Review: Maybelline's Falsies Mascara

Hey there, Pretties!
Today, I am going to do another review. I am so excited about this one. Today, I will be reviewing Maybelline's Falsies Mascara. This is my holy grail mascara. I ONLY use this. I use it everyday, and I can't seem to find another mascara that compares!

If you've seen the commercials, this mascara is supposed to give you that false lash effect that every one seems to lust after. Sounds like a gimmick, right? I mean, a LOT of mascaras promise to make your lashes longer and thicker . Falsies really does accomplish this. I have naturally long, and decently thick lashes, but when I apply Falsies,BOOM! People ask all the time if I am wearing false lashes. It comes in a normal and waterproof formula, and the waterproof formula is not flaky at all. The wand is the real magic worker, here. Its "S" shape really lifts and sculpts your lashes. I could go on and on about this mascara, but you'll really just have to try it to see for yourself. I doubt you'll be disappointed. The price is also appealing. It runs around 5 dollars, and works like a charm. I am in love with this mascara. I have been using it exclusively for about 2 years now, and I have yet to find a mascara that delivers the same results! So if long, false worthy lashes is what you lust for, this is for you!

If you try it, let me know what you think!
X's and O's,
Amanda

Music of the Month: Blood on the Dance Floor

Hello, Hello!
So, to kick off the "Music of the Month" feature, I am going to feature a favorite band of mine: Blood on the Dance Floor. Have you heard of these guys? They have literally taken over my Ipod. I have been such a big fan of theirs for so long.
　
　
Blood on the Dance Floor is, well, a little different. They have pretty much created their own genre. I suppose you could classify it as elecrto/pop/dance/rave/etc music. Alot of their music makes me want to dance. I really respect them, because they say anything. They don't hold back with their music. Alot of their music is really inspirational,too. Their songs carry a message of respect and harmony for all people in the world. Blood on the Dance Floor has become a movement. Their fans are all considered family, and the band stands for "One Love" . Their new album" (R)evolution " come out June 19th, so check it out! I am obsessed with them!
*Note: If you are offended by curse words or explicit material, these guys are probably not for you.

New Things! & Happy, Healthy Skin:)

Hello Lovlies!,
So, I know I haven't updated in 10 days. So sorry! I didn't forget about you guys, but I had alot going on. I did TRY to do an update letting you know what was going on, but my computer wasn't having it. I am having trouble typing updates, so I am using word on my computer now, and copying and pasting. Joy.
Another reason I haven't updated is that I have been super busy with class, the new apartment, and new things for the blog have been in talks. :) I will be introducing a new feature to the blog called "Music of the Month", where I will be talking about bands I am loving, etc. I have upcoming interviews with some artists coming up, so please stay tuned!
Okay, Okay. Now that you're done hearing my excuses(sorry!), I will share with you some tips for better skin. :)

　
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought "What gives? I wash my face daily, remove all my makeup, and use moisturizer. Why is my skin so dull/flaky/broken out? I take care of my skin!" Unfortunately, this is not always enough. There are little things that you maybe don't think about that can be affecting your skin. Here are some tips I swear by for happier skin:
1. Change your pillowcases once weekly. The oil from your hair and other parts of your body rub off on your pillows. When you go to sleep at night, you are essentially your face into a pool of yuck. So, be sure to replace your pillowcase about once a week with a fresh one. Also be sure to remove your makeup and cleasne thouroughly before bed:)
2. Cleanse your face the correct way. #1 Wash or sanitize your hands before cleansing. If you don't, you will just transfer the bacteria from your hands onto your face. #2 thouroughly remove all makeup before cleansing. By doing this, you will allow your cleanser to clean your skin, NOT your makeup.#3 Be sure to choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. #4 cleanse with luke warm water, and wash your skin for at least 45 seconds to a minute, rubbing the product in a circular motion ,then rinsing. If you don't cleanse for long enough, the product won't be getting deep down in the pores.
3. Apply moisturizer within 1 minute of drying your skin. The minute after you dry your skin is the best time to apply moisturizer, because your skin will absorb it better. Again, be sure to choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type.
4. Exfoliate twice weekly. This will allow the dead sluggish skin to be removed, revealing the fresh skin beneath.
5. Hydrate your body. WATER WATER WATER! When you are hydrated, so is your skin. Your skin will look less tired, and less dry by drinking water. It's free, so drink up!! Also, hydrating facial sprays can help keep your skin fresh during the day. I use these alot during winter, when my skin gets flaky.
I wish you all happy, healthy skin!
X's and O's,
Amanda

