What's in my bag? // Bucket Bag Edition

Hey loves! So I thought I'd do a quick post on what's in my bag. I got this mauve-pink bucket bag from an accessories shop named SIX back in January and have been OBSESSED with it since then. I use this bag almost everyday when I'm out for something casual like hanging out with friends or shopping. I am in love with the deep pink color and fringe tassels that give the bag a western feel. It's big enough to fit a lot of my necessities but sleek enough so it doesn't look bulky. So without boring y'all to death with my love letter to this bag, lets see whats inside!

The numbers are just to make it easier to locate the items listed below:

What's in my bag:

1. Gum- I always carry mint flavored gum with me. Gotta have minty fresh breath at all times!

2. Body Spray- Currently using Moonlight Path by Bath & Body Works

3. Water bottle- walking these long NYC blocks will have you feeling parched

4. Hand cream/lotion- Currently using Maine Beach Ligurian Honey (got it as a gift from my Australian cousin)

5. Card holder- I carry all my important cards like my state i.d., debit card and Metrocard in  this adorable tribal print case from icing

6. Portable charger- this awesome power card is from Triple C and a random USB cord I found in my room. This is a life saver because my I can just charge my phone on the go and it takes up no room in my bag.

7. Makeup bag- bag is from h&m (a few years old) and I carry hand sanitizer, a pack of cotton balls/Q-tips to clean off any smudges, wooden mirror compact (handmade from Bangladesh), mini claw clip, lip products and eyeliner just in case I need to touch up

8. a pen- 'cus I'm a writer, duh!

9. Alcohol pads- never know when I'll get cut! Plus I always wipe off bacteria from my phone with one of these suckers

10. Keys***- so important! I put a bunch of rewards cards and accessories on my key chain because I want to be able to locate it quickly in my bag

11. Headphones- aka my life. I need to have music during my transportation. I live in NYC and let's be real, ain't nobody wanna hear the chatter that goes on in public transportation

SIDE NOTE: What I carry in my bag changes time to time. Sometimes I carry less, sometimes I carry more. It all depends on where I'm going and how big the bag is.

I love watching what's in my bag videos and it's always interesting to see what people carry. Hope you guys enjoyed viewing what's in my bag! What's in yours? xoxo

Side Effects of being an Unemployed College Grad

Lately, being unemployed is taking a huge toll on me. I have been out of school for almost a year (May 30th will make a year) and I still haven't got good use out of my Bachelor's degree, unless you count home decor and putting it up on the wall. Womp womp

I quit my part time retail job around that time last year too. I did work a seasonal job selling merchandise at Broadway shows over the holidays, but that flew by so quickly that I don't even count it. So much free time has worked out in both positive and negative ways. I know the title of the post could be a little misleading, because the term "side effects" is usually associated in a negative sense. And so is the term "unemployed" but throughout my journey of not having a job post grad, I have to say my experience is a mix of good and bad. So I'd like to share my thoughts about how it feels to be unemployed, with pros and cons

- I get to sleep whenever I want, and sleep in every morning if I so desire
- I got to travel 
- I got to observe Ramadan (I am Muslim) in the comfort of my own home, what a relief that I didn't have to go to work or school hungry with hot breath lol
- I got to spend quality time with loved ones <3
- I got to read for fun again! F*ck textbooks
- Got to explore NYC in new ways
- Got to catch up on TV shows and movies
- Learned how to cook and absolutely love it. I truly think its my latest passion
- Slowly getting back into baking. Since I'm trying to lay off the sweets and sugar, this is occasional
- Working on getting my driver's license 
- Working on this blog :)
- Too much time to think about the future and freaking out
- Easily discouraged about not hearing back from jobs I applied to
- Setting my heart on a job application I hear back about but then disheartened when there is no progress
- Saw the true colors of some people who only stuck around when I was able to go out and spend money
- Bank account on a steady decline lol
- Penny pincher
- My mom becoming too dependent on me spending time with her
- Regretting not doing better in college
- Contemplating if I chose the right career path or not
- Thinking about going back to school for something else and freaking out the thought about restarting my life and falling behind
- Older family members pressuring me to get married -_-
- Feeling like I am not accomplishing anything

Honestly, this list could go on and on, I think to each their own and some thing that I am upset about could be a good thing for others, But to be completely straight up, the worst thing about being a college grad in NYC without a job is that it fucks with your head. Thoughts about being a failure can torture you constantly. When employers tell you that they're looking for someone with more experience it makes you think "I thought I needed a bachelor's degree to get an entry level job so that I CAN gain that experience?" Or you could beat yourself up and think "Why didn't I do more internships during college?"

