Link Love: February 22-28

New York City Apartment Update [Katie's Bliss]


10 Layering Hacks That Will Forever Change Your Winter Style [Fab Sugar]

Baby on the Way? Get Inspired by These Sophisticated Nurseries [Domaine Home]

Rebecca Minkoff Discusses Her Fall/Winter 2015 Collection [Huffington Post]

Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies [Tutti Dolci]

The 5 Biggest Red-Carpet Hair Trends Of The Season [Refinery 29]

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: February 2015

Can't Stop (Feat. Kanye West) by Theophilus London // Rituals Cosmetics Miracle Scrub in Ginseng & Ginkgo Biloba // Miss Dior Eau de Parfum // Redken Iron Shape 11 Thermal Protecting Spray // FarmHouse Fresh Fluffy Bunny Shea Butter Hand Cream // What Jackie Taught Us by Tina Smith Flaherty // Trader Joe's Sea Salt Brownie Petites

Can't Stop (Feat. Kanye West) by Theophilus London: My friend recently introduced me to Theophilus London's music and it's all I've been listening to lately. I can never turn down a good Kanye song so this has been on constant repeat.

Rituals Cosmetics Miracle Scrub in Ginseng & Ginkgo Biloba: I received this scrub in my December GLOSSYBOX and I've been using it every few days before bed since receiving it followed up with my new FarmHouse Fresh hand cream.

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum: This would definitely be categorized as my signature scent since I wear it almost everyday. I didn't have it for a few months but recently got a new bottle and I can see this being a perfume I wear for years to come.

Redken Iron Shape 11 Thermal Protecting Spray: What really drew me to this was the classic 'salon hair' scent and while I'm not sure what the determining factors would be for whether or not this actually protects my hair from my blowdryer and straightener, it certainly makes my hair smell nice!

FarmHouse Fresh Fluffy Bunny Shea Butter Hand Cream: We recently started carrying this line at work and I was hooked the second I used a tester. The Fluffy Bunny scent is my favorite (Rainbow Road is a close second) and the hand cream is moisturizing and non-greasy.

What Jackie Taught Us by Tina Smith Flaherty: My best friend Sam gave this to me for my birthday and I've been reading a few pages every night before bed this month. As you may know, Jacqueline Kennedy is my namesake and has had a profound influence on my life. This book covers lessons she has given the world on style, class, poise and grace.

Trader Joe's Sea Salt Brownie Petites: I'm constantly switching between wanting something sweet and something salty but these satisfy both cravings. They're super rich and you only need one or two to satisfy a late night chocolate craving.

It's been a very snowy month in Boston filled with plenty of good and a few bad times. Two highlights of the month included speaking for the second year in a row at the Her Conference: High School by Her Campus on the 7th as well as turning 20 on the 10th!

Review: Proactiv+ 80 Days Check-In

Before Proactiv+

It's the final check-in on my progress with Proactiv+! If you missed my 30 days or 60 days check-in, make sure to go back and give them a read. I think that all together, this line has done my skin a lot of good. I've seen the most improvements in hyper pigmentation reduction, reduced appearance of pores around my nose and I've barely had any breakouts since I begin using Proactiv+ about 80 days ago.

80 days in

Overall, I think that this line has done a great job of clearing up my skin with very few negative side effects.

I partnered with Proactiv+ through the Her Campus Blogger Network but am not being influenced by any opinions but my own.

Beauty Sales Week of February 22nd

Gilt:

• The Beauty Boutique (Sale begins 9pm ET 2/22)
• Burberry Fragrances (Sale begins Noon ET 2/25)

HauteLook:

• Dermelect Cosmeceuticals, Tini Beauty Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/22)
• Brilliance New York Hair Tools Blowout: Up to 90% Off (Sale begins 4pm PT 2/22)
• #ManiMonday: Red Carpet Manicure, eScala Sonic Beauty System, Skinn Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/23)
• Pur Minerals (Sale begins 8am PT 2/24)
• Mario Badescu, Rouge Bunny Rouge Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/25)
• Billion Dollar Brows, Boo-Boo Cover-Up, Brush On Block Sunscreen (Sales begin 8am PT 2/26)
• LORAC, Wink Lash and Brow Serum (Sales begin 8am PT 2/27)
• Donna Bella 24K & Caviar Skincare, VIOlife (Sales begin 8am PT 2/28)

MYHABIT:

