

BUT the story gets better. We arrive home at 2:30 or so, only to decide we need a frosty (it's really dangerous living 2 blocks from Wendy's) so we go. and we lock ourselves out. and it's 3 in the morning. I tried to break in, but after the wonderful birthday, our house is very secure. dang it. 

So we trek up to KJ's family's house in friendship heights. Fighting AdMo traffic all the way. Called the locksmith in the morning. $89 later that was the most expensive Wendy's trip ever. AND wouldn't you know I didn't even drink my stupid frosty.

Sunday was filled with hangovers, running errands and Blogger Blitz DC organized by the lovely {av}! Y'all I had such a great time! It was so nice to finally meet all these ladies who I've been stalking. I hit it off with several of the girls (no shock there though, I love their blogs so of course I'd love them in real life). 

Happy Monday!