Tag! This or That! + Get to Know Me

Hello Friends!

Today I thought I would do another tag! This is the "This or That" tag! If you want to see what I get up to in a normal day or what to see pictures from my day check out my Instagram (@ErinElizabeth8L).

Without further ado here is the "this or that" tag!

This or That
Blush or Bronzer: 
I like blush, if I just have foundation on I will at least add a small amount of blush just to add a little natural flushed color.

Lip gloss or Lip stick:
I prefer lip stick because it's not as sticky as lip gloss. I love lip stains though!

Eyeliner or Mascara:
Mascara! Hands down, if I don't put any other eye makeup on I will at least put on mascara.

Foundation or Concealer:
Foundation, unless I have breakouts that need to be concealed.

Neutral or Color Eyeshadow:
Neutral all the way, unless I have something super special that I want add a little color to.

Pressed or Loose Eyeshadow:
I've tried loose eyeshadow and I can say without a doubt that I would go with pressed eyeshadows any day!

Brushes or Sponges:
I've only ever tried the drugstore sponges and they don't really blend as well as brushes do. So, I would definitely go with brushes!

Nails
OPI or China Glaze:
I've actually never tried either! I've heard a lot more about OPI though.

Long or Short:
I like longer nails! Unfortunately mine like to chip and peel.

Acrylic or Natural:
For the reasons above I do prefer natural nail. I've had acrylic before and that's why my nails are so bad. :(

Brights or Darks:
I love bright colored nails! I will do darker colors on occasion, but I go for mint or coral colors!

Body
Perfume or Body Splash:
Perfume! Especially the roll ons!

Lotion or Body Butter:
I've tried both and I would definitely have to go with lotion!

Body wash or Soap:
Body wash, only because you can get so many different scents and you don't have to deal with a bar of soap just sitting around.

Lush or Other bath company:
I love the smell of Lush products, but I don't have one nearby so I do more with Bath and Body works.

Fashion
Jeans or Sweat Pants:
Jeans when I'm out and about otherwise I live in my yoga pants.

Long sleeves or Short:
Short sleeves, I get warm really easily.

Dresses or Skirts:
I like Maxi dresses, does that count?

Stripes or Plaid:
I don't really like a lot of stripes so I would have to say plaid.

Flip Flops or Sandals:
Sandals, unless I'm in a hurry or just running errands.

Scarves or Hats:
I don't look good in hats, and my dog hates when I wear one, so scarves all the way!

Studs or Dangly earrings:
I used to wear nothing but dangly earrings, but over the last few years I've been wearing studs, they just don't get in the way of anything.

Necklaces or Bracelets:
I only wear one necklace, so I would say bracelets! I have so many that I like to change up my look.

Heels or Flats:
Flats, I'm not coordinated enough to wear heels.

Jacket or Hoodie:
Hoodies, just for the comfort factor!

Hair
Curly or Straight:
I have straight hair that doesn't hold a curl at all!

Bun or Ponytail:
I go for either a top knot bun or a sock bun.

Bobby pins or Butterfly clips:
Bobby pins! They hold hair so much nicer. Do butterfly clips still exist?

Hairspray or Gel:
Hairspray! Does anyone really like the crispy gel hair anyway?

Long or Short:
Right now I really like my hair long. I've tried short hair, but I never liked it.

Light or Dark:
Again, I've done both and I can honestly say I love my blonde hair! Although there are days when I miss my dark hair.

Side sweep bangs or Full bangs:
I do side sweep my bangs when I first get my hair cut, but after a few weeks I have full bangs. So, I guess I just go with it.

Up or Down:
Normally I wear my hair down. I have to have it up for work, so when I'm not working I like having it down.

Random
Rain or Shine:
It really depends on my mood. I love the sunshine, but I really like falling asleep to a nice thunder shower.

Summer or Winter:
Summer, only because my birthday is in the summer, and I live in the midwest where winters just suck.

Autumn or Spring:
I really like autumn! The trees changing colors and the crispness in the air.

Chocolate or Vanilla:
Again, this one depends on my mood.

Kim, Kortney, or Khloe:
I don't really have much of an opinion on this one, but I would say probably Khloe.