Updates, My Daily Routine, and Random Stuff

Hey there Lovelies,
It's Monday, wooooo! Today, I am going to be going over some updates about myself, random stuff, and a highly requested topic, my daily routine. Let the fun begin. ;)

So, some quick updates. As many of you know, Andre and I have a little apartment that we have been in the process of re-doing. Our living room is finally empty, and wallpaper is being stripped so that new wallpaper and carpet can be put up! The old wallpaper looks like it may put up a little fight coming down, but we are hoping to finish within the week! We were very productive this weekend- we gutted out our bedroom, organized our entire apartment, scrubbed the bathroom down, and started working in the living room! We are an unstoppable duo ;)

On to random topics. What is everyone doing for Valentine's day? Who is your Valentine this year? Of course, I have my Valentine. We talked about Valentine's Day this past weekend, and we were just like "what should we do!?!?" haha. This is our first Valentine's Day together. Amidst all of the work going on in our household this weekend, my overly creative brain thought of some cool ideas for his present. I will share them with you, because i'm certain he won't see this. ;) Don't tell! For one of his gifts, I have been writing him a love letter everyday in a little notebook that I am going to decorate for him. Chessy, huh? I will also get him some champagne and his favorite candy. But, there's a twist to his gift. In order to get it, he has to go on a scavenger hunt and find it! I have hand-painted some clues( in heart shapes of course) to hide around. Each clue will have a little candy or cupon for back rubs,etc. Hopefully, he won't have too much trouble finding it:)
Okay, so now onto some FAQ on my social sites. Alot of people ask why I do not update on weekends. The reason I do not( or rarely do), is because my schedule is busy. During weekdays, this blog is integrated into my schedule.On the weekends, I have larger home projects to work on, etc. This is also when my boyfriend and his family and I can spend some time together after a week of craziness! Another thing I have been getting alot is requests to do a post on my daily routine. So here you have it:

My day begins at 7 am. This is when I get up for breakfast. I don't technically have to wake up at this time, but I like to have breakfast with my boyfriend before he heads off for class. After breakfast, I answer emails,etc on my social sites from you guys. Then, I update this bad boy! I will usually work out right after I update, then I shower and get ready. When I am finished getting ready, it is usually time for lunch. Lunch is the big meal of the day here in Germany. I will sit and eat with whomever is home. After lunch I study, clean, work on other projects, etc. Mondays and Wednesdays I have German class in the evening. Then I hang with Andre for a little before bed. See guys? I'm not really all that interesting!

I have alot of things I am excited to share with you this week!
X's and O's,
Amanda

Learning, Learning. & Updates!

Hello there ladies and gents,
I wanted to write you a quick post so you can stay updated about what is going on:)

So first off, I had my very first official German class yesterday. I was really nervous about it because I am starting in a semester 3 class, but did not take semesters 1 or 2. After I enrolled in class, I purchased the book and studied for a week. All of that paid off, because I did really well in class, and had done all of the classwork at home already! I am very glad that  I can keep up with the course, and I am defintely staying enrolled! I will have class every Monday and Wednesday evening, so expect some posts about embarrassing mistakes, etc! :)

All around, things are going well. My boyfriend has been applying at some companies to study and work in IT. He has been very stressed out about maybe not being accepted into a program, and having to attend another year of gymnasium before he could do such a program. The schooling system in Germany is changing next year to a point where gymnasium only goes to grade 12. This means that next year, at least double the applications will come pouring into companies because there will be 2 graduating classes from the gymnasiums. My boyfriend has been applying, doing tests and interviews, etc for a few months now. This past Saturday, we recieved a letter from a really good company that he applied at- they offered him a job! He got accepted into a program he really wanted to do, and he will be making good money. I am so happy for him!

Our apartment is also coming together. My boyfriend's brother's room was in our apartment, and  he has been re-doing another room in a different part of the house to move into. His new room is getting the finishing touches tomorrow, and he is moving his things in this weekend. This means that Andre and I get to tear down wall paper, etc for our new living room! Joy, joy, haha. It will be a pain in the butt, but we will have a pretty new living room!

