Gift Guide: Beauty

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This gift guide is for the beauty girl in your life.  Does your Mom, Grandma, sister, or best friend love everything beauty and is your personal beauty guru?  Or better yet are they a little bit of a beauty novice and you're their beauty guru?  If so this is definitely the list for them!  As a major girl myself this is my favorite guide to put together every year and this year everything costs under $100.

The biggest splurge item on the list is this and it happens to be on sale right now; it's the perfect gift for the woman in your life who loves her hair.  You absolutely have to get this for the girl in your life that is always watching YouTube makeup tutorials. And for those gifts that are under $25?  Check out this, this, this, this, and this.  My favorites are definitely this because these eyeshadows are amazing (so amazing that I'm bummed I forgot to put them on My Favorites Things list) and this set which gives you everything you need for gorgeous lashes.  There's something in this guide for everyone and every price point!

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Today I'm linking up with Trendy Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl!, and I Feel Pretty.

Gift Guide: My Favorite Things

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I modeled this gift guide after the much loved Oprah's Favorite Things list.  If you don't know what Oprah's Favorite Things is it's a list that Oprah releases every year during the holiday season (usually at the beginning of November) in which she shares her favorite items from the past year as a big gift guide!  She started doing it when she had her talk show and has continued the tradition every year since and the list is always highly anticipated.  So this year I took inspiration from her and compiled a list of my favorite things from 2017 that would make great gifts.  All of these are items I've loved throughout the year and they are sure to make anyone you're gifting them to very happy!

1. Sunday Riley Power Couple Kit

I've talked about Sunday Riley's Luna Sleeping Night Oil and Good Genes on here numerous times this past year because they are amazing and this set pairs the two together in a convenient kit.  Luna is a retinoid oil that moisturizes, shrinks pores, reduces wrinkles, calms redness, and improves skin smoothness.  Good Genes is a pharmaceutical-grade, lactic-acid-based treatment that works to exfoliate, plump fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation, increase circulation, and firm skin for instant radiance.  This is the perfect gift for any skincare lovers you know!

2. The Vintage Cosmetics Company Hair Turban

Using a towel turban on my hair instead of a tradition terrycloth towel has been a game changer for me this year. The microfiber material these turbans are made of helps your hair to dry a lot faster and is much more gentle on your hair then a regular towel.   If you or someone you're gifting this year are trying to grow out your hair or repair damaged hair this is definitely a must have.

3. Capture Your Style by Aimee Song

I actually got this book from my sister last year for Christmas and it is perfect for anyone who is Instagram obsessed or loves fashion!  It's written by blogger/Instagram aficionado Aimee Song and is about how to use Instagram to create a brand, a loyal following, unique content, and everything else you need to know to take your Instagram account to the next level.  It's also worth noting that it makes for a super chic coffee table book as well!

4. Faux Fur Blanket

Oh my gosh I am all about faux fur blankets this year and am lusting after this pretty pink one.  I love having a blanket for when I'm working on blog stuff, watching TV, and I even sometimes land up bringing one to bed because they're just so soft and cozy.  A fuzzy or faux fur blanket is perfect for anyone on your list because everyone loves having a soft blanket (in college I got my best guy friend one and he loved it).  While I love the one I have pictured here I recommend checking Costco (this is where we got the ones we currently have at my house and they're so nice) and HomeGoods because both places usually have great options at very reasonable prices!

5. Charming Charlie Sunnies

So I've always been kind of a sunglass snob (I would only wear designer ones), but this year I was sent some sunglasses from Charming Charlie and could not stop wearing them!  They have so many cute options and designer look-alikes and they're super inexpensive which means you can get a few pairs.

6. Pink Yankees Baseball Cap

I have never really been one for baseball caps, but recently I've become obsessed with them.  They're are so many cute ones right now that you can find one for just about any outfit.  I've been wearing my pink Yankees cap on repeat lately though because it goes with most things and it's great for hiding your hair when you need to wash it!

