beauty basics at ML

Hey there loves!

I have now completed my second guest post for my Beauty Basics column over at Mother Lovely! Once a month I stop on over there and give all the info you need on one step in your routine. 

 Photo Credits :: Mash up made by MotherLovely, drug products google

If you missed the first post (cleansing and moisturizing), see it HERE!

Photo Credits :: Mash up made by MotherLovely, drug products google

And today's post (primer's), go HERE!

Let me know what you think!

fashion haul

Hey Lovelies!

This is my first fashion haul, so I hope you enjoy! I have included as many links as possible for the products discussed :)

Target

Jason Wu for Target Flap Satchel 

Jason Wu for Target Pleated Shift Dress

Vanilla Star Leopard Print Skinny Denim

Merona Collection Back Seam Tights

H+M

Similar Front Zipper Skirt

Polka Dot Dress

F21

Similar Blazer

Sleeveless Tie Hem Shirt

Striped Belt

Noto

DBE

Train Case

What was your favorite item from my haul? Would you try leopard print denim?

little loves

Another little loves where I have to catch up on two weeks! Last week I filmed a new vlog, had date night, and went to see the bf's band play again. The night of the show, by pure happen-stance I got to see my 3 best friends (one was in town from NY) AND my 3 best blogger friends (one was in town from NY too!). That made my whole week! 

I got these amazing jeans from Target and got quite a few stares, but I don't care cause I'm obsessed! 

Can't wait till it warms up and I can style them a bit more.

It's tradition when the 4 of us (myself and my 3 best friends) are home to grab bagels before one of us leaves again. 

It's always too early and too short but I love it and I love them.

Last week I ordered the most adorable nerd glasses. They should be here by Monday, I can not wait!! 

Do you own a pair of fashion specs?

This week it was much of the same; work, date nights, and blogging. I edited the vlog I filmed last week, and it is all set to go live this week! On tuesday I got to go se the bf's band again for their annual Fat Tuesday gig at Russo's. One of the places me and Steven (bf) always talk about going is New Orleans, him for the music and I for the food. I'm not sure where my obsession for Cafe Du Monde beignets started but I got to have my first taste of them on Tuesday!

They were doughy, fried, covered in sugar, and heaven! Not to mention I had my most 

favorite food ever before this, fried green tomatoes!

I ended my week with this adorable little baby who decided to make his bed right on top of my clean clothes. 

I couldn't say no to him so I let him stay for a while.

Hope you lovelies had a great week! What was the best thing you did this week?!

lovely little recipe

Oreo Truffles (Golden)

This had to have been one of the easiest things I have ever made. As some of you lovelies may already know by now, my boyfriend has a giant sweet tooth and is a big Oreo fan. (Check

out the Mini-Oreo Cheesecakes I made for his birthday treat HERE) I made these for him as his Valentine's treat! If nothing else the ingredient list for this recipe sold me, 3 items and no oven.

You Will Need:

1 Package of Oreo's (Golden or Classic) - Crushed

(I choose Double Stuf)

1- 8oz package of Cream Cheese - Softened

1 Bag of Chocolate Chips or Melting Disks 

(I chose both Milk Chocolate + White Chocolate)

First stack your oreos in a tower and take a cute picture like so, then eat some.

Crush up your Oreo's and add in your softened cream cheese.

Use an electric mixer to mix the two together until doughy.

Let dough sit in fridge/freezer until firm.

Roll dough into roughly 1 inch balls.

Set on wax paper and return to fridge/freezer to harden.

Melt your chocolate, and dip away!

Return to wax paper and fridge/freezer.

Look how beautiful and delicious these are! I am going to make him some using the classic Oreo's next! 

These were seriously a breeze to make! Have you ever made these?!

iphone + apps

Whether you have an iPhone, Droid, iPad, or other device finding great and useful apps is always a plus! I had a few of these apps with my droid that I carried over onto my iPhone. Whenever I have the opportunity to check out other people iPhones I get right into it. I love to see how they organize their phone and apps, and of course see if there are any new apps I need. So it was no surprise to me the crazy amount  of emails I received requesting a iPhone + apps post!

I won't talk about ALL my apps because some of them are self explanatory and well it would take forever. So without further ado here is my iPhone...

Home Screen 1

Upon getting my iPhone I quickly changed around my dock. These are the four main buttons I am reaching for at all times.

GroupMe: My brother first introduced this app to me and I love it! The awesome thing about this is you don't even need a smart phone to use it. You create "Groups" of people who all send and receive each others messages. I use it for my 4 best friends so we can all talk together. You can also conference call the group as well.

