Review: Shiseido Eyelash Curler

So remember my beauty wish list that I made back in August? If you don't, click here. Moving on, I actually purchased something from that list, and that is the Shiseido eyelash curler. I have very straight eyelashes that are pretty difficult to curl. I have tried various eyelash curlers from different brands and none of them have ever worked out for me. Finally, I decided to do extensive research and came across this eyelash curler and the Shu Uemera eyelash curler. I opted for the Shiseido one because it was the easiest for me to get. So not only are my eyelashes extremely straight, I also have wide eyes, so I really needed an eyelash curler that is traditionally made for Asian girls (even though I am not Asian).

I really do enjoy this eyelash curler. If I ever press too hard, it doesn't pinch my eyes unlike another eyelash curler I had by Stila. It is gentle and effective, which is perfect for me. It reaches all of my eyelashes from corner to corner. I usually try to avoid heavy mascaras because they make my eyelashes fall, but with this eyelasher curler I can just curl my eyelashes before and after I apply mascara and that usually does the trick. I know its not good to curl your eyelashes after mascara, but for me it is imperative! I always do routine eyelash curls throughout the day to keep them looking good. 

Do you have any good tips for me? What eyelash curler do you like to use, if any? 

Have a great weekend!

-Emily

*If you have naturally curly eyelashes, please disregard this information, you don't need this. Lucky duck. 

"May your coffee be strong and your Monday be short."

Another post about coffee? Why yes, and you can expect a lot more because Emily and I adore it, and we hope you do too!

So, what I am about to write next will sound weird.  I want to share a poem that I wrote about coffee back in April.  I was feeling inspired and it may be the worst poem ever, but today I will share with you some of my random creativity.

ODE TO COFFEE

Coffee, how I love you
you allow people to come together
and chat
and reminisce
and share deep secrets
you, bring lovers together
you are a first date
you wake people up and are there for society in the A.M.
you energize them and get deep down into the
grumpiest people and transform them
at least of a little bit

Coffee you are the only one there when we are
hard at work at our desks
and falling apart in the late P.M. to finish work

Your scent fills me with serenity
I am comforted and wildly awake all
at the same time.

Your shade, how I love the
light browns to
the deepest
darkest brown
you allow us to change you to our liking you
are never selfish

-there is more to this poem but it gets weirder and I think I should try to fix it.

I am not a great poet, but we are all entitled to be creative every once in a while.  This poem might not even be considered a poem, maybe it is more like just a bunch of random thoughts.  Any who, this should give you a bit of insight on why I love coffee so much.

The most random and weirdest blog post yet.

Thanks Coffee.
And to all, Happy National Coffee Day!

How do you like your coffee?

-Diana

Petite Moment: Oatmeal, so not overrated.

Having oatmeal for breakfast is one of my favorite things to do in the fall.  I love how it is warm, perfect for the chilly days of fall.  It is also a hardy breakfast.  It is fast to make and can be tailored to your individual taste.

Add berries, seeds, and nuts!

On the days that I am in  rush (or more like lazy) I simply add chia seeds, dried cranberries, and agave syrup.

Today's breakfast, I ate this in bed while I caught up on watching YouTube videos.

What do you put in your oatmeal?

-Diana

Ride the Train to Coffee Town

Two posts about coffee in one week? Why not! As I was scrolling through Facebook (definitely not procrastinating) I ran across a post that caught my eye. It was a link to a map of Chicago's greatest coffee shops based on the train line system. So basically its a coffee shop per stop and I thought it was genius!

http://www.thrillist.com/drink/chicago/best-chicago-coffee-shops-by-cta-public-transit-train-stops

Each stop has a distinct coffee shop that you can attend and I think it would be a fun activity to go to as many shops as you can! I'm not sure how many cups of coffee you can drink before you overdose on caffeine, but maybe visiting 4 or 5 shops a day and not drinking coffee at each would be perfectly fine. The nice people at The Thrillist even go so far as to show you each line individually. I'll share some of them with you...

