Wish List: iPod Nano

Hey everyone! You may know this, you may not. I have an iPhone, but I also have an iPod touch. If you ask me, it's completely unnecessary. As you can tell, I do not need a new iPod. However, the new iPod nano really has me wishing I did! I normally don't talk about technology stuff since, to be quite honest, I know nothing about it. What I do know is that the new iPod nanos are adorable, and I wish I could justify needing one. I always thought about getting an iPod shuffle because they are small and could clip onto me when I'm working out. (There is a little pouch thing you can get for the iPod touch that wraps around your arm, but it's so bulky I feel like it's not even worth it!) The downside to the shuffle is that it can only hold up to 2GB of songs, and being the music addict that I am, that's just unacceptable.

Insert iPod nano - the best of both worlds! You can opt for either an 8GB ($149.00) or 16GB ($179.00) and it comes in seven different colors. I think we all know which one I would choose... pink! But the best part about the new nano is how small it is, and it even has a clip on the back to clip onto my tank top while I hit the gym. It's also a touch screen, which makes it too good to be true.

Like I said, I don't really trust myself to talk about technology stuff, but I saw the commercial for this bad boy and thought it was way too cute to not talk about! I obviously don't need one, but it's still an item I must add to my mental "wish list."

So tell me - would you fork over $149.00-$179.00 for the new nano? If so, which color would you choose?

-Blair.

I Don't Like It: L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover

Hey everyone! Many of you may have seen my sisters "I Don't Like It" video where she reviewed a product she, obviously, didn't like. She has started a new series on her channel and does mini-videos on products she bought, but later regretted. I don't want to steal her thunder, or marvelous idea, so instead of doing videos on my channel, too, I'm just going to write up a blog post on any products I feel don't make the cut. Say hello to my new blog series, "I Don't Like It: (Insert Product Name Here.)" Oh, and I give Elle all credit for coming up with the idea and name :)

Todays victim? The L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover, I purchased mine at Walgreens for $8.99, but you can find them online for around $6.00. While I was in NYC for Fashion Week, I took along my beloved Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover ($26.00). Somehow, when we were packing up the hotel room to catch our flight which we were running late to, I managed to forget my eye makeup remover! (Along with my skinny bow waist belt!) Once I was home, I realized I didn't have my eye makeup remover with me and made a mental note to pick up a new one at Lancome whenever I was in a department store. Turns out, I hit up Walgreens first and decided to save some cash, and pick out a new eye makeup remover.

Insert the L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover. It was sitting on a shelf all by itself, which made me feel like it must be a good product if there's only one left, and it was even in a blue bottle! (The Lancome one is in a blue bottle, too. I knew it must be fate.) I glanced at the $8.99 price tag and decided to give it a go, hey, it beats having to fork over $26.00 for the Lancome one - plus, I wouldn't have to drive to the mall now. I eagerly took it up to the counter to pay for it, along with other items of sheer bliss, like false lashes!

That night I was getting ready for bed and set out my cotton balls, cotton swabs, and new found "hopeful" love. I saturated a cotton ball first, then set it on my eye for a good 7 seconds to give it time to break up my mascara and eyeliner, err... particles? When I went to wipe the makeup away, I realized my makeup had only smeared, but was still on my eyes. I went in again with a different side of the cotton ball, and held it on for 10 seconds this time. Still, no good. Getting frustrated, I decided to go ahead and wash my face, then I would try again to get my eye makeup off, since my face wash doesn't do a great job at that. After I washing my face twice, (the first time is to remove my face makeup, the second is to cleanse the skin) I dipped a cotton swab into the bottle, and tried to clean up underneath my eyes. Still, no luck. I settled on giving up and went to Elle to borrow her Lancome one. The next night, I decided to give it one more go. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch.

My final conclusion is that the L'Oreal remover is water in a blue bottle. That's the only possible explanation for why it wouldn't remove my eye makeup at all. This makes me a little sad, since I was excited to find a less expensive version of my true love, but in this case.. maybe you should pay a little extra for a product that does the job right.

So tell me, what's your favorite eye makeup remover? I'd love to know if you have found a drugstore one that works!

-Blair.

Juicy Couture Rubik Cube, Anyone?!