I've learned that it's normal to feel this way, and I'm learning to accept it. At times it drives me to search more and work harder, and at other times it discourages me from even trying. But its okay to think like this. This is my life, my journey and my story. I have to go at my own pace and let things play out the way they're suppose to, whatever that is...

To anyone else feeling like this, you're not alone! There are soooooo many of us and the best thing for us to do is help each other stay on  our feet. Yes, the side effects of being an unemployed college grad are draining. But hell, if we got through college, we can get through this too. Keep your chin up my loves! Hope those that could relate feel better. As always, happy reading. Xoxo

Review: Menow Long Lasting Lip Gloss (From eBay)

Hey my loves! Today I'm bringing you a quick review on a lip product I stumbled upon on Instagram. I was caught up with the hype of the Lime Crime Velvetines and endlessly searching for a scam-free alternative when I saw an Instagram post claiming these long lasting lip glosses were just as good. After I checked out a few reviews, I decided to log onto eBay and purchase some of these too-good-to-be-true lip glosses.

First of all let me say that most of the reviews were comparing the Menow (or M.N) lip glosses to liquid lipsticks. This intrigued me even more because I was on a matte lip kick for the longest (along with the rest of the world.) And secondly, these are dirt cheap! I bought 2 different shades from 2 different sellers on eBay.

The first shade I bought was #18 from seller luckyauction2011 for only $1.34 with free shipping! I was so excited because this color was compared to the Lime Crime Velvetine in Cashmere. As you can see this is a pale pink/beige color which is a very daring nude on the lips.

M.N Long Lasting Lip Gloss #18

The second shade I purchased was #2 from seller shenhua20142014 for only $0.99 and free shipping! This color is a deep pink which, if you've read my earlier posts, you know I'm really into deep pinks and brownish pink lip shades.

M.N Long Lasting Lip Gloss in #2

On the left: #18
On the right: #2
Slightly wet when applied

Both shades side by side after a minute of application

At first I was thrown off by the price and the free shipping, but there's a catch to everything isn't there? The downside was that both items were shipped from China and took over a month to get delivered (I live in New York City). But once they finally got to me I couldn't wait to try them out.

Let me start off by saying that these products should be called Lip Varnish and not Gloss because they feel like paint on your lips. It dried almost instantly but to a very matte, nail polish like feel. And I'm not the type of person to apply a lip product to chapped lips, I ALWAYS MOISTURIZE FIRST! But in this case, I might as well not have because my lips instantly dried up. And taking it off is just as hard. They are not lying when they say "long lasting" because you definitely have to use a makeup remover (liquid) or even olive oil to take off this resistant formula.

I have to say I'm quite disappointed at the finish of this lip gloss. Yes it dries matte, but its TOO dry. Even a lip balm cant seep through the hard paint like texture of this gloss. Though the deal was a steal, it wasn't a win. Perhaps investing in a high end or even drug store brand liquid lipstick is worth the money because the formula would be friendly to the lips. 

These are just my opinions on the product and though I'm disappointed, I will keep them around just to play with and see if I can find a solution for make them feel comfortable on my lips. Hope y'all found this helpful if you were looking to purchase this item. As always, happy reading and Happy Mother's day to all the wonderful moms out there! xoxo

April Favorites!

Another month, another favorites! Hey guys, welcome back to my page. The month of April was a whirlwind of events. I couldn't find the time or peace of mind to blog because I had to travel out of the country for a family emergency. Needless to say it doesn't excuse my poor routine of posting every few weeks... but I'm working on it!

So as you may notice, I have less favorites this month than I did in March. Why? Because I've still been loving the items from that post lol. Since I was traveling, I couldn't take everything I usually use and so I learned how to use different products for different purposes. So let's checkout what I raved over this past month.

Freeman's Honeydew & Chamomile Facial Sleeping Mask

Since I was traveling (about 30 hours and 3 different planes), I needed a face mask to keep my skin hydrated. I usually go for traditional sheet masks and look like a ghost face killer on the plane lol but this time I decided to try out this sleeping mask from Freeman. As y'all can tell, I love Freeman products lol. I love most is how simple these masks are, especially this one because all you have to do is apply a generous amount as you would your regular moisturizer, and go to sleep with it! This isn't like other face masks where it hardens up and you have to wash it off. It's a cream formula that sinks into your skin and keeps it moisturized for several hours and you just wash it off when you wake up. I swear my skin felt like a baby's bottom.

This totally saved my skin from drying up and breaking out. I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond but I suggest trying the sample size before committing to the full size tube. Plus, it's perfect for traveling!


