Update

Okay...so I know ya'll are wondering, "Where are all the DIY projects she promised?!" I'm currently working on enough items to open my own etsy.com store! Etsy is a website to buy & sell all things handmade. I want to design & create so many things & have a lot of great ideas. I'll definitely link my store in a future post. I'm really excited about it!

I've been a busy bee at the dance studio all week. I choreograph dances before going to the studio to instruct students. When I open my Etsy store I'll spend my days working on projects & YouTube videos before work. I have a lot to do!

I was gonna start the P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program but injured my leg muscle dancing Monday night. I should be able to start this upcoming week. I've been drinking lots of water & eating healthier. I'll keep ya'll updated on my fitness routine & hopefully be able to stick with it!

I've totally been craving Olive Garden's fresh salad with warm garlic breadsticks lately! Doesn't it look delicious?! Maybe my babylove can take me there really soon ♥ Yummy...

XOXO ♥

mark.com Products Haul/Review

I recently purchased & received skincare products from mark.com & decided I would do a haul/review. These are the products I chose & have been using daily:

That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser: This soap-free cleanser banishes pore cloggers & I love how gentle it is on my sensitive skin ♥ It's blended with black willow bark extract to promote a clear & smooth surface & sugar maple to boost skin's natural exfoliation. I also love the fresh scent! I wash my face twice daily (morning & night) and three times when I workout.

Berry Grand Super Exfoliating Beads: This product contains cranberry & pomegranate seeds combined with apricot seed powder & oil-absorbing rice powder. I definitely don't like the smell but do like how I can control the amount of beads I mix with the cleanser & how it gently massages my face. I use the exfoliating beads at least once a day.

Get Clearance Anti-Acne Blemish Treatment Gel: I LOVE this stuff ♥ This product contains salicylic acid with a powerful mix of black willow bark & sugar cane to keep excess oil under control. It goes on clear & doesn't leave my skin dry. I've definitely seen results after using this for only a few days. Hopefully, I'll continue to see improvements! I apply the gel twice daily (morning & night).

For my first ever YouTube video I've decided to recreate a celebrity inspired look. I've chosen two of Nina Dobrev's Seventeen Magazine photos & I'm gonna incorporate both of the looks into one. I love the total look from photo #1 (hair, makeup, outfit, & accessories). I love her big chunky ring & nails from photo #2. I think Nina is so gorgeous ♥

I'm gonna record the video Friday & hopefully have it edited & published by Saturday. I'll definitely keep ya'll posted!

XOXO ♥

Fall Must-Haves

I love layering & these are the perfect pieces for when the weather gets cooler ♥ Here are a few cover-ups (and a really cute pair of ballet flats) from Victoria's Secret I want for Fall:

Sequin Bed Jacket (Gold): $89.50 found here.

Striped Dolman Crewneck (Uniform Navy): $58 found here.

Cotton & Cashmere Cozy Open Cardigan Sweater (Chocolate Cherry Heather): $58 found here.

Report Jeweled Flat (Black): $69 found here.

XOXO,

August Faves ♥

Okay, so I know I'm a bit late but I wanted to share my favorites for August. These are hair/makeup products I recently purchased & have been using daily:

Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness smoothing leave-in creme: This conditioning anti-frizz potion is fused with extracts of mandarin balm & pearls. The nourishing moisturizers leave my strands smooth all day long & has a yummy scent!


Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly mousse for easy tousling: This stuff smells like wild violet & pomegranate! It's really lightweight & doesn't leave my hair crunchy which I love ♥


Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly tousling spray gel: This frizz blasting spray gel keeps my hairstyle messy without being sticky. It leaves my hair soft & touchable!


Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly flexible style hairspray: This stuff has a fabulous violet splash fragrance & flexible formula that leaves my tousled hair touchable...not stiff. It's definitely my fave hairspray!