• Guerlain (Sale begins 8:30am PT 2/22)
• Inspired Scents: Designer Fragrances, Natural Beauty: Makeup Feat. Le Métier de Beaute (Sales begin 9am PT 2/24)
• Designer Fragrances Feat. Gucci, Necessity Skincare, NuFace Skincare Treatments, NYCSkincare (Sales begin 9am PT 2/25)
• New Arrivals: Skincare Feat. philosophy (Sale begins 9am PT 2/26)
• About Face: Makeup Palettes & More, Made in France: Payout (Sales begin 9am PT 2/27)
• Expert Beauty: Makeup, Haircolor & More (Sale begins 9am PT 2/28)

Rue La La:

• Quench Dry Skin: Rejuvenating Beauty Picks (Sale begins 11am ET 2/24)
• Morphe Makeup Brushes & Tools (Sale begins 11am ET 2/26)

Quote du Jour: Iris Apfel

You have to look in the mirror and see yourself. If it feels good, then I know it’s for me. I don’t dress to be stared at, I dress for myself 

 What’s my style is not your style and I don’t see how you can define it. It’s something that expresses who you are in your own way.

I think jewelry can change an outfit more than anything else. Transformation, punch, individuality One or all of the above are why you should wear jewelry.

Review: January 2015 GLOSSYBOX

Skin & Co Roma Sicilian Light Serum: This Italian beauty brand, centered on the undiscovered beauty properties of the delectable truffle mushroom, utilizes potent skin-renewing ingredients in its skincare collection. This brightening serum is formulated to correct imperfections while softening and tightening skin with collagen-boosting active ingredients. 

Teeez Trendy Cosmetics Beautiful Flat Brush Stiff: Made of premium quality hair and fitted with rounded edges, this soft shadow and liner brush features smooth, firm bristles which flawlessly apply powder and cream formulas to both upper and lower eyelids. 

Kueshi Revitalizing Face Toner: This beauty secret from spain promises to rebalance skin with a blend of liquid moisturizers like aloe leaf and flower extracts. Designed to control shine in oily-prone areas and soften dry spots, this toner will leave skin feeling fresh and perfectly clean. 

Vichy Pureté Thermale 3-in-1 One Step Cleanser: Vichy's multifunctional, on-the-go formula acts as a cleansing milk, toner and make-up remover in one. Named 2014's Best Cleanser for Normal Skin by Allure's Best of Beauty, it features a creamy, yet lightweight formula designed to leave skin purified and thoroughly cleansed-with or without water. 

Lollipops Eye Pencil in Goodbye Moon: This retractable midnight black pencil features a long-lasting, intense formula with a metallic finish. Enriched with vitamin E to nourish the delicate skin around the eye area, it is also super smudgable for an on-the-go smokey eye. 

Tech Talk: Tripda

Tripda is a new matching platform between drivers offering rides and passengers looking to go the same way. Founded in 2014, Tripda's mission is to mainstream ride-sharing, making it a viable, lucrative, and safe transportation method. As a global platform, Tripda is rapidly expanding throughout North America, Latin America, and Asia, available in 13 total countries with 100+ employees worldwide.

Tripda allows you to save & make money by taking and offering rides through their platform. For drivers, you can cut toll, gas and other travel expenses and for passengers, these rides are a much cheaper alternative to most other forms of transportation including air, rail, bus and even driving alone. Tripda is a quick, convenient and safe service that's also eco-friendly, reducing gas consumption, pollution and the number of empty cars on the road.

Tripda is not just a platform, but a community as well, making it easy to find the ideal travel companion based on a common route, forging friendships along the way. Upon creation of your Tripda profile, you can fill out a quick survey about your preferences when it comes to food, music, pets and smoking both as a driver and as a passenger on a Tripda ride. You can easily weed out incompatible preferences to find a like-minded driver and passenger who can transform what would have been a lonely trip into one with a new friend! You can even filter drivers and passengers by affiliation with a certain community such as a university or company and even check if you have mutual Facebook friends.

