Wide Awake

Rimmel London Face Makeup Review

Hello Lovelies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) I recently wanted to change up my face makeup routine and I have heard good things about the products from Rimmel London*. I didn't get a full set of their products but I got pieces of some of their lines. All of the products below that I purchased are linked if you hover over their name!

Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation in 101 Classic Ivory

This new routine has really been a change for me. I've never had foundation in my makeup bag before so it has been an adjustment but on the days I wear it I have been loving this one. I sought out this foundation after hearing Zoe Sugg (Zoella)* recommend it on her channel. I really trust her opinion so I went for it! I've been wanting to add foundation to my routine but didn't want to spend to much on my first one in case I didn't like the addition. This foundation is the perfect formulation for my taste. It has a fair amount of coverage while still having a light feel on the skin. It is brightening and easy to blend. This color is actually really great with my skin tone too, which has been hard to find in the past.

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer in 230 Very Fair/Light

I re-bought this concealer after buying a shade that was a little to dark the first time (they didn't have my shade but I really wanted to test the product). I liked the effect it gave so I felt confident buying it again. I have really loved using it now that it is the right shade. It really covers my dark circles while also brightening my eyes. It is also good for those days I have spots because it has enough coverage to help me cover them.

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Translucent

I have always used a pressed powder with a powder puff but switching to a powder that I need to use a brush to apply has been a nice change. The powder goes on very smooth and leaves a nice finish over the foundation. I've been really impressed by how long my face stays looking matte when I'm wearing this powder too. It definitely lives up to the name! 

 If you are looking for new face makeup I highly recommend these Rimmel London products. They are inexpensive and reliable :) Do you own any of these products or any other Rimmel London products? What do you think of them? Let me know in the comments!!

*Linked if you hover over it.

You Are In Love

January Favorites 

Hello Lovelies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) The month of January has been a busy and full one. 2015 started off with a bang! I have had such a lovely month and gotten to spend so much time with family and friends. I have been having such a fun and positive month and it has been full of favorite things because of it! It's always easier to love things when you are in a wonderful mood. 

Fashion

Gatsby Sweatshirt

I have had this sweatshirt for more than a year and I love it just as much now as the day I got it in the mail. It is so comfy and the perfect thing to throw on when I don't want to think to hard about my outfit but I still want to look cute. It's great with jeans and with tights. I also get so many compliments on it! I have been wearing it a lot this month when the TX weather decides to get chilly.

Brown Leather Flip Flops 

My cousin Ellie bought these for me after we got a pedicure together and I didn't have any flip flops to wear afterwards. I love them and with the beautiful weather we've been getting glimpses of here (have I mentions the weather in Texas is bipolar??) I have been loving putting them on. Basic brown leather flip flops are such an essential piece.

Accessories

James Avery Heart & Swirl Rings

I have had these rings for a long time and they are the only rings that I wear on a regular basis. I love simple, plain pieces and these are lovely. I have been remembering to slip them on in the morning a lot this month and I love seeing them while I type notes in class :)

James Avery Crosslet Heart Necklace 

This has been my signature necklace since my senior year in high school. I really wanted a cross necklace but not one that was really flashy. I love how simple this is and I like to try and wear it every day. If you look back through my pictures since I was 18, I am most likely wearing this necklace. I love how consistent it has been in my life, just like my faith.

Beauty

Nars Laguna & Orgasm 

I actually did an entire post on this, which should be going up before I post this! If I did get it up I'll be sure to leave a link to it here :)

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

I got this, along with a foundation and powder from Rimmel, this month. I have been loving all three but this concealer has been the standout for me! Even if I can't be bothered with much makeup I know I can count on this baby to cover those dark circles (I'm 22 after all... I can sleep when I'm old!) in the morning and brighten up my eyes. I really love this concealer and it makes me a little more excited to do my makeup in the morning!

Tanya Burr Lips Gloss 

I did an entire post on all of the Tanya Burr lip glosses that I own (and love)! I will link that here, but just in case an entire post didn't translate just how much I love them I am going to include them here too. The two I have in the picture are Let's Travel The World & Berry Picking. I have been using these two the most this month. I love the red when the weather is pretty and the berry goes so well when it is a little cooler outside and I use my berry toned blush.