Red Line:

Brown Line:

The Loop:

If you live in Chicago, I definitely recommend bookmarking this in your phone so if you ever feeling like trying a new coffee place on your way to work, school, or anywhere you know where to look! Even if you don't live in Chicago, but you are visiting, checking out some of these places is definitely a must! You can Yelp the best places to ensure you get the best coffee. I definitely plan on doing this whenever I go back home (Diana, we are obviously doing this together!) and I will let you guys know how it is! 

Check out the full post with more details here

Have a great weekend!

-Emily

5 Drug Store Products That are Great

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour Lipstick

I love these lipsticks because they are moisturizing and have awesome pigmentation.  You can dab on a bit for a subtle color, or take your time applying it for a bolder lip.  There is a large color selection, one of my favorites is Spiced Cider (755).

Vaseline Lip Therapy

This stuff is incredibly moisturizing!  Forget the expensive stuff at other places, this does the job.  This lip balm lasts a long time and it works quickly.  I usually put this on before I go to bed, and before I leave for school.  I find that I rarely have to apply lip balm throughout the day.

Pond's Dry Skin Cream

I have incredibly dry skin and I find that this works wonders on my face.  This is one of my favorite moisturizers because it is meant for dry skin and it is a thick cream.  It is greasy but I put it on before I go to bed so that my skin can absorb it at night.  I wake up with smooth skin in the mornings.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 

I love this concealer because it is easy to blend.  It can also be used for anything.  I put it under my eyes, and on blemishes.  When I put it on blemishes I add a bit of powder to really blend it out.

L'Oreal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner

This eyeliner is amazing because it is easy to apply.  I am awful at applying liquid liner, however this is smooth and does not dry out quickly.  I love that it drys matte.

-Diana

Petite Moment: Dreaming of Purses

When fall roles around, I start dreaming about getting a new purse for the season. I am over the small, side satchels and finally feel like carrying a bigger purse. I especially love purses in fall colors like: burgundy, green, brown, and black. So when I was scrolling through the Zara website, I saw a few contenders that may be my new purse for the season(s) and I thought I'd share them with you...

The Perfect Standard Black Bag

A Bucket Bag in the Prettiest Shade of Green 

A Tri-Colored Structured Bag, Matches with Everything 

A Purse that Doubles as a Fashionable Backpack

Classic Black & White

Messenger Bag

Which one is your favorite? Personally, I am leaning towards the first black bag! 

-Emily

Getting into the Fall Mood

IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF FALL!!! AHHHH, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?  Okay maybe everyone is not as fond of fall as I am, but there are some great things about fall that I am sure most of us love!

So I want to talk about the things that can help us set the mood ;) if you know what I mean.

Sweaters

They are great for days that are chilly.  We can layer them so that we are not waling around with bulky jackets.  Sweaters are also stylish.  There is a such a large variety of sweaters out there that you are bound to find a few that fit your style.

Cozy Nights In

Fall nights are amazing for staying in and warming up with close friends.  Get comfortable and take a break from the crisp air.  I simply love the feeling of wrapping myself in a blanket and being lazy.

Pie

Such an american staple!  Pie in the fall is especially delicious because some of its ingredients are in season, such as pumpkins and apples.

Flannels

Flannels are warm and yet light enough for those days are not yet cold.  

Pumpkins

Pumpkin anything and everything is the definition of fall.  Well not really, but you know what I mean.

Warm Drinks

I love my ice, but by the end of summer I long for a hot cup of coffee or tea.  Warm drinks are like a hug for your insides and they keep your hands warm.  Must I really try to justify why warm drinks are amazing?

Apple Cider

It is so delicious- nothing more to say.

Scarves

Dear scarves, Thank you for keeping us warm and still being fashionable.
       
       

Boots

Like sweaters there are many, many, many different types of boots.  Find a pair, or 10 that you find comfortable and were the heck out of them because their time to shine is now!

Candles

The right candle will make any room smell like fall.

What are some things that get you in the fall mood? Let me know.