This post is brought to you by Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. 

image credits: tripda.com

Beauty Sales: Week of February 15th

Gilt:

• The Beauty Boutique (Sale begins 9pm ET 2/15)
• Hair Care by Klorane, Thairapy 365 & More (Sale begins Noon ET 2/17)
• Pro Beauty Tools Feat. Nuface (Sale begins Noon ET 2/18)

HauteLook:

• Hera Hair Tools, SpaLife Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/15)
• Presidential Steals: Beauty Must-Haves Up to 80% Off (Sale begins 4pm PT 2/15)
• #ManiMonday: Dashing Diva Nail Art, Mirenesse Australia (Sales begin 8am PT 2/16)
• Fragrances $25 & Under, Skin Nutrition (Sales begin 8am PT 2/17)
• DermaNew, Eva NYC, Sugar Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 2/18)
• Appeal Cosmetics: Lips & Mink Lashes, PurePressed Essential Oils (Sales begin 8am PT 2/19)
• Mally Beauty, Onsen Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/20)
• La Femme Actuelle Diamond Infused Skincare, Simply Spoiled Cosmetics, truDERMA (Sales begin 8am PT 2/21)

MYHABIT:

• Up to 80% Off: Skincare, Haircare & More (Sale begins 3:30pm ET 2/15)
• Beauty Classics Feat. Estée Lauder & Clinique, Kelly Van Gogh (Sales begin 8:30am ET 2/19)
• Skincare Tools by Trophy Skin (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/20)
• Look & Feel Your Best: Body Care Products (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/21)

Link Love: February 8-14

Planning Your Perfect Morning [Ingrid Nilsen]


Kerry Washington On How To Be More Like Olivia Pope [Refinery 29]

Mascara Tears, A History [Refinery 29]

"Me Regime": Self-Care When You're Stressed Out [Career Contessa]

The Challenge of Pursuing Meaningful Work When You Need to Work [Levo League]

The Rules of Style by Marcia Brady [Man Repeller]

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2015: For Him

Paul Smith Mini Dot Tie // WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie Kennedy Money Clip Wallet // Edible Arrangements Will You Be My Valentine Gift // Billykirk Small Leather Box // Baxter of California Hard Cream Pomade

Last week, I shared with you my gift guide for the woman in your life, so it only seemed fair to do a gift guide for the man in your life as well.

Outfit: 20th Birthday

Top: H&M // Leggings: Lululemon // Earrings: H&M // Shoes: Steve Madden

Yesterday, I celebrated my 20th birthday. To be able to say I'm in my twenties is absolutely insane even though they just started. My birthday celebration started on Saturday with a surprise early birthday dinner at Top of the Hub in Boston. I had the most delicious filet mignon with gnocchi and the absolute best time with 4 of my best friends. 

School ended up being cancelled due to the snow (5th snow day in the past 4 weeks) yesterday so I enjoyed a nice day in with friends.

xx

Beauty Sales Week of February 8th

Gilt:

• The Beauty Boutique (Sale begins 9pm ET 2/8)
• Our Best Hair Tools Feat. H2Pro (Sale begins Noon ET 2/9)
• Beauty Best Sellers Feat. Tweezerman (Sale begins Noon ET 2/12)
• Beauty Essentials: Up to 80% Off (Sale begins Noon ET 2/14)

HauteLook:

• Salon-Worthy Shears (Sale begins 8am PT 2/8)
• #ManiMonday: nailuv Gel Nails, Ooh La Lashes, Rilastil Italian Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/9)
• Designer Fragrances For Men & Women, Travalo Atomizers & Rollerballs (Sales begin 8am PT 2/10)
• Brilliance New York Skincare, Rio de Keratin Hair Care (Sales begin 8am PT 2/12)
• COACH Fragrances, Pixi Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 2/13)
• Dazzle Pro Teeth Whitening, Vivo Per Lei Diamond and Dead Sea Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/14)

MYHABIT:

• Polished to Perfection: Makeup & More (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/8)
• Skincare Greats by Bliss (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/12)
• Silky Smooth: Shaving and Waxing Essentials (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/13)
• Best of Beauty: Makeup and Fragrance (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/14)

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2015: For Her

Rebecca Minkoff Be Mine Heart Wristlet // Sonix Heart Stripe iPhone 6 Case // Marc by Marc Jacobs Logo Heart Stud Earrings // Hanky Panky Original Rise Thong Rose Bouquet of 6 // Morgan Lane Enclosed My Heart Eye Mask // tarte Kiss & Belle Lipsurgence Lip Set

Don't you just love Valentine's Day? Maybe I'm biased because the holiday falls just 4 days after my birthday, but there's just something about the day that gets me every time.