The rest of this screen is pretty boring usual stuff like Facebook, Calendar, Notes, Etc. except when you get to my Photography folder...

Instagram: This doesn't really need an explanation, I just love Instagram! 

PhotoShop Express: I have yet to use this too much but its a free app and figured it might come in handy at some point, right?

Diptic: This is a photo collage app that I honestly have only used once I think. And the only app I have paid for. I hope to put it to more use this summer.

Viddy: I just downloaded Viddy this past week and it seems pretty cool! Think Instagram but for video and free of course!

Piictu: I got this app last week too and have yet to explore it too much. Basically what you do is take a picture of anything, like your morning coffee and then the thousands of other Piictu users reply with their morning coffee picture. Thought it might be fun to play around with.

Home Screen 2

Virtual Wallet: This is my mobile banking app by PNC. Virtual Wallet is an AMAZING banking tool that is free to PNC users. Seriously if you have PNC you need to use this, and if you don't have PNC you should probably switch just for this program.

Starbucks: Need I say more? I love my SB app so much! I pay for my tea every morning with my phone and then reload my balance myself though the app too!

The only apps here that don't come automatically with the iPhone are Pandora which is awesome and Vevo which allows me to watch a lot of videos the YouTube app won't pull up.

Groupon + Living Social: Both of these are amazing sites that run special group coupons. I have bought some for E.L.F cosmetics, American Apparel, and lots of local places too! Love these apps!

RL Classic: This is an app that allows you to search for the best price on an item just by scanning the barcode. I have only used it a handful of time when looking for electronics but it has been useful!

Tag: This is your standard Tag reader that I use to scan tags from magazines, cosmetics, and other items. I use it quite often!

Coupons + GeoQpons: I had both of these apps when I had my droid and I love them! I am all for a good deal and these literally have every store you can imagine. Before I check out anywhere I pull up these apps and do a quick search for a coupon and then the cashier can usually scan my phone right then and there. Everything from Loft, JCrew, Sunglasses Hut, Coach, H+M, Ulta, Olive Garden, CPK, and more!

Lucky Shopper: This just allows me to easily enter contest through Lucky Magazine with a scanner. 

Etsy + Ebay: What can I say, I love to shop!

MapQuest: As far as I know this is the only free app that will give you VOICE Commanded turn-by-turn directions. I love and NEED this app.

AroundMe: This app quickly pulls up businesses around your current location. You can search by category too. It definitely comes in handy.

SkyView: Allows me to hold my phone up to the sky at night and tell what stars/planets/ and constellations I am looking at. This is basically like your phones "party trick".

Gas Buddy: I actually use this a lot. I live and work quite a distance away from each other and usually the difference in gas price is like 30 cents or so.

Localmind: I just got this app this very evening on my brothers recommendation but it seems pretty cool. Basically you give suggestions on places based on your location. You can even ask people who around a specific location for the best coffee shop, sushi spot, etc. I need to play around a bit more but it seems pretty fun!

Home Screen 3

Fandango: I actually have no idea how or why I even have his app but I don't remember ever using it, guess I will delete it soon.

ShopStyle: I just adore this app, seriously. Say you need a red dress or some nude pumps, this app will pull up hundreds of results that take you directly to the site to buy them .You can filter by colors, prices, and more. 

Pinterest: I love Pinterest and usually if I can't fall asleep at night I just pin on my phone for a bit and before I know it I'm asleep!

Newsstand: This comes with iPhone and I wish I could get ANY real magazines through it. I have yet to see one US magazine that I would even consider getting. Mind you I have subscriptions to Allure, Glamour, and Lucy just to name a few and none of them have phone versions yet.

Sephora: Duh, I adore make-up! Also there are some great specials on this app!

Mark.Trends: I am a Mark Rep and this comes in quite handy at times! This is also for Mark customers too!

I have been waiting forever for Beautylish to come out with and app so that will eventually be on my phone soon!

So there it is, in all it's iPhone glory. This post has me wanting to re-organize a bit and get rid of a thing or two. I am always looking for new good apps so please SHARE if you know of any!

Do you use any of the same apps I do? What are your favorite apps?

beauty deal alert + giveaway winner

Thanks to the lovelies over at Nouveau Cheap I quickly signed up for Target Mobile coupons and redeemed my $2 off any Sonia Kashuk item today. I picked up this really nice brow groomer with metal comb. Some of the girls over at Nouveau got lipstick on clearance for $2.80 and ended up only paying 80 cents for it! At my Target the lipsticks were on clearance but only down to $4 something so I stuck with this pick because I have been really wanting one with a metal comb. 