-Diana 

College Advice: Coffee

The next installment of my college advice is all about caffeine. If you don't drink coffee or tea or any other form of caffeine, then are you really human? You're probably a robot or a very admirable person if you don't drink any kind of caffeine drink.

To me, my Keurig is the most important "non-essential" thing in my dorm. I use it every morning to make myself a cup of coffee and whenever I feel like drinking tea in the afternoon. It is so convenient and economical to just make your coffee yourself at home. Instead of spending $4 everyday for coffee at Starbucks (or any other coffee shop), you can just make it yourself an equally delicious drink. The creamer you use makes or breaks your coffee (unless you like it black). I love the traditional half & half cream with one packet of Truvia but sometimes that doesn't cut it and I want something with an actual flavor.  So I buy those flavored coffee creamers and they elevate the game to a whole other level. Also, Keurigs and other small single brew coffee machines do not take up too much space, so they won't be a problem in small spaces, such as dorms. 

Your coffee probably won't look like this unless you're fancy and crazy talented. 

So a small coffee machine will be not only a good invest to save your money, but it will also help you keep your sanity. 

-Emily

The Chicago Art Institute

Have you all watched Ferris Bueller's Day off?  I am sure you have, and if you haven't go watch it on Netflix after you finish reading this blog post!  That's an order.  It is a fantastic movie because it is funny and very honest.  This film is one of the few filmed in Chicago.  It does an amazing job of showing off the best things that Chicago has to offer.  I have always loved museums.  Chicago has a handful of great museums.  One of the greatest museums here is The Art Institute of Chicago.  This museum contains Art pieces from many world famous artists (one being Pablo Picasso-- my favorite).    

My first week of college my professor had my class go to the Art Institute.  He told us to find three paintings, one that made us squirm, one that gave us a positive cathartic moment, and one that gave us a negative cathartic moment.  Having gone to the Art Institute many times before I already had an idea of what paintings I would pick for the assignment.  

SQUIRM

This painting has always scared me and it really does make me squirm.  

POSITIVE 

As a young girl I loved this piece of art because it reminded me of the love my mother and I have for each other.  It also makes me think of the safety that my mother has provided me with and the trust that I share with her.  Seeing this painting today takes me back to being a vulnerable child who relies on her parents.  (Unlike now that I am a college student and have to get my sh*t together all on my own). 

NEGATIVE

Gosh I love Picasso, but this painting makes me incredibly sad.  The painting is wonderful, however what it displays leads me to think of loneliness.  As a young girl I used to feel bad for the man with the guitar.  I wondered why he might be in his situation.  Now that I see this painting as an older girl, I also see how any person can be in a situation such as this one.  We go through life hoping that we will never be like the man in this painting.  However, the reality is that it doesn't take much for us to fall into pain, sorrow, and loneliness. 

Assignment and movie aside, I highly suggest checking out the Chicago Art Institute when ever you get a chance.  If you love art you will be dazzled and amazed by everything this museum has to offer.

-Diana 

Petite Moment: The Time has Finally Come!

The moment we've all (okay, mostly me) been waiting for has finally come! I finally had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte. And it was everything I thought it would be and more!

I usually don't get whipped cream on it because I want to save myself those extra calories, but today I felt like indulging myself (treat yo self) and it was amazing. Also it doesn't hurt that me and my friend Adriana, not Audriana (Starbucks workers always misspell names) got the buy one get one deal for all of the fall drinks!

Do you like the PSL? Or do you like another fall drink? Let me know below!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

-Emily

Petite Moment: Nail Art Inspiration

Ahh nail art, I wish I had the skills and patience to do it. Thankfully nail art strips exist and we never have to actually do it, but those designs are extremely limited. So today, I am going to share with you designs that I want to do one day (but lets be real, I probably won't).