7. Sudio Regent Headphones with Marble Caps

These headphones do an amazing job at blocking out noise with their studio quality sound and feel super comfy on my ears (the leather they're made of is butter soft, I'm obsessed with it).  They also fit in so easily with my everyday life and fit into my aesthetic really well.  I especially love the marble caps I got to make them truly perfect for me and very on trend.  Use the code THEBLUSHBLONDE when buying these for 15% off your purchases!

8. Farmacy Honey Potion Mask

This mask combines honey, royal jelly, propolis, and Farmacy's Echinacea GreenEnvy to hydrate, gently cleanse, and provide antioxidants to your skin.  I've found that it has even helped to clear up my skin when I'm having a breakout.  I think the best part about this mask though is that it warms when you rub it onto your face, which makes the experience feel super luxe.

9. Sephora Honey Lip Scrub

This lip scrub in stick form features gentle sugar exfoliants that works to remove any dead skin or flakes from your lips.  My lips tend to get dry and flaky, especially in the winter, so this is amazing to get them smooth and ready for lipstick.  My favorite part about this though is that since it's a stick it's less messy and more convenient to use than other lip scrubs I've tried.

10. Tory Burch Handbag

This year I have been loving Tory Burch handbags!  They're gorgeous, well made, and super luxe.  I have a bag similar to this one that I absolutely love and have worn so much this year.

11. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

This is my absolute favorite lipstick and has been for the last few years.  It has gorgeous color payoff and a beautiful matte finish, which makes for the perfect lipstick in my opinion.  It also has incredible staying power which is always a big plus in my book!  The color Train Bleu (pictured above) is my favorite.

12. Clarisonic Brush

As a major lover of skincare this one is really no surprise!  Using a facial brush with your cleanser a few times a week can drastically change your skin for the better.  This item has a cult following and is something any beauty lover needs.  The fun part about this is that it comes in a wide variety of colors, which means you can get the person you're gifting it to's favorite one!  Learn more about it here.

13. Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spray

I am completely in love with this refreshing spray and have been for a while now.  It is a great way to boost hydration and radiance throughout the day.  It calms and soothes skin and is especially important during the drying winter months.  This would make for a great stocking stuffer!

14. Pom Pom Beanie

I can't get enough of adorable pom pom hats for the winter.  They are the cutest accessory and will definitely help to keep you warm.  I'm especially loving this neutral one that will go with everything!

15. Adidas Superstar Sneakers in Black & White

16. Adidas Superstar Sneakers in Pink & White

I have been wearing these nonstop since I got a pair in January.  They are so comfortable and also really on trend right now!  I currently have them in black and white, but I love them so much that I definitely want them in pink too.  If pink isn't your color they come in a bunch of other colors too!

17. Charming Charlie Side Ruffle Joggers

If you follow me on social media then you've most likely seen me talking about how much I love these joggers from Charming Charlie.  These are ridiculously soft and cozy and I literally live in them.  Joggers are also huge right now so they're on trend and they're also super inexpensive, which makes them the perfect gift!

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Friday Favorites

Favorite Makeup Gigi x Maybelline

I'm a huge fan of Gigi Hadid so needless to say I was super excited when I found out she was releasing a makeup collection with Maybelline.  I have been dying for this makeup line to come out for a few weeks now and I'm so happy that it's finally available both in stores and online at Ulta.  I haven't had the chance to get to Ulta yet to check it out, but you can bet I will get there soon!  I love how the collection is broken up into East Coast Glam and West Coast Glow since Gigi is the ultimate bicoastal American girl.  I'm most excited to try Gigi's "perfect nude" lipstick Taura and her red lippie Lani.

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Favorite Cold Weather Outfit Inspo Black and White Cape and Pom Hat by The City Blonde

When I found this on Pinterest I fell in love with it.  It's finally starting to get chilly in NJ (it's actually not going to get out of the low 30s today, which is a big drop in the temperature) and it has me super excited for cold weather fashion.  I'm all about capes and over the knee boots this year and once again I cannot get enough cute pom pom beanies!  This look is super chic and serves for the perfection fashion inspiration for the many cold months we have ahead of us.