Exfoliating Gloves

These gloves were a lifesaver since I didn't take my loofah with me on my trip. I just thought it'd be an inconvenience where I would be staying, and I'm glad I opted out for these gloves because they

A) Saved space, I just threw em in my carry on and once I got to my destination I kept them on top of the dresser
B) I got a deep clean every time I showered because the roughness of the glove removed any dead skin cells from the surface of my body
C) They dried so quick that I didn't have to worry about leaving my personal belongings in the bathroom shared by many

I got my gloves from Rite Aid for about $3 or $4 but you can find them at any drugstore or bath and body supply store. Check out Ulta for these gloves that come in different colors

Travel Size Spray bottle

This little bottle was a lifesaver since airlines are so strict with liquid allowance. I was stressed about taking my toner bottle because it's huge and might explode in the suitcase. Not to forget, I had to prep my skin with astringent before applying the face mask. I got a pack of 3 travel size spray bottles from Deals for $1.00!!!! You seriously can't beat that. I urge y'all to check the dollar store for certain items before heading out to Ulta or Sephora because they tend to jack up prices for no reason.

I've found that I actually prefer using this spray bottle to apply my toner because its easier than shaking the big bottle and accidentally drowning a cotton pad with product and wasting it. With the spray, I can control how much product I dispense on to the cotton pad and increase the longevity of my toner. If you can save a penny, why not?!



Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil for Dry Skin

Not going to lie, at first I hated this product. It has a super strong scent to it and squirted out the bottle so fast that it would stain my clothing. But I didn't want to give up on it because I bought it to use as a makeup remover on my trip. Patience is key because now this is one of the most convenient ways I remove my makeup.

I think it works best when applied with dried fingertips onto the face, working to breakdown the makeup. I gently massage around my eyes, getting as close to the lash line as possible leaving no trace of eyeliner or mascara. A little goes a long way with this oil so I suggest not pumping it fully. Slowly press down on the pump and work with a small nickel sized amount. Follow up with your regular cleanser to wash away the oily residue.

Get yours from Target or any other drugstore



Estee Lauder Deluxe All-Over Face Compact

I feel awful that I'm mentioning something that isn't even for sale (not that I know of) but I absolutely love this blush and bronzer palette from Estee Lauder.

I got it in a gift set that my parents gave me a few years back that I never paid much attention to, but I'm glad I rediscovered it because these colors are what I live for! For an all over glow, I swish all the colors together with my ELF complexion brush and apply it all over my cheeks. I love the neutral tones in this palette and how each color stands out on its own or beautifully when mixed together.

Wet n Wild Coverall Liquid Concealer Wand

Although I bought this concealer and definitely need one to conceal my dark under eyes, I used this a an eyelid primer. I ran out of my ELF eyeshadow primer right before my trip and didn't have any time to repurchase it. This concealer has a really thick texture which worked really well on my lids and kept my eyeliner in place all day. I'm not sure if I'd use it as an under eye concealer because I think the thickness of the product would lead to major creasing throughout the day.

This is just an example of how a product can be multi-purpose. Just got to experiment and manipulate a product to your needs,

Get yours at any stores that sell Wet n Wild cosmetics. The most it should cost you is $3, and you might find that it works as a great concealer for you. Never know!





Favorite Lip Combo of the Month

This month I paired NYX soft matte lip cream in San Paulo and the Milani Easyliner Mechanical Lip liner pencil (phew, what a mouthful) in #17 Rose Pink

I had the Nyx lip cream for a while now and I adore it on its own. But when paired with the Milani lip liner (which I found at Deals for only $1.00!), this combo lasts all day and flatters any makeup look/outfit. I wore this combo almost every single day on my trip and barely had to touch it up. The lip cream is very long lasting and soft on the lips, and the liner helps the color from bleeding. I can see myself rocking this lip combo for another couple of months til I run out haha

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in Smitten Eprise

Can y'all tell I really love this lil guy? Lol

I'v been using this balm stain for years! This is actually the 2nd or 3rd one I repurchased, but I hadn't used it in a couple of months. I threw it in my travel bag because a lip stain is always essential when you want to look as natural as possible but have pigmented lips. I slapped this balm on first thing in the morning to give my lips moisture and the slightest color. It's so affordable and very long lasting. I'd say this is one of my holy grail items and I'm glad I rediscovered it.

Check out Ulta for a wide selection of the different colors that Revlon carries

Well my loves that's it for the month of April. I did get a few new goodies that I'm currently testing out so maybe they'll make the cut for next months favorites. I hope this post encouraged y'all to go shopping in your own makeup drawer to rekindle your love for products you already have but got lost in the mix. I also hope that is intrigues you to experiment with products and find different uses out of them than just their primary purpose. As always thank you for stopping by and happy reading!