A girly girl's 2014 Christmas Wishlist

Sorry I'm a little late talking about holiday shopping! This year my family and I are spending Christmas a few days late because of everyone's conflicting schedules.

I didn't really have much of a wishlist this year since I pretty much shopped throughout the year. ;) So far I've received  a bottle of red wine, Bailey's, chocolates, hand lotions, a journal, $100 MAC gift card, macaroons, a Starbucks gift card, a Minions mug and a $100 Visa gift card. Not too shabby. ;)

When it comes to shopping for others, Nordstrom is honestly my #1 choice. They have such trendy brand-name gifts and I know to expect high quality items. The best part is there are so many different price ranges so you can splurge on a loved one, or you can grab more affordable gifts for work gift exchanges and so on.

Check out the cute things I was able to find just by browsing online. I sorta want them now!! Happy Holidays! :)

Burberry Wallet | Ban.do iPhone Charger | Kate Spade Crystal Bezel Watch Straps Set | Kate Spade Socks 3-pack | Anne Klein Watch Bangle Set

Brown Ombre / Balayage Hair

I've been obsessing about ombres and balayages lately - looking through a ton of pinterest and instagram photos to get ideas. An ombre or balayage is a good way to change up your look if you're getting tired of having a single color and want something fun & trendy.
I was craving a change from my usual light honey brown hair and wanted something a bit darker for the Winter but not dramatically dark, so I kept some light pieces throughout. I'm super happy with the results!! :)

Organix Keratin Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

I've used a variety of shampoo and conditioners over the past decade; from the high-end Kerastase line to a 99 cent generic brand. After finishing my third bottle of MoroccanOil shampoo and conditioner, I decided to switch it up and try a drugstore brand.
I've seen Organix/OGX time and time again at the drugstores but never stopped to try them. Because I'm a fan of Keratin-based products, I was curious to try the Organix Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.

My review: 
I absolutely love the smell of the products. It's a very sweet floral scent. It's a pretty strong scent and I feel like you either love it or it could make you sick to your stomach. I personally love sweet smells. The consistency of the shampoo is a bit thick and doesn't seem to lather too much, which is exactly what I expect from a Keratin shampoo. It's supposed to keep your hair nourished and strong, so it's not meant to really strip too much from your hair. Since the shampoo doesn't provide much of a clarifying cleanse, the conditioner is extremely lightweight to help keep oil from building up.

After using the product for about two weeks, my hair was already super shiny and soft. I think this is a helpful product for people with a chemical treatment or who constantly bleach their hair and need some serious moisture TLC. I've had the Brazilian Blowout treatment in the past and if you're looking for an affordable set that will help prolong the treatment, I feel like this would be an adequate alternative. Overall, really good product and I would definitely purchase again. I kind of want to try all their different types now because I'm sure they all have yummy smells. :) You can try it here: Organix Keratin Line.

Estee Lauder Double Wear

First off, I received this cute Benefit cosmetic travel bag when I purchased a lip gloss and mascara. I absolutely adore it because it's the perfect little bag for just your makeup necessities. I just toss it in my bag on my way to work or if I'm going away for the weekend. Really adorable design too.

 I wanted to quickly post about my favorite liquid foundation at the moment. I'm currently obsessed with my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Shell Beige. The saleswoman at Bloomingdales recommended the liquid foundation after I told her I wanted full coverage with a hint of color. As soon as she tested the color on me, I was sold. Not only did it even out my reddish skin tone, but I really did have a subtle tan while still blending in with my overall skin tone. In the past, I've pretty much only used MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NW30 but I'm so glad I found something better for my skin. I just apply the foundation all over inluding my neck, and finish off with some Estee Lauder Oil-Control Pressed Powder in Light Medium. Being a makeup junkie and trying a variety of things, I really couldn't be happier with this product. I highly recommend Estee Lauder Double Wear for anyone wanting amazing coverage and color.

MAC Holiday Eyeshadow Palettes

I absolutely love the MAC holiday eyeshadow palettes I bought. There are three different palettes you can choose from: Plum, Smoky, and Beige. I bought the plum because I know purple shades look great on brown eyed girls. It was a tough decision between smoky and beige as both palettes had beautiful neutral brown shades. In the end, I decided on the smoky selection because it had a black-ish color I knew would someday be handy for a night out.

MAC palettes are fun because the colors are so versatile and great to play around with both a natural or a night time look. The pretty glittery casing is just the cherry on top. Can't wait to use these!