Home

University Of Texas Coasters

My wonderful, lovely and talented best friend bought me these coaster for Christmas and I use them every day. They are so adorable and the perfect touch of school spirit within my apartment! They are just so unique for school merchandize and I love them.

Coffee House Wall Sticker

Amanda, in all of her generosity, also got me this adorable wall sticker. She definitely knows me and my love for coffee (which I also did a post on this month, linked here). This goes so perfectly in my kitchen and I love looking up and thinking of her when I see it :)

Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug

My other just as wonderful, lovely and talented (I'm so lucky to have my friends!) best friend bought me this gorgeous mug for my birthday. It is promptly featured in my favorite mugs post. I love drinking tea out of this mug because it just feels dainty and lets be honest I just adore anything with my initials on it!

Food

Borden Dutch Chocolate Milk

Chocolate milk is my comfort drink. When I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed there isn't anything that can calm me down as quickly. This month has been a bit overwhelming at times and I have been turing to my chocolate milk to stay sane (I really should stop.. I don't need to add getting bigger to my list of worries)!

Entertainment

The Office

I have seen so many things about Jim & Pam on Tumblr over the years (and recently got hooked on The Mindy Project) so I thought it was about time to give The Office a chance. It was a great decision. I have almost gotten through the entire show and I love it. I love all of the characters and even when the story is bothering me there is always something to laugh about.
PS: Jim & Pam are as wonderful as everything you've ever heard about them. Relationship goals!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling 

Seeing as I recently got hooked on The Mindy Project I needed to look into what else the lovely and hilarious Mindy Kaling has been up to. This book is hilarious! I won't try and compare it to another female comedians book because that is just disrespectful to everybody. This book is witty, charming and magnificent all in its own right! Plus listening to Mindy herself read it adds so much to the experience!

Old Shoes by Adam Barnes 

Zoe Sugg (Zoella) recently featured this song in one of her GRWM videos and the second I heard it I know it was Adam Barnes (she had featured his music before, which I already owned). I love this song and it has been on constant repeat in my apartment, in my car, in my dreams! The music has such a wonderful sound and Adam's voice is heavenly. Check him out! 

I hope that your start to 2015 was wonderful! If it wasn't (or even if it was), there is the rest of the year left to make it everything you want it to be. It is never too late or too early for change. Have a wonderful February and I hope you make it through Valentines Day sane! 

Spectrum

Nars Laguna Bronzer & Orgasm Blush Duo Review 

Hello Lovelies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) I have heard a lot about Nars products over the years and wanted to get myself started on the brand. For my first product I chose to buy a duo that contained their Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer. These are both cult favorites from Nars. If you watch any beauty gurus on Youtube I am sure you have heard of them both.

Now I am personally not a big bronzer user. I always feel like I am not using it right so I just try to avoid it, but I had heard that sometimes it is as simple as you are using a bad bronzer. I knew I needed to get a better one if I ever wanted to add bronzer to my makeup routine (which I do, this summer).  

When it comes to blush I am the opposite. When I was younger I didn't wear blush because I naturally blush a lot and I didn't want to make that fact even more apparent by darkening it with blush. For years people thought I wore blush, when it was just my natural flushed skin. Then one day a friend was doing my makeup and used some. I really liked the effect it had on my face. It was nice to pick the color and how much I used, as opposed to just relying on my own coloring. I throw blush on almost every day, so I knew that it would be used if I bought it.

I have had this duo for a few week now and have really been enjoying it. You can tell how high quality the products are by their pigmentation, especially the blush. A little bit goes a long way! I had to learn that the hard way unfortunately. The first few times I wore Orgasm my check were so pink! The color is so gorgeous though and I have gotten compliments on it.