Coffee or Tea:
I love my tea, but if I want a little something extra I go for the espresso!

Well, I hope y'all enjoyed this little tag! Now it's your turn! Comment down below with your blog so I can see what y'all would choose!
We'll see what comes tomorrow! Let me know what y'all would like to see. I might do a come along with me, but stick tight for next week! I have another great recipe coming your way, more beauty posts, more lifestyle, and another #RealTalk!
xoxo -Erin

#RealTalk + Happiness

Hello Friends!

Last week on #RealTalk I mentioned body shaming, the way society tells women they have to look is ridiculous. I say as long as you're healthy and happy with who you are, why should someone dictate how you need to look or even act?

So, this week I thought I'd talk about happiness!
I struggled a lot with being happy, mainly because I always looked at myself as not being good enough! Guess what! You are good enough! Just the way you are!! I'm not a size 2 and I know I never will be, but I am happy with who I am! I workout, I eat healthy, I enjoy life, I have friends, but most importantly I have God!
Yes, society will try and tell you how to live your life, but true happiness comes from within! Just do what makes you feel good! Personally, I like to draw and run and listen to music. I also know that, for me, prayer plays a huge part in my life!
Another thing that makes me happy is being around people who encourage me. I have a lot of friends who are smaller than me and they don't see me any differently. They look beyond what society looks at, they look at me for who I am! So, get out there and BE YOU! Love yourself, be happy with who you are and before you know it, society won't be able to dictate your happiness!

I hope y'all post what you want to hear about in next week's #RealTalk! Tomorrow I'm coming back with another tag so stay tuned for that! Have a great night!
xoxo -Erin

April NatureBox: Review

Hello Friends!

A couple weeks ago I posted about NatureBox, now this is my second full size box and I can honestly say I love it!

Naturebox.com

Basically, NatureBox is a monthly subscription box with over 100 healthy and delicious snack choices. You can choose your snacks or you can just be surprised every month.
(Note: I lost the picture I took of my April box, so this is one from March)
I have my pantry loaded with all kinds of snacks so in April's box I chose what snacks I wanted sent. It was a box full of blueberry goodness. So, here are the snacks I got last month! Blueberry Almond Bites, Blueberry Nom Noms, Jalapeño White Cheddar Popcorn, Dark Chocolate Pretzel Pops, and Blueberry Greek Yogurt Pretzels.
I absolutely love the blueberry pretzels! Basically, I like all of the blueberry snacks I got! I highly recommend anyone who loves snacking to sign up for NatureBox! One of the best parts about NatureBox, other than the 100+ snack options, you can choose how often you receive these boxes! You can get one every other week, every month, or every few months! Super affordable and super tasty! What's better than getting a box delivered to your door every month?

I hope y'all are thinking about getting one of these boxes for yourself! Just click the link under the photo and get signed up! Tune in tomorrow for another episode of #RealTalk! and remember to like this post and follow my blog for more lifestyle and beauty posts!
 xoxo -Erin

What's In My Bag: Makeup Edition! + Finished Look

Hello Friends!

Last week I had a lot of response to my makeup favorites. So, this week I wanted to show you what I have in my makeup bag. A lot of these are in my favorites post, but I also put together a photo collage of my Urban Decay look.

Starting from the top left:
These are all the products that are in my makeup bag from prepping my face to finishing my look.

I like using the Simple soothing toner because it's so refreshing. I then use the Origins No Puffery I roll on gel, super cooling and my eyes feel less tired. I also use the Origins GinZing moisturizer, not only is lightweight, but also has a nice citrus sent. The finishing touch is my Smashbox photo finish primer.
I use the Rimmel Match Perfection concealer under my eyes and any spots that I have. I also use the Benefit They're Real eye liner along with the Maybeline Great Lash and Real Impact mascaras.
For brushes, I love the Real Technique line! I have the powder brush, contour brush, and the buffing brush for my face. For my eyes I have the base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush, shading brush, and the eyebrow brush. I also use my BareMinerals crease brush to blend my shadow. I use the Sephora brush (#73) for my blush.
For my face, I go for the Urban Decay foundation, flushed and basics palettes. The Anastasia brow duo powder and to set my look I use the Rimmel London Stay Matte powder.