Sign up for the Target Mobile coupons HERE and let me know what item you pick up!

Also a big THANK YOU to all who entered the last giveaway and CONGRATULATIONS to the winner!

why didn't i think of it thursday

It has been quite a while since I have done a "why didn't i think of it thursday" post! If you missed the first two posts check them out here and here! I really can't express how many amazing, wonderful, and brilliant ideas are floating all around Pinterest! Every time I am there I find something else that makes me say "DUH!". Simple solutions to storage issues or DIY projects that are easy and beautiful, your pins and board s could go on forever!

This little list is just a few of my favorite things I have crossed while pinning away my time. 

1. This adorable DIY stencil-pillow is from one of my favorite blogs Wit & Whistle. All you need is a sharpie fabric marker, a pillow or cover, and stencil! I am definitely going to make one of these!

2. When I first stumbled across this pin, I actually think I smacked myself in the head. Bobby pins are everywhere in my life, I leave a trail of them wherever I go. This little magnet strip inside your bathroom cabinet is positively ingenious! I'm not surprised this idea came from Super Woman.

3. I am always looking for better ways to travel with jewelry and this tops the list. Sliding your necklace chains through a straw to keep them from tangling with other jewelry, from Real Simple. 

4. I just adore this storage idea for cupcake liners. So cute I would keep mine out on the counter for decoration. Thanks to Torie Jayne for sharing her clever little idea with us.

5. Who would have thought to add a tension rod under the sink so you have more space? It's no surprise this one comes from another favorite blog Apartment Therapy. 

6. Using Google Maps to envelope your letters is seriously creative. Next letter I send out (that's headed South of me of course) is going this way. This idea came from Incredible Things.

Which idea is your favorite?

lovely little find + giveaway

When I first stumbled upon The Dedication Company and it's perfectly simple pieces I was instantly smitten! With so much flashy, gaudy jewelry everywhere these days it's always nice when you find jewelry that doesn't scream look at me, but rather whispers it. I instantly contacted Rebecca the lovely lady behind The Dedication Co. to see if she would be interested in working together and she was a total gem to work with. 

I asked Rebecca to give my readers a little background on The Dedication Company and how it began she had this to say;

"Hi! I'm Rebecca the designer/maker behind The Dedication Company. I am thankful for the partnership I've built with Lyndsey - she's such a kind and friendly person! I originally got my start in jewelry design working with gemstones and sterling silver and had another jewelry company altogether. I created one personalized piece that was featured in a major catalog for retail as well as around the internet and on television. I ended up building an entire collection around that piece which is how The Dedication Company was born. The Dedication Company launched about a year ago and has kept me so busy that I haven't had time to design for my original sterling/gemstone line. I am debuting a new pieces for that line in early March 2012. You can follow my blog for updates about both jewelry lines and to learn a little bit more about me."

I love that I could see Jennifer Aniston or Jessica Alba wearing these beautiful simple pieces. 

Especially the bottom right piece which is one of my favorites!

How sweet are these lockets that you can customize for someone by adding special tokens inside or an initial charm?

 ENTER TO WIN 

One Customized Sideways Initial Necklace in Brass

from The Dedication Co.

Valued over $33

Contest Rules:

- Head on over to The Dedication Co. and choose your favorite item.

- LIKE The Dedication Co. on Facebook

- Leave a comment below and tell me your choice + FB name + e-mail!

- Contest ends at February 20th, 2012 at 11.59 PM EST

- Winner will be announced on February 21st, 2012 on this blog and by e-mail.

- One entry per person please

One additional entry for each of the following:

- LIKE a lovely little blog on Facebook

- Subscribe to Our Simple Souls (Dedication Co.) Blog

Good Luck to all and Thank you for Entering!

little loves

Last Sunday I didn't post a little loves because I had 2 giveaways running and didn't want to overshadow them. So this weeks little loves has a little of both last week and this week mixed in. Both weeks were the usual stuff like work, date nights, and boyfriends gigs. But this weekend we headed to Columbus to see Blue Man Group, which was a blast!