Leighton Meester uses the Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly collection & I love her hair ♥

Hard Candy Kaleyedescope Baked Eyeshadow Duo in Ab Fab: It's a perfect palette of highly pigmented wet/dry shadow baked on a terracotta disk to preserve color. It instantly brings color to my eyes & is only $6.00 at Walmart!


Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes fiberized lash weave mascara in Divine Purple: It lengthens & volumizes my lashes with a tint of purple that really makes my brown eyes pop. I heart this stuff ♥ and it's only $9.00 at Walmart! I didn't see this product on the Hard Candy or Walmart websites so maybe it's only sold in select stores.

I've also been burning a Mainstays Sweet Pea scented candle everyday that I purchased at Walmart which makes my room smell really good. Let me know your August favorites!

XOXO,
Jenroxursox

Inspiration

I've been in such a lazy mood today & just wasn't motivated to do anything! I bummed around the apartment after instructing a gymnastics class this afternoon. I decided to search the Internet for inspiration & made a collage of my fave photos:

Ashley Olsen: I've always loved her style (even more than Mary-Kate's) & adored the ballerina inspired dress she was wearing. So chic!

Carousel & the Eiffel Tower: I'm such a kid at heart & would love to ride fairytale-like white horses 'round & 'round. I've always wanted to visit Paris, too. It would be so romantic!

Mermaids Under the Sea: This photo reminded me of a compliment I received from my little niece, Sadie, as she played with my long curly hair..."You look just like a mermaid!" It was the best compliment ever!

Seashells: The beach is the most relaxing place I've ever been. It's very peaceful & allows me to reflect on everything going on in my life.

The last four photos are so girly & vintage inspired which is totally my style! I've been obsessed with watching Youtube videos this whole week. I'm actually thinking about recording & uploading videos to my channel with hair/makeup tutorials, hauls, & more. Comment below if you have any requests/suggestions for my first video!

40 Beauty FAQS

Skincare:

1. How many times do you wash your face daily?
-I usually wash my face twice daily...once in the morning & at night before I go to bed. If I workout during the day, my face gets an extra cleansing.

2. Which skin type do you have: dry, oily, or combination?
-Oily & very prone to breakouts.

3. What is your current facial wash?
-I'm washing my face with Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Cleanser but I just ordered new facial products from meetmark.com that I can't wait to try out!

4. Do you exfoliate?
-I usually don't but I'm definitely gonna start when my new facial products arrive in the mail.

5. What brand do you use to exfoliate?
-I will be using mark Berry Grand Exfoliating Beads with my cleanser.

6. What moisturizer do you use?
-Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Moisturizer.

7. Do you have freckles?
-Nope!

8. Do you use eye cream?
-No but I probably should.

9. Do you have acne prone skin?
-Unfortunately. Maybe the new facial products will be a success!

10. Did you ever have to use Proactive?
-I've tried a lot of different products including Proactive & didn't like that I couldn't go to the local drugstore to get it. The products had to be mailed & my skin wasn't improving so I didn't reorder.



Makeup:

11. What brand of foundation do you use?
-Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in Sandy Beige.

12. What brand of concealer do you use?
-Cover Girl Fresh Complexion in Light/Medium.

13. Do you know your undertone color?
-Yes...I have a warm undertone which looks great with purple (my fave color)!

14. What do you think about fake eyelashes?
-I usually don't wear them because I love my natural lashes.

15. Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
-Yep!

16. What brand of mascara do you use?
-Cover Girl Lash Blast in Black or Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush in Blacktastic. I just purchased Hard Candy's 1,000 Lashes fiberized lash weave mascara in Divine Purple. I can't wait to try it out & think the purple will make my eyes pop!

17. Which do you prefer: Sephora or MAC?
-MAC but I don't have the money to purchase the products!

18. Do you have a MAC Pro card?
-Nope!

19. What tools do you use in makeup application?
-Brushes & cosmetic wedges (sponges).

20. Do you use a base/primer for your eyes?
-No but I definitely need to start.

21. Do you use a base/primer for your face?
-Nope!

22. What is your favorite eyeshadow?
-Almay intense i-color trio for browns or Hard Candy Kal-eye-descope Baked Eyeshadow in Ab Fab.