So that is all I have for now as far as updates! I will have a new post either later tonight or tomorrow!
X's and O's,
Amanda

Closet Essential: The LBD

Hey guys,
This is the first of my "Closet Essential" posts. I want to do these to discuss wardrobe basics. I figured the perfect way to start the series was with my personal favorite- The Little Black Dress.

I am sure everyone has heard the phrase " Little Black Dress", but what exactly is a LBD? Some folks think that it is simply a back dress that you own. Any black dress. Any style. To me, a LBD is so much more.

Personally, I think that a LBD is one of the most key pieces in a girls closet. It should fit several requirements: It should fit you like a glove. This dress should not be too tight or too loose anywhere, it should fit you perfectly, and flatter your figure. Secondly, this dress should be able to transform. Of course, the dress should be beautiful on its own. You should be able to wear it alone to a classy event. But this dress should be able to be dressed up or down. While it should look great on it's own, you should be able to take it to over the top with a few key accessories and shoes. You should also be able to wear this dress casually. With the correct shoes and layers, this dress can be an everyday outfit. 

So, how do you find the perfect LBD? First of all, I don't reccomend anything seasonal. I wouldn't choose a dress that was styled only for summer or spring, etc. Choose something that is appropriate all year round. I also don't reccomend anything with a design( flowers, polka dots, etc). I think that the dress should be a classy black one. This is just my opinion, though :) Pick a good material. While a cotton LBD may be good for those casual times, it's hard to make a cotton dress look classy. My personal LBD is satin. Lastly, if you find a good one that fits perfectly, but may be a little pricey, splurge. It is always worth it to splurge on basics, because you will wear them so often. Your LBD will come to your fashion rescue more than you think!
Good luck ladies! I hope you find "the one". What does YOUR LBD look like?
X's and O's,
Amanda

The Marriage Trend

Hey Sugar Pies,
So there's a topic that's been on my mind alot lately. Marriage. Why? I am begining to see a new trend when it comes to marriage. I haven't found any statistics that prove this or anything, this is just what I have noticed!

Think of your grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa likely didn't wait until they were in their late 20's until they were married. Most people your grandparent's age got married very young, and started families young as well. They weren't in 5 year relationships before they decided to get married. Okay, there may have been a few exceptions, but as far as my grandparents and most people I have spoken withs grandparents, they were together for less than a year ( in my paternal grandparent's case, less than 3 months) before tying the knot. Our grandparent's generation didn't have much of a divorce rate, either. Maybe not all of them had happy marriages, but they seemed to try settling issues, or at least hold on. I don't necessarily think that it is good to hold on for the sake of not getting divorced, but this generation didn't call it quits easily!

Now, on to your parents. Our parent's generation had a HUGE divorce rate. I hardly know anyone whose parents stayed married. Most people my parent's age have been married and divorced- sometimes multiple times! So many people my age are children of divorce. Our parents split, we were bounced around between houses, etc. Some parents left entirely. As far as when they got married, I think there was a good mix of those who waited until they were a little older and those who married young. The majority of people I know, however, waited until they were a little older and were in longer term relationships.

So here's what has caught my attention lately. People my age( I am 20, been out of high school 2 years). SO many people around my age, or who I graduated high school with are getting married, engaged, starting families, etc. I am friends with a lot of the people I graduated with on my social network sites, and it seems like everytime I log in, a new person has gotten engaged, married, or pregnant. Last week alone, 4 girls from my graduating class were married. Several got engaged. I have been noticing this for awhile. It seems to me that people are getting engaged or married younger and younger! I personally think that the trend is cool. I really believe that my generation does take marriage very seriously. Many of us were children of divorce, and we know how hard it was for both our parents and us. The people I know who have gotten married couldn't be happier, and I think it's awesome. I am personally in a serious relationship where marriage is in the works( in the not TOO distant future;)), and I hope everyone my age who is getting engaged, married, etc, have very happy marriges. Of course, we cannot tell what the divorce rate of people our age will be, but I hope it is nowhere near where our parent's divorce rate was!

So all of this being said, what do you think? Are the trends different where you live? Do you think the trend is positive? Comment below!
X's and O's,
Amanda