1. Last Thursday I wore my red skinnies, striped shirt, and cozy blazer out to a double date with our good friends J+B.

2. The new Starbuck's Valentine cups made my whole week. So sweet!

3. Last Saturday my boyfriends band played at Paolo's (which is amazing, btw) and my friend Kae met me there.

4. My mother and I both accidentally wore pretty much the same outfit. What can you do?

5. Me and my sweetie outside his gig on break, on a surprisingly warm Akron night.

6. The cutest Valentine's candy corn ever that my mom got for me.

7. My snack I kept turning to this week was Nutella drizzled over popcorn. Talk about guilty pleasure!

8. While in Columbus this weekend we stopped at a the amazing Northstar twice! Had this grilled Barramundi fish sandwich, and I'm not sure anything else will ever top it. Unbelievable.

9. On another day in Columbus I had the home made granola ad yogurt for breakfast. It was just perfect. 

10. Funny signs all over Bucca Di Beppo in Columbus. This one says "Be a perfect hostess" with the woman exclaiming "Oh Pooh! I'm out of pineapple rings!"

valentine freebies

For the past few weeks I have been stumbling across the sweetest Valentine's all over the internet. What is even better than how amazingly adorable they are is that they are all FREE to download. I thought I would share a few of my favorite find with all of you. 

Please follow the links to be directed to the original source. 

These are just two out of the five adorable creations I am completely smitten with, that Jen from Little Sprout Creations deigned exclusively for Pizzazzerie.

Could your morning cup of joe get any sweeter on Valentine's Day then if it had one of these sleeves wrapped around it?! Amy Moss over at Eat, Drink, Chic designed these amazing printable sleeves. 

And last but not least is this cute little Elephant and it's array of little hearts. Sharon Rowan of Lemon Squeezy designed this sweet card. 

Please also keep in mind that I did not design, collaborate, or have any affiliation with the designs above, just sharing some lovely work with all of you!

I think I will be making the Burt's Bee's ones myself. 

quick question

For a while now I have been receiving e-mails in my inbox asking for help on certain things. The questions range from the perfect place to grab a martini with the girls, to the best first date option, to how to clean make-up brushes. While I was more than happy to reply immediately to the sender, and have been doing so for a while, it hit me the other day THIS is exactly the kind of stuff I should be sharing with all of you!

So from now on, any e-mail I receive that I feel as thought would help a few more of you lovelies out there I will be sharing (with the senders permission of course). 

Last week I got an e-mail from a reader named Holly who wrote to me asking for immediate brow help:

"Lyndsey,

Please HELP! I am new to the Northeast Ohio area and recently went to a local salon by my apartment and got a brow wax. It was a a total nightmare! I got burned by the wax, a RASH, and they aren't even close to the shape I was hoping for! Worst of all they made me pay after this fiasco :( I'm sure you know of a place or two that you could recommend for me, at least once the hair grows back a bit."

My heart went out to Holly immediately. A bad brow wax is in my personal opinion worse than a bad haircut. 

I was always a tweezer girl myself until about my senior year of high school when I started getting my hair professionally done on a regular basis. I started going to Lynn at Balance Pointe Salon in Stow and you could not PAY me to go to anyone else. After a while of trusting my hair over to her I finally gave over the trust of my eyebrows too and I have never looked back once.

While it may seem like a small and simple thing, eyebrows are a big deal! It takes true trained professionals to be able to see the shape in your brow and pull it out. 

If you don't live in my area try checking out a Benefit Brow Bar. Many Ulta stores have these inside, and they are trained by Benefit themselves on the art of brow shaping. If you have no luck finding one of these in your area, ask any girl who's eyebrows you think rock where they get them done and BY WHO! Seriously even a stranger! Word of mouth recommendation on this is HUGE! (Just do a quick google search on reviews for the salon before you go to some random place).

MY ADVICE for Holly + the rest of you lovelies

-As hard as it may be to grow your eyebrows back out, just stick to it. No tweezing!

-Once they start to regain some shape and fullness call and schedule an appointment ASAP. 

-Do some research, and bring in pictures of your favorite brows.

-Be realistic about your expectations. I would love to walk out of the salon with some Kardashian eyebrows but mine are just simply not as full or thick as that. 

-Trusting your eyebrow tech is key. Talk to them and tell them what you do and don't want. 

Eyebrows believe it or not say a lot about you. Thick and full eyebrows make you look younger and healthier, and even more awake!

BROW LINK LOVE

Check out this article from Beautylish on Hollywood's Most Requested Brows 

The Beauty Depeartment's Brow 101

FAVORITE BROW PRODUCTS

Anastasia Brow

E.L.F. Lifter + Filler

If you have a quick question for me PLEASE e-mail me at alovelylittleblog@gmail.com and ASK AWAY!
Subject line: QQ