As you can see, I am very into those geometric shapes. All of these images can be found on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emigarcia14/nails/ 

-Emily

What I'm Up To Today: I am sick

Good afternoon to anyone who maybe reading this.  Does this blog get any readers? I hope so, I  sure hope so.  My regular College schedule has started, and so far so good.  I think I'm used to college.   Or maybe I am just walking around pretending, when really I am going about this college thing completely wrong.  Whatever, it's okay.   Like I said before, I am a commuter.  I thought that being a commuter would save me from the illnesses that go around college dorms.  However to my dismay, I AM SICK.  I am not terribly sick,  I haven't missed class and I am still aware of the deadline of my paper due tomorrow (which I have yet to start.)  But yes, I have a cold; my throat hurts, my nose is stuffy (maybe my French accent will be better in class this week), I'm exhausted, I feel week, and I get headaches.  I'm still alive.  I rarely get sick.  I am used to getting sick about once a year and I am never sick in the fall.  Not this year!  It's finally feeling like fall and I have the germs of college students living inside of me.  On top of that I think I have an eye infection.  No big deal I'll just die my first week into college.   So now I report to you from my cozy. comfy, bed.  After classes today, and delayed public transportation, I got home, turned on Netflix, and got myself some chicken noodle soup.  Then I drugged (DayQuil)  myself in hopes that I could pull myself together so that I can get homework done this afternoon.

Are you in college yet?  If so, be prepared to get sick! The college germs are coming for you.  It's inevitable to get sick at during college.  So take care of your selves.  Mom and Dad can't nurse you back to health.  But, you will be okay I promise.

-Get those drugs
-Pop some chicken noodle soup into your microwave
-Sleep and watch Netflix
-Make sure you have tissue with you at all times
-Cough drops and water -need
-Consider ditching class and stay in bed all day... JK pull your self together and whatever you do try to never miss classes!  Don't let a little cold get in the way of your motivation.

My soup, my Netflix, my bed. All I need.

BTW: Today I finished watching the Desperate Housewives Series.  I loved it and got hooked this summer.  It is great that I am done because it was really distracting me from homework these past couple of weeks.  Hopefully I won't be hooked on anymore Netflix for a while.  I am not proud of my Netflix addiction.  I realized my problem, that's the first step right?

-Diana 

College Advice: Rain Boots

Once upon a time, as I was walking to a class on a crisp (almost) fall day, it started to get very windy and clouds started to fill the sky. I started to panic walk because I didn't want it to rain while I was walking to class and because I was kind of late to class. And then before I knew it, it started to pour. I always keep my umbrella in my backpack, so I quickly whipped that out. But my poor, unfortunate Sperry wearing feet got drenched. DO NOT let this happen to you, don't let your feet become a victim to the rain, BUY RAIN BOOTS. 

I have never been a fan of rain boots. I saw no point in owning them because a) I never really had to walk in the rain and b) they do not provide warmth, just protection from rain. So I came to college without a pair, and survived pretty well without them for the first week and a half. But then the weather deciding to get all weird and cold and rainy. And I regret my decision of not buying or ever owning rain boots. Yesterday, as I was walking through campus, seeing all of these girls with dry feet, wearing Hunters and stepping through puddles without a care in the world, I quickly realized I need to get a pair of rain boots. I don't necessarily need or want a pair of Hunter boots (they are like the Uggs of rain boots, right?) But I definitely want a cute and versatile pair I can wear that won't make me look like The Man with the Yellow Hat. 

I am going to check out my local TJMaxx and Marshall's because they always seem to have cute rain boots for a reasonable price. If I have no luck there, I might have to resort to getting Hunters or other types of designer boots. The moral of this blog post is: please please please buy rain boots, they will save your feet and your shoes. Do not be stubborn like me and think they are unfashionable, do the best thing for your feet! 

Do you like rain boots? If so, tell me what brand is your favorite and why in the comments below!

-Emily 

Borrowing From The Military

This fall season I have been loving my green military jacket.  I had never realized how a green jacket could be a basic.  I have been wearing it everyday this past week and have learned that it matches just about everything.  I definitely recommend adding a military jacket to your wardrobe if you haven't already.  Look at the pictures below for proof that you can rock this jacket everyday!

-Diana