23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
-I usually use a pencil on my upper lash line but not the bottom. Sometimes I use a liquid liner.

24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
-Hardly ever!

25. What do you think about pigmented eyeshadow?
-I've never tried any.

26. Do you use mineral makeup?
-Nope!

27. What is your favorite lipstick?
-Hard Candy Painted Lady in Flirt.

28. What is your favorite lip gloss?
-Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush, if I wear any. I usually just use Softlips lip balm.

29. What is your favorite blush?
-Cover Girl Cheekers in Plumberry Glow.

30. Do you buy your makeup on eBay?
-Nope!

31. Do you like drugstore makeup?
-I love drugstore makeup! It's inexpensive & in most cases as good as the expensive stuff!

32. Do you go to cosmetic company outlets?
-I've never been to any.

33. Have you ever considered taking makeup classes?
-Yes! I really want to take distance learning courses from Elite Makeup to become a professional makeup artist in the future.

34. Are you clumsy when putting on makeup?
-Not really. I'm usually very careful.

35. Name a makeup crime you hate:
-Ughh...shaved & drawn on eyebrows!

36. Do you prefer colorful or neutral shades of makeup?
-Both but I usually wear pink or purple eyeshadow which is colorful.

37. Which celebrity always has great makeup?
-Lauren Conrad. Her makeup is always glowy & very natural looking.

38. Do you think you look good without any makeup on?
-I feel that I look better with makeup on but love the feeling of a naked face. My boyfriend prefers me without.

39. In your opinion, what is the best makeup line?
-Recently, Hard Candy. I've bought a few products from that brand lately!

40. What do you think about makeup?
-Makeup is really fun & a great way to express your personality!

Polyvore Contest

The New Femme Chic With Ann Taylor


I entered this set in Polyvore's Contest: The New Femme Chic with Ann Taylor. Each entry had to include two items from Ann Taylor's Fall 2010 collection. I absolutely love edgier details mixed with soft fabrics ♥

From the new collection I chose...

Cotton Tank with Grosgrain Bow Bib


Pearl Cluster Pave Ball Necklace


Pearl Flower Cocktail Ring


Perfect Leopard Clutch


I've been sick all weekend so I haven't done any DIY projects, yet. I'll try to do some this week & post pictures!

And I Will Find A Way To You If It Kills Me

I'm gonna be MIA for the weekend because there are some DIY projects I wanna do. I'll definitely post pictures of them when they're finished! Here is my Polyvore set for August featuring Leighton Meester:

Have a great weekend (:

Polyvore

I haven't been on Polyvore in forever! I definitely wanna start creating at least one set a month. Here are some designs from my 2009/2010 collections:

Think You'll Be Getting This? [Hilary Duff, April 2010]

Uptown Girl [Brittany Murphy, January 2010]

Party Dress [Blake Lively, November 2009]

Just One Night Couldn't Be So Wrong... [July 2009]

If you have a Polyvore account please add me as a contact ♥

From This Moment...

I'm so excited about planning my wedding! My boyfriend & I want to get married on our 1 year anniversary which is April 29th, 2011. I know we haven't been together for very long but we can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together ♥ www.theknot.com is a great website for planning my dream wedding & has so many ideas! I'm such a hopeless romantic & want our wedding to be vintage inspired. His favorite color is green & mine is purple so we decided those would be our wedding colors. These are some of my ideas...

I'm absolutely in love with this Lasara wedding dress from Watters ♥ This silk taffeta strapless gown with a silk organza skirt is embellished with ruched flowers & cotton beaded thread embroidery. The sweetheart neckline is so cute! I actually prefer it in ivory rather than the traditional white.

Since my hair is naturally curly, a romantic low ponytail with loose curls & a cute accessory would be the perfect hairstyle but my boyfriend loves when I wear my hair down. The second hairstyle is a great compromise -- curled, half up, half down with a braid on the side. Hmm...there's so many choices!