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Favorite Celebrity Look Jenna Dewan Tatum in Christian Siriano at War Dog: A Soldier's Best Friend premiere in Los Angeles

In my opinion Jenna Dewan Tatum always looks amazing, but I'm really loving her in this little black dress/statement heels look from this past week.  An LBD and statement heels ensemble is so simple, yet classic and Jenna really nails it here.  This look is also the perfect outfit inspiration for any parties you might have this holiday season!

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Favorite Nail Color Deborah Lippmann Venus in Furs

For fall and winter I always love dark nails (the darker the better) and right now I'm really obsessing over vampy dark red polishes.  I love this deep berry red color from Deborah Lippmann and definitely need to get a similar color next time I get my nails done (I'm currently wearing OPI Lincoln Park After Dark).  I will absolutely be wearing dark reds, cranberries, and burgundies on my nails all fall and winter.

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Favorite Launch Taylor Swift Reputation

So in case you live under a rock and/or just happened to miss this crazy big news Taylor Swift's new album finally comes out today!  I feel like we've all been waiting for what feels like forever for this moment and I'm so pumped the big day is finally here.  I've really loved all the songs she's dropped as singles so far and I'm sure the rest of the album is just as amazing so I cannot wait to hear all of the songs!  If you need me I'll be rocking out to T.Swift with Lucy all day 😉 !

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What are your favorites this Friday?

                    

Today I'm linking up with Friday Favorites, Friday Favorites, and Fab Favorites.

7 Days of Pinterest Hairstyles (And Not Washing Your Hair)

It can get boring wearing the same hairstyle day-in and day-out.  I know this from personal experience since it's something I'm guilty of.  You get into a routine and it makes it easier just to keep doing the same thing.  What if I told you though that you could do a full week of different, easy hairstyles AND be able to skip washing your hair during that week?  It sounds almost too good to be true, but today I'm showing how to do just that.

Here I have for you seven easy to do hairstyles from Pinterest (one for each day of the week) and my tips on how to not wash your hair for one week, but still keep it looking good and feeling fresh.  Each look will work with your hair based on the texture you gain each day from not washing it, which will allow your hair to hold the style better.  In addition to helping you with your hairstyle and saving you time, not washing your hair is a great way to help keep it healthier, which is definitely a win-win!

MONDAY

Hairstyle: Simple Blowout

Tutorial: A Clean Canvas from The Beauty Department

My Tips: To start off your week of not washing make sure to really clean your hair by shampooing twice before conditioning when in the shower.  You're going to kick off the week with this simple blowout, which will serve as the foundation for the styles you'll do during the rest of the week.  After completing your blow dry sprinkle a little hair or baby powder onto your roots, for added volume and to start extending your style, rub in and brush powder through your hair.

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TUESDAY

Hairstyle: Cross My Heart Braid

Tutorial: Cross My Heart Braid from Barefoot Blonde

My Tips: For the second day you'll work with the blowout you did yesterday and create an easy half up look.  Then on Tuesday night before bed spray dry shampoo at your roots and brush it through well so it is fully absorbed for Wednesday.

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WEDNESDAY

Hairstyle: Pull Through Braid

Tutorial: Pull Through Braid from Dash of Darling

My Tips: This look allows you to continue to build off that blowout and work with the texture your hair is getting from not washing it.  On Wednesday night sprinkle hair or baby powder onto your roots, brush through well to absorb any oil and prolong your style, also spritz with texture spray to prep for Thursday.

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THURSDAY

Hairstyle: Big Easy Loose Curls

Tutorial: Easy 5 Step Big Loose Curl Tutorial from Topknots and Pearls

My Tips: At this point your hair will have the perfect texture to hold curls, make sure to spray your hair with a heat protectant before curling though.  On Thursday night, use dry shampoo and rub in with hands at the roots to preserve your curls.  To sleep on Friday night wear your hair in a really high ponytail to help keep your curls intact.