Hey everyone! Most of you know that I have a strange obsession with rubik cubes. It started when I was in tenth grade and one of my best friends, Sydney, would bring one to school everyday and try to solve it whenever we had free time, or, let's face it, even when we were supposed to be working. For fall break that year, Syd came on vacation with me and my family and brought her rubik cube along. She got stuck in her usual place, after she solved the green side, and was complaining during the car ride. Mom must have heard her since she turned around and said, "Oh, I can do that!" We didn't believe her so Sydney handed it over, and sure enough, Mom solved it in less that two minutes! When we asked her to teach us she said she didn't know how she did it, her fingers just moved the colors to where they needed to be. We spent the rest of vacation trying to figure out how to work the darn thing.

Once I was home from vacation, I bought my own rubik cube and logged onto youtube to find out how to solve it. I stayed up all night teaching myself, then walked into class proudly on monday, rubik cube in hand, to show Sydney how it was done. (BTW, she had looked up how to do it too, and solved it before I could even show her I had one with me!) Ever since, I've been obsessed with getting my time down on solving it.

A few days ago I tweeted the link to the most amazing rubik cube, EVER! A Juicy Couture rhinestone one! You all know how obsessed I am with Juicy Couture, I mean, hello! That's where the "juicy" in my username comes from. You better believe I would have ordered it online in a heart beat, if it wasn't for the price tag attached. A whopping $68.00 is what you'd have to fork over to own one of these, and I don't know about you, but I can't spend that on a whim for something so frivolous. However, is it weird that I really long for one?

I posted a video a long time ago showing you all me solving the rubik cube link here in 2 minutes and 3 seconds (not my best time, but it'll work.) BTW, that video is so old - it was one of my first ones, ever! I feel like a totally different person, but it's fun to look back on 15 year old me. Oh, and I totally understand what mom meant when she said she couldn't explain how to solve it. My fingers just move and half the time I have no idea what they're doing. Weird...

You tell me, would you pay $68.00 for a rhinestone incrusted Juicy Couture rubik cube?

-Blair.

Flawless Foundation Routine

Hey everyone! Most of you know that I don't have perfect skin, but then again who does? I not only don't have perfect skin, but my skin really isn't good at all. It's a big greasy oil ball and I tend to break out a lot. I've tried countless skin care systems, and I think I may have finally found one that works for me, but more on that in it's own post when I'm sure it's my miracle. For now I have to depend on makeup to help even out my skin tone and cover up my blemishes. If you watch my videos, you also probably know that I change up my foundation routine way to much for a sane soul. That being said, I can't remember the last time I was this in love with a foundation routine and have stuck with it for so long. Here's what I do/use...

1) Apply one squirt of Lancome Primer all over face using my fingers, then let set for at least sixty seconds.

2) Put a small amount of Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation on the back of my hand, then use a Mac 131 brush to stipple and blend all over my face and neck. (NOTE: Apply a small amount all over, then focus another layer on any problem areas.)

3) Pat a small amount of Laura Mercier Secret Brightener below my eyes.

4) Smear some Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer under my eyes, around the sides of my nose, and on any problem areas using my fingers.

5) Set my under eye concealer with Laura Mercier Eye Brightening Powder.

6) Using a Mac 134 brush, dust on a layer of Nars Powder Foundation.

7) Finish off with any bronzer, blush, and other makeup of your choice!

Now you might be wondering why the multiple under eye products are necessary. For you, they may not be. However, I have dark under eye circles and find that when you conceal them properly, it makes all the difference! The first Laura Mercier product comes in a pen/tube container with a brush applicator and twist up bottom. It's a shimmery color that reflects light away and, in doing that, brightens up your under eyes. (NOTE: If you have lighter skin, get #1. Darker skin requires #2.) The next product is concealer, which speaks for itself. Now you can set this concealer with your normal powder, or you can do what I do, which is use the brightening powder. The brightening powder is a white/translucent powder with tiny little sparkles. When applied on top of your under eye concealer, it brightens up your entire eye. It's also great for photography, since it will react with the flash from the camera and make your eyes look super radiant.

You may have also noticed that I set my foundation, with another foundation. Mind you, it's a powder foundation, but still a foundation. I used to set the Laura Mercier foundation with a translucent powder, but when I was in LA in June for IMATS, I met an amazing makeup artist named Gabe who told me to set it using the Nars Powder Foundation. I thought this would look cake-y and overdone, but I took his word for it and tried it out. I was amazed by how great the coverage was! I have done this everyday since and I can't imagine switching it out for other products in the near future.

So tell me, what's your every day foundation routine? Have you tried any of these products out, and if so, what'd you think?

-Blair.

My New Go-To Necklace!