My little sister will be Maid of Honor so I want her to stand out from the rest of our wedding party. This silk floral printed cocktail length dress in Blue Blossom by Alfred Angelo is perfect!

The bridesmaids will be wearing a strapless cotton sateen cocktail length dress in Orchid (which is a purple shade & different color than the dress shown) by Alfred Angelo.

My niece, Sadie, will be the flower girl. This satin organza tea length dress by Alfred Angelo is so adorable! The bodice & flowers in Petunia (which is a pink shade) will match the flowers on the maid of honor's dress. The sash & skirt will be in ivory to match my wedding dress.

I want to incorporate both of these cakes into one. The top tier will be decorated with vines & butterflies in our wedding colors to cut. The bottom tiers will have delicious cupcakes in the same flavor & icing as our wedding cake for guests to enjoy. We still haven't decided on a cake & icing flavor!

Butterflies will be an ongoing theme in our wedding. A butterfly is seen as a personification of a person's soul. Two butterflies flying together are a symbol of love ♥ Butterflies also symbolize rebirth into a new life. This theme will be incorporated into accessories, bouquets, cake & cupcakes, invitations, & programs. I also want to release two butterflies during our ceremony.

For our honeymoon, we wanna go to Disneyland & the Bahamas...both places we've never been. There's a place there called Harbour Island that has pink sandy beaches I can't wait to visit!

DIY: Ballerina Inspired

I've been inspired to design & create so many things lately. I definitely need another job to support my never ending creative habit. Here are a few designs I can't wait to try:

These shoes are absolutely adorable! They're simply Capezio ballet slippers adorned with silver studs. I would love to design & create a similar pair using jewels in assorted colors & shapes for a much cheaper price ♥

Bona Drag Studded Ballet Slippers: $48 found here.

These La Voleuse Custom Ballet Shoes are so cute! I love the tattoo inspired designs ♥ These shoes are no longer available so I really want to recreate them!

This DIY voluminous Ballerina tutu is so chic & girly. Very Carrie Bradshaw ♥

Directions found here.

Day Dreaming ♥

I'm feeling much better after talking to my boyfriend ♥ I have such big dreams for my future & can't wait for them all to come true! I'm gonna be continuing my education at Wayne Community College during the spring 2011 semester for an Associate in Arts Degree. I'm also gonna take basic sewing & jewelry courses so I can learn to design & create my own clothing & accessories. I also want to complete distance learning courses from Elite Makeup to become a professional makeup artist. Eventually, I would love to own a business including a bakery/coffee shop, boutique, & dance studio.

The bakery/coffee shop would serve a variety of sweet treats such as bagels, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, ice cream, & muffins. Beverages would include bottled water, brewed coffee, Espressos, Frappuccinos, milkshakes, smoothies, & yogurt parfaits. Very yummy!

The boutique would include clothes & accessories created & designed by me as well as screen printed tanks, short & long sleeved shirts, hoodies, shorts, & sweatpants. Other cute items would also be sold.

I would also like to have a space for a couple of tanning beds & a room for makeup appointments & supplies.

The dance studio would offer ballet, clogging, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, pointe, & tap. I would also love to offer a variety of exercise classes for adults.

I've never been more excited about my future! I wouldn't be able to do any of this without my very supportive boyfriend ♥ He's such a great motivator & wants nothing but the best for me!

Taylor Swift Inspired Outfit

I adore Taylor Swift's style ♥ Her outfits have a vintage feel, which I absolutely love! I totally wish I had the money for some retail therapy right now. I definitely need a pick-me-up with everything that has been going on in my life lately!

Romantic Lace Dress: $19.80 found here.

Corral Turquoise Leather Inlay Cowgirl Boots: $229.99 found here.

Heart Charm Necklace: $6.80 found here.

Triple Floral Ring: $3.80 found here.