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FRIDAY

Hairstyle: Side French Braid Ponytail

Tutorial: Side French Braid Ponytail from Missy Sue

My Tips: Your curls should still be intact from yesterday, however if you want you can touch them up once you've put your hair in the ponytail.  Friday night use dry shampoo and rub in with hands like you did on Thursday or rub in and then brush through, this will extend your style and prep your hair for Saturday.

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SATURDAY

Hairstyle: Messy Knotted Ponytail

Tutorial: Messy Knotted Ponytail from The Beauty Department

My Tips: There's no need to curl hair your hair in the tutorial as it will already have the messy waves you need from your previous styles.

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SUNDAY

Hairstyle: Messy Bun

Tutorial: 3 Messy Buns from Missy Sue

My Tips: On Sunday night apply a deep conditioning or oil treatment to dry hair, allow it to absorb overnight and wash out in the morning for a really intense treatment.

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Which day is your favorite look?

                    

Today I'm linking up with Midweek Inspo, Oh Hey Girl!, I Feel Pretty, and Trendy Wednesday.

Hostess Gifts: Thanksgiving

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Raise your hand if you can't believe that Thanksgiving is in just a few weeks 🙋. I am so excited for my favorite holiday and all the fun that is coming our way.  With Thanksgiving comes lots of celebration dinners and events with family and friends. All of these celebrations mean you need to start thinking of hostess gifts to bring with you so today I've put together a list for just that!  The gifts I have here will be great for everything from Thanksgiving to Friendsgiving and any other autumn/holiday parties you may attend during the season.  You can go super Thanksgiving themed with this serving spoon, this tray, or this adorable candle.  Or you can go with a more all year gift like cloth napkins, a dish towel, or oven mitts.  I've got you covered no matter what you're looking for and since everything listed here is under $45 (and most are under $20) you can even pair a few items together to create the perfect present.  Gifting any of these pieces is sure to make you stand out from everyone else who brings a bottle of wine and I know your hostess will definitely appreciate something different!

What do you usually like to bring as a hostess gift?

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Recipe: Apple Peanut Butter Dog Treats

So it's no secret that I love my dog and I love to spoil her rotten!  This past Sunday Lucy graduated from puppy school and I decided to make dog treats to put in little goody bags for all the pups in the class.  The class we took with Lucy at PetSmart was 6 weeks long and she loved the other dogs so I figured it would be cute to do something for all of them!  I was able to bring each dog 10 treats in a little cellophane bag and brought some to the trainer for his dogs at home too.  I probably seemed a little crazy, but everyone was appreciative of the little gift and I'm glad I was able to spoil all the pups for their graduation!

I had made treats for Coco in the past, but she didn't like them and I didn't have the recipe I used so I went on Pinterest to search recipes.  I read a few recipes for inspiration and then came up with my own.  These cookies remind me so much of human peanut butter cookies, but just made with dog safe ingredients (aka no white sugar).  They smelled amazing while I was making them and I wanted to give them a try, but I'm allergic to apples so my Mom tried them for me and said they were good.  Lucy also goes crazy for them, which made me so happy!  This recipe is easy, healthy, and sure to make your pup(s) very happy.

Ingredients:

-2 cups gluten free flour*

-1 cup oats

-2 eggs

-1/2 cup smooth peanut butter**

-1 1/2 cups applesauce

-1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

*I used a mix of coconut flour, rice flour, and Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix.

**Make sure the peanut butter does not contain Xylitol.

Instructions:

-Mix gluten free flour and oats until combined.

-Add eggs, peanut butter, applesauce, and melted coconut oil mixing between the addition of each ingredient.

-Mix until fully combined.

-Shape dough into 1/2 teaspoon balls and place on cookie sheet.

-Using a fork, flatten the treats (you can press the fork into the dough just once, like I did, or twice and create a criss cross design).

-Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

-Transfer from cookie sheet onto wire cooling rack. -Allow to completely cool before giving to your pup. -Store in an airtight container.

{This yields 128 1/2 teaspoon cookies, you can freeze both the dough and baked treats to use later and keep fresh longer.}

Have you ever made dog treats before?