I think that the great thing about these products is that they are reliable and the color is very flattering for multiple skin tones. It is easily adaptable into your makeup routine :)

I have loved my first Nars purchase and definitely have more of their products on my wishlist. Do you own any Nars products? What are your favorites? Which products would you love to get your hands on? Let me know in the comments :)

Little Things

A Cup of Jo & A Spot of Tea

Hello Lovlies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) I am a huge coffee & tea drinker. Not only do I just love the way they taste but I love the experience of drinking them. The calming effect of tea. Getting together with friends or a new love interest over a cup of coffee. It is such a part of my routine. Coffee can really bring people together, not to mention keep people up when they have procrastinated writing that ten page paper until the last minute (Alright... me. I'm talking about me!) and need help getting through an all-nighter.

I grew up around coffee. Growing up my parents (along with my Dad's brothers) owned a local coffee shop (Texspresso) in Austin, TX. I spent my summers wandering around there while my parents worked. I got started on coffee young and never looked back. I loved those days getting up at 4 AM and going back to sleep in the back room when we got to the shop. Waking up to the smell of coffee and the chatter of people enjoying it. They actually really made a name for themselves for a while (they had 5 stores open at one point, with just the three of them running them) and I really admire that. I look back on those times so fondly and miss that coffee shop all the time.

I love the experience of actually going to a Starbucks, Coffee Bean, or a local coffee shop but sometimes you just don't have the time (or the money, college life can be hard)! This doesn't mean that you can't still get that coffee and tea though! I bought a Keurig last year and it was one of the best decisions ever. I use it at least once a day, usually more than once (I may have a problem). I can't start the day without a cup of coffee. Even just the smell makes my day start on the right side of the bed (well I still wake up on the left side.. I mean that is the side I sleep on after all). I really enjoy a cup of tea to wind down in the evening. It just makes me feel peaceful (I mean, I'm practically British).

Seeing as coffee & tea are such a large part of my daily life, I figured I would devote this post to something that closely ties in with that theme; mugs! I love coffee mugs. I have a large collection of them, and just like with anything else, I definitely have my favorites (not to say that I don't love them all because I do, trust me). These are some of my favorite mugs and a few of my go to picks when I'm making coffee or tea with my Keurig :) 

Favorite Mugs

Anthropologie Monogram "J" Mug

Austin Starbuck "You Are Here" Series Mug 

Dutch Wax Floral Mug

Starbucks NYC Mug 

Target "I Love You A Latte" Mug 

Favorite Keurig Options

The Original Donut Shop Coffee, Folders French Roast & Twining's English Breakfast Tea

I start my day off on the right note and end it on an even better one. Coffee and tea make me feel such joy :) Do you enjoy coffee or tea? What about the atmosphere surrounding the experience of drinking them? Have any favorite mugs? Let me know in the comments! 

I'll Be There For You

My Top 10 Friends Episodes 

Hello Lovelies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) Friends is one of the best ensemble casts in the history of sitcoms. Anyone can sit and watch an episode of the show and enjoy themselves. I know my whole family does! I own the boxset of the show and have probably seen the series all the way through at least four time. I've certainly seen some episodes a good deal more than that. In honor of Friends being added to Netflix I thought I'd do a post on my favorite episodes. The list could go on and on but I have managed to narrow it down to my top ten.

10. The Last One (Season 10, Episode 17)

I love the way Friends ended. I love that I get to decide what happened to them. They don't try and cram the rest of these six characters lives into an hour long finale. They simple end in the middle of them living their lives and I get to imagine that they all lived the life I wanted them to.

9. The One With The Proposal (Season 6, Episode 24 & 25)

My favorite couple is Monica & Chandler. I could easily make this entire countdown about their relationship (hmmm, maybe I'll do one of those some day!) but I only included a few. I chose the proposal episode because I can't get through it without crying and it is just such a pivotal moment on the show.

8. The One With The Jellyfish (Season 4, Episode 1)

This episode may be an important moment in Ross & Rachel but my favorite storyline in it is the titles name sake. The comedic timing in the discussion of what happened on the beach is genius. Plus Ross yelling "We were on a break!" for the thousandth time was perfect.