Hey everyone! So I'm sure you all probably know about mine and my sister's website Glitzy-Glam.com. You all also probably know that I am semi-obsessed with having my initial on things. From my door sign, to towels and wash cloths, to keychains and more, I love having a B plastered on anything and everything. Well, Glitzy-Glam has a new item online that I just cannot get enough of, the "Single Initial Necklace!" I knew I had to show you all my new addiction, but I thought a video on this would be a little out there, so lo and behold, a blog post was my answer.

Obviously, my favorite one is the "B!" This little baby is on a silver chain with a white face plate and silver initial. Add in the crystal stones around the plate, and you have yourself a glistening statement that goes with any outfit! I've been wearing mine pretty much everyday, and it's quickly becoming a staple piece in my wardrobe. I also love that it matches anything I wear (as long as it doesn't require gold jewelry! I know mixing silver and gold is a trend, but yuck!) For those wondering, the necklace retails for $14.95.

BTW, Glitzy-Glam.com is having a surprise sale right now! It's 20% off keychains, makeup bags, lunch bags, pad and tampon holders, spa wraps, and headbands. The site ships worldwide and there is no minimum purchase to get the 20% off discount! (You don't need a coupon code, the items are already discounted.)

If you need to buy holiday gifts for your friends, family, or even yourself - now would be the time to do so, ya know, with the sale going on and all! You also will already have your gifts stocked up, so there's no rushing to get them at the last minute. I personally think the necklace would be a great gift for anyone of any age, but then again, the tampon holders are great too! LOL!

-Blair.

Dark Nails: Yay or Nay?

With fall quickly approaching us, I have a question I've been dying to ask you guys. Dark nails - Yay or Nay? (Yay meaning you love them and/or would wear them. Nay meaning you don't like the look of them.) Personally, my favorite part about the colder seasons is the scarves and dark nail polish.. OH, and the cranberry lips :) Anyways, I have currently been rocking "Lincoln Park After Dark" by OPI on my nails and I have to ask.. Do you like the dark nail trend?

Some may argue that it's either too "emo," "dirty," or just plain ugly - but I love the look of it on short, squoval nails. I prefer not to do black, but opt for a dark purple or deep blue. I talk about trends in my videos a lot and always get people asking me why I'll only wear dark nails in fall/winter or why I like following clothing trends so closely. I can't really explain it other than the fact that this is what I love. I love the beauty and fashion industry (obviously!) and while I like knowing that I'm one of the first ones rocking a new trend, I get even more joy out of knowing that I can deliver certain trends to my viewers first who may not know about them otherwise.

That being said, if you are someone who sets their own trends.. more power to you! When I was in eighth grade I would wear different earrings every day. Like a hoop in one ear and a feather earring in the other. Some of my friends started doing it too, but what they didn't know is that the only reason I did it was because my ears were pierced differently and when I wore matching earrings you could tell my ear holes were uneven. Anyways, to get back to the trend point, I really enjoy following the trends... but I also think dark nails really look good in fall and winter. Then I can wear bright colors in spring and summer :)

So tell me, Dark Nails - Yay or Nay?

-Blair.

**picture found on fashion-stylist.net

Where Have I Been?!

Hey everyone! So sorry I haven't been posting regularly. I feel like I always say I will keep this blog updated with every intention of doing so, but it just never gets done. Normally, I thought updating this more than once a day would be overload.. so I would write a blog and save it for a rainy day (or a day where I didn't have time to type up a blog post!) Well, I realized that I never actually posted those filler blog posts. So I have a new approach this time...

1) Don't forget to update!

2) If I write more than one post a day, I'll put both of them up!

3) Uhhhh, that's all I could think of!

Anyways, I think that will work! What do you think? Now here is what I need from you... If I go awhile without updated this blog - tweet me, message me, or email me reminding me to UPDATE! I have so many things on my plate right now that sometimes I honestly just forget to write up new posts.

BTW, lots of you have been asking me to update about the Obaji Nu-Derm Skin Care line that I was in the process of using, and to be honest with you - I just couldn't handle it. I know they say you're supposed to wait out the six weeks.. but six weeks of my skin sliding off my face was just not going to cut it for me. I had to stop using that and go back to my Clinique 3 Step Skin Care System, which, by the way, has started helping again. Another thing is that I have gotten my first Isolaz treatment, and I'm going to get more! I'll do an entire post or video or something dedicated to that - because I think it might be the miracle I've been waiting for all along.

New posts coming soon :)

-Blair.