Products I've Used Up #8

Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray: This smells amazing and doesn't weigh my hair down.

Ketoconazole Shampoo: I've been using this shampoo for years and it keeps my scalp clean as a whistle.

Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste: This is without a doubt my favorite toothpaste because it does an amazing job of keeping my teeth

Paddywax Salted Grapefruit Sox Wax Candle: I absolutely loved the sweet scent of this candle & it's even better that it's sox wax made in the USA!

Bath & Body Works Banana Nutmeg Bread Pudding Candle: This is a delicious-scented candle, I'm so mad at myself that I didn't find it until the late fall when they were pulling it off the shelves for Christmas scents.

Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Spotless Foundation: While this gave good coverage it got separated to the point that even shaking it did nothing, so it was time to throw it out. Read my full review here.

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm: This is a great summer lip balm because it contains SPF 20 but in the winter I need something a bit more hydrating so I'm glad this one is finished up.

Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder: I haven't used much in the way of pressed powder in years so it was time to throw this one away.

MAC 'Right Image' Cremesheen Glass Lip Gloss: I've had this gloss for far too long and it just wasn't doing anything for me anymore so it was time to toss it.

ChapStick Hydration Lock Lip Moisturizer: This was too heavy for my lips, even in the winter, and layering glosses over it felt weird.

Inglot '94' Eyeliner Gel: I loved this and used it as an eyeshadow base for the longest time but it's gotten a little too dried out to properly use it.

Jouer Lip Enhancer: This is super moisturizing and the perfect conditioning lip treatment to apply after a lip scrub before bed.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer: I really like this primer, it really smoothes out my skin and gives a poreless appearance.

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy: This is ultra moisturizing and a little truly goes a long way.

Milani Runway Lashes Instant Volume Mascara: I don't think this was a great volumizing mascara, but it definitely gives a lot of separation and length so is a good base mascara before a more volumizing one.

Dove Advanced Care Deodorant: I really liked this deodorant, it wasn't heavily scented but kept me odor and sweat free. Read my full review.

Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes: These are some of my favorite makeup remover wipes because they're relatively inexpensive when purchased in bulk from Costco.

Just the Basics Facial Towelettes: These aren't the best, but they get the job done.

Hum Here Comes the Sun: I did a review on this a while back and it took forever to finish out the bottle.

Nature's Bounty Fish Oil: I take one of these daily and while there are no external benefits, hopefully there are some internal ones.

What to Wear Where: Valentine's Day

I can't believe it's already February. February to me means a lot of things and one of the most important things is surrounding myself with those I love and who love me. However you spend your Valentine's Day, here's a few outfit ideas for whatever you have planned.

image credits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Beauty Sales Week of February 1st

Gilt:

• The Beauty Boutique (Sale begins 9pm ET 2/1)
• MAKE Cosmetics (Sale begins Noon ET 2/4)
• Oscar Blandi & Jose Eber (Sale begins Noon ET 2/5)
• Skincare Brands We Love Feat. Vichy (Sale begins Noon ET 2/6)

HauteLook:

• BH Cosmetics, Hairdo Hair Extensions (Sales begin 8am PT 2/1)
• #ManiMonday: Gellaka Gel Nails, NYC Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/2)
• Sin-Care Lifestyle Serums (Sale begins 8am PT 2/3)
• T3, Viviscal Haircare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/4)
• Karora Tannings, MDSolarSciences Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 2/5)
• Chella, Illamasqua (Sales begin 8am PT 2/6)
• Allegresse 24K Gold Skincare, Epilady: Hair Removal & Facial Tools (Sales begin 8am PT 2/7)

MYHABIT:

• Haircare & Skincare Favorites (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/1)
• Skincare Picks Feat. Shiseido (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/2)
• Kevyn Aucoin (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/3)
• $19 & Under: Beauty Gifts for Valentine's Day (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/4)
• Fountain of Youth: Anti-Aging Skincare, Sachajuan Haircare (Sales begin 8:30am ET 2/5)
• Spring Ahead: Cosmetics (Sale begins 3:30pm ET 2/5)
• All About The Eyes: Skincare & More (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/6)
• $10 & Up: Beauty Finds (Sale begins 8:30am ET 2/7)

Rue La La:

• Beautyarmy, Lancome (Sales begin 11am ET 2/6)
• Men's Cologne: Because Aftershave is not a Scent (Sale begins 11am ET 2/7)