'Tis the Season: My Christmas Haul-iday

It began to look a lot like Christmas a couple of weeks ago, when the snow finally came and blanketed the city in white. I simply love Christmas - from the cookies to the holiday cheer to the lights. In this blog post, I will be highlighting some of my favorite gifts.

Makeup

I have always wanted makeup from Sephora. I received the Urban Decay Naked On The Run, which includes five eyeshadows, an all-over powder, bronzer, blush, lip gloss, mascara and an eye pencil. This set has several neutral shades that are perfect for any occasion.

Naked On The Run Palette
Photo Courtesy: Urban Decay

Naked On The Run Tutorial
Video Courtesy: Youtube

My grandma bought me the Bella J. Deluxe Brush Set from Nordstrom. It has a domed powder brush, flat rounded blush brush, flat eyeshadow brush, duo fiber blending brush, definition brush, and lash/brow groomer brush. These six brushes work well with all of my new makeup.

On the top of my wish list was a Large Ruffle Cosmetic Bag from Vera Bradley. I simply adore the Cherry Blossom print and this bag is durable yet fashionable. The inside of the bag has a waterproof lining, which allows for easy breezy cleaning (If you are like me - a germophobe - then this is a biggie).

To tie everything together, one of my presents was a Two-Sided Makeup Mirror by Conair. It has four light settings - day, evening, home, and office. I honestly don’t care about these different lightings, especially the office because it is pointless since I don’t have a job. With 1x and 5x magnification, this mirror allows one to see the bitty details.

Hair

I am kinda obsessed with anything and everything concerning hair. For a long time, I have been wanting a curling wand. When I unwrapped my Remington Pearl Ceramic Professional Curling Wand, I ran to plug it in to test it out. This wand creates the perfect ringlet and heats up to 410 degrees within minutes. As an added bonus, it comes with a heat resistant glove to prevent any burns, and when I wear it I feel like Michael Jackson.

Between the chlorine and everyday life, my hair gets greasy fast, to the point where I have to wash it daily. One of the latest crazes is dry shampoo, a way to get the fresh shower look in just a few seconds. I got Batiste dry shampoo in the medium and brunette color. It refreshes your hair, adds body and textures, and removes oils. Plus, the spray container allows for trouble-free application.

Swimming

On my room walls, I have action shots of me swimming. Prior to Christmas, I already had two canvases, one of butterfly and one of backstroke. My parents gave me another one of breaststroke to add to my collection. I adore these pics because they remind me of how much I love the sport and they make my room feel homey and unique.

My Christmas Canvas

I hope that you guys had a fantabulous holiday season, because I know I did! I just realized that I forgot to mention that I got Lululemon leggings as an early Christmas treat, and they are amazing. Be sure to comment on your favorite presents below. Thanks for reading and see you next time!

XOXO 

Siena

Simple Styles for Sluggish Days

If you are like me, you have very little time to get ready in the morning for school. Once my alarm goes off at 6am, I struggle to get out of bed and attempt to make myself look somewhat presentable. On these early mornings, these are my go-to hairstyles! 

The Bun

There are many variations for this known updo. You can add in a braid, twist, or some type of accessory like a lace bow too! In just a couple of minutes, you can get all of your hair out of your face with this chic look.

A Side Bun with a Twist
Photo Courtesy: Cute Girls Hairstyles

The Side Twist

This hairstyle is short and sweet. Just take a small section of hair and split it into two. Then, twist the two pieces together and secure with bobby pins. That is all!

The Braids

Where do I even begin! Braids come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. My personal favorite is the french braid because it is super easy. If you are looking for a more formal hairstyle, try the waterfall braid. Also, the fishtail braid has a lot of texture that goes great with a basic outfit. Keep reading if you want to see an adorable way to use your next day braids!

How To Do A Reverse Fishtail
Video Courtesy: Youtube

The Crimped Look

The crimped look is one of my favorites and it is the perfect way to use your next day braids. You can either leave your braids in from the day before or once you get out of the shower put your hair into braids (the less the looser and the more the tighter). Take your braids out in the morning for gorgeous waves.

The Soft Curls

If you have really thin hair like me, then it takes you no time to curl your hair with a curling iron. But, if you are looking for a shortcut, try out the magic bun maker. Overnight, your hair will go from extremely straight to curly and bouncy.

The Pony

The ponytail dates back as far as Egyptian dancers! But since the ponytail is still in, it has been featured in several teen fashion magazines, including TeenVogue and Seventeen. In the back-to-school edition of Seventeen, there was an article on how to give the plain ponytail the cute makeover. It involved curing the ends of your hair for an extra bounce and wrapping a small strand of hair around the elastic. Likewise, TeenVogue featured headbands, barrettes, ribbons, and scrunchies in their edition. Experiment with all these different ideas to find what works best for you.

A Picture of the Article in Seventeen

These are all the ideas that I have for today. Remember, when in doubt, leave you can always just leave your hair down! I love doing hair and I believe that your hairstyle is an essential part of your outfit. Check out Youtube for lots of hair tutorials if you are willing to try something new. Thank you for reading this post and there will be more posts coming soon!

XOXO

Siena

My Closet Must-Haves

I thought that today I would share with you some staples for your wardrobe, so here you go.

Cardigan

As we all know, giant cardigans have been coming into style. Whether they are a plain color or have an intricate design, they are perfect for those chilly fall nights or just to simply accent your outfit. Right now, my favorite cardigan is the BP Open Front Cardigan from Nordstrom.

Casual & Cute Sweatshirt

I have those days when I barely can even make it out of my bed, let alone put together my outfit. Therefore, I throw on a sweatshirt with leggings for school. The BP Collection at Nordstrom offers comfortable clothing that is perfect to wear everyday.

Quality Denim

Everyone knows that jeans are a closet staple, since they go with pretty much everything. I like to try out different styles and washes for an unique look. I currently love my high wasted jeans from Delias.

Plain Shirts

I mean, what is better than a solid color shirt? They can easily be worn by themselves or layered and paired with other garments. I have to say, sometimes simple is better.

Black Dress

A black dress is a wardrobe necessity because you can wear it on any occasion. Black dresses come in several different styles, so everyone is able to find one that they love. Plus, they never go out of style as todays celebrities are sporting the look at well.

Fitted Winter Jacket

As the winter season is approaching, it’s time to bundle up. For my birthday, I got a jacket from Nordstrom that has a blue plaid print, kind of like a flannel, and a furry neckline. I think that it is absolutely adorable. There are so many types of jackets from parkas to pea coats to keep you warm when the storm rolls in.

Winter Boots

You can trudge through the snow in fashion with fuzzy winter boots. And, in case you were wondering, American Eagle also makes boot socks. Check out Roxy for my chosen boots.

Converse

Chucks are back! Literally everyone at my school owns a pair (or multiple pairs) of Converse. Since being released in 1917 as the first basketball shoe, Converse have turned into the American sporty sneaker.  Offered in various prints in high or low tops, Converse are sure to make your outfit.

Sweater

Guess what? That time of year is here where it is “sweater weather.” Not only do I love sweaters, but my sister loves them too! She has a sweater that has “sweater weather” written on it, no joke. Anyways, sweaters give you that flawless fall feel.

Leggings

Leggings are the perfect alternative for all jean haters. You can find leggings in stores everywhere! Right now, Lululemon is the most popular. Even with a major price tag, they are durable and fashionable, making every penny worth it. Ivivva, their partner, offers athletic apparel for girls of all ages including outfits for running, dancing, gymnastics, skating, and tennis.

Some of my must-haves!

That’s all that I have for you today!  Thanks and I hope that you’ll check back soon.

XOXO

Siena