My makeup look! Top is no makeup at all, then going from left to right: foundation layer, highlight and contour, blush, base eyeshadow, and finally full eyeshadow with liner and mascara! I love the cat eye flick right now.

I hope y'all liked this look and enjoyed what I have in my makeup bag! If y'all did enjoy this give this post a like follow my blog for more beauty and lifestyle posts!
Tomorrow I'm going to do a review of my NatureBox from April!
xoxo -Erin

Loaded Nachos!

Hello Friends!

As I mentioned yesterday, I wanted to share a delightful recipe I found on Pinterest a few weeks back. I found this recipe on Oh My Veggies! (http://ohmyveggies.com) an all vegetarian blog site!

What You'll Need!

2-3 large sweet potatoes, washed and sliced thin.
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Salt & pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 large diced avocado
Sour cream or Greek yogurt (I personally love Greek yogurt)

How to do it!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place sweet potato rounds on a large baking sheet. Don't crown the pan (you may need more than one). Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and season. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the rounds and bake for an additional 10 minutes until potatoes are crisp.
3. Remove from the oven and sprinkle cheese and black beans all over the sweet potatoes. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove pan from oven and top with green onions, cilantro, avocado, and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Serve immediately! 

Click the link above to check out more recipes from Oh My Veggies! I've tried quite a few of them and they are amazing! Remember to check back tomorrow for a look at what's inside my makeup bag and a couple of looks I do with my makeup essentials. 

xoxo -Erin

For the Girls ❤️

Hello Friends!

In honor of Mother's Day I wanted to post one of my favorite bible verses!
This verse is for all the girls out there! You are all beautiful and amazing.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue"
Proverbs 31:25-26 (NIV)

In all you do, do it for The Lord! I'm so blessed to have women in my life who love The Lord, who have taught me so much! Many of these women really are clothed in strength and dignity because the are filled with Christ's love!

I hope all the mothers reading this enjoyed today with their families! For girls out there like me and have a four legged furry baby, I hope you enjoyed cuddles and kisses! All in all I just hope y'all had an amazing day and know how beautiful y'all are!

Happy Mother's Day, once again! See y'all tomorrow for one of the tastiest sweet potato recipes I've tried, so far! I think y'all will like this one!
xoxo -Erin

TAG! Get To Know Me Better!

Hello Friends!

Today I want to do a tag I found on a blog by Vogue Infatuation (http://vogueinfatuation.com/category/home/ <-- Check her out here). Basically, I want y'all to get to know me better and this is a fun way to do it.

What was your favorite subject at school? I majored in History, but I enjoyed printmaking.
What is your favorite drink? Herbalife lemon tea!
What is your favorite song at the moment? It's a tie between Oceans and Devotion by Hillsong.
What is your favorite food? I like veggie burgers.
What is the last thing you bought? Coffee.
Favorite color? I like blues and purples.
Do you have any pets? I own one dog named Murphy, but we have 4 other family pets (2 dogs, Shadow and Molly, and 2 cats, KC and Bronte.)
Favorite perfume? Marc Jacobs Dasiy
Are you married? No
Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times? I went to Canada and Mexico when I was younger with family and then I went to Ireland for a semester abroad.
Do you speak any other languages? I took Spanish in high school and German for two years in college.
How many siblings do you have? One sister, one brother, and a half brother.
What is your favorite shop? Old Navy and Sephora
Favorite YouTuber? Connor Franta, Zoella, Tanya Burr, Ingrid, Gabriella Lindley
Favorite TV show? I like Netflix ;)
PC or Mac? Mac, I've had PCs before and didn't really like them.
What phone do you have? iPhone 5s
Where were you 3 hours ago? I was at work.
Is there anything pink within your reach? My computer case and my bracelet.
When is the last time you went to the mall? I was there on Wednesday.
Have you been to the movies in the past week? Nope! I haven't been to the movies in a long time.

I hope this gave y'all a little bit more information about me! Tomorrow I'm going to try a photo blog, but stay tuned for next Friday where I might do another tag! I also have a special post for Sunday and a recipe to share with y'all on Monday!
xoxo -Erin