7. The One With The Cop (Season 5, Episode 16)

This episode may not have the most impacting storylines but it does contain one of the best performances from David in the entire series. Who can think about the "pivot" scene without laughing?

6. The One With The Videotape (Season 8, Episode 4)

Not only is this a turning point in the Ross & Rachel storyline, but it is filled with hilarious moments from start to finish. The magical Europe story that you tell when you want to have sex was one of the writers crowning moments.

5. The One With All The Kissing (Season 5, Episode 2)

I endlessly laugh while I watch this episode. Each time Chandler kisses one of the girls I just can't help but giggle. I'm sure Matthew didn't mind having to go to work that week!

4. The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6, Episode 9)

I don't know that I ever laugh harder while watching friends than I do during the end segment of this episodes. Each friend yelling out proclamations after Thanksgiving dinner is just so perfect. I love all of the Thanksgiving episodes, they are a series staple, but this is my favorite.

3. The One Where Everyone Finds Out (Season 5, Episode 14)

Who could forget the endless back and forth that ensues when it becomes known that Chandler & Monica are an item? Plus the forever touching moment of Chandler professing his love for Monica *sigh*.

2. The One With The Embryos (Season 4, Episode 12)

Phoebe having her brothers baby + Ross running a "who knows who better" game + Monica & Rachel versus Joey & Chandler + An apartment on the line = One magical episode.

1. The One Where No One's Ready (Season 3, Episode 2)

The six friends in Monica & Rachel's apartment. That's all it is. In real time. The perfect formula for an unforgettable episode that I have watched countless times.

That's my personal countdown of the top ten episodes of friends. I know that you could ask any Friends fan to write their own list and no two peoples would match, so don't be upset if your favorite didn't make the cut! Let know your favorite episodes in the comments! Now head over to Netflix and binge on the series some :)

*I did NOT create any of the gifs on this blog post. They were all taken from Tumblr*

Lovers' Eyes

Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes 4-in-1 Mascara Review 

Hello Lovelies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) For Christmas my wonderful friend Clay wanted to get me something that he knew I would use. This mascara was a wonderful choice! I use mascara every day. It is my favorite thing in my makeup bag. Splurging on mascara is the easiest thing to justify because I know it will be worth it.

I had heard good things about the Tarte Cosmetics* line and their mascara so I wanted to try it out first. I actually bought it for my best friend Amanda for Christmas before Clay gave it to me. We both really love it. It is made without chemicals and is one of the few natural mascaras.

I love how short the bristles on the brush are because they are the perfect length to just coat my lashes and make them look fuller and longer, without getting any on my eyelid. I am very bad about getting mascara on my eyelid and it is so nice not to have that problem with this mascara. The packaging is also so unique. I have heard some people say that they don't like this element but I do. It's pretty to see in my makeup bag :)

I enjoy putting this mascara on and get a lot of compliments on my eyelashes while I am wearing it. I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a "nicer then drugstore brands" mascara. Do you own this mascara? What do you think of it? Do you want to try it out? Let me know in the comments!

*Linked if hovered over

Lip Gloss

My Tanya Burr Lip Gloss Collection 

Hello Lovelies. I'm Jordan Nicole :) I am very into Youtube. I like Youtubers. I like the videos they make. I like the products they produce. I do not try and hide this fact. Now that I have disclosed that we can get on to the topic of the day: Tanya Burr Cosmetics. 

Tanya is a Youtuber/Blogger* who was at one time a professional makeup artist. If you are looking for wonderful makeup tutorials then I highly recommend her videos. On top of her expertise she also has the loveliest and most bubbly personality you will ever come across. Put simply, I love her.

Moving on to our actual topic, her cosmetic line. Specifically her lip glosses. Since I live in the U.S. I unfortunately can't get my hands on any of her nail polish but I have quite a large collection of her lip glosses. She has had two line releases and I have colors from both.

Ultimately the reason I love this range is not because Tanya made them (although I think it is amazing what she has accomplished!) but because they are phenomenal. The quality is ridiculous. The formula is everything you could want from a lip gloss. It feels amazing on your lips, they smell wonderful, they are long lasting and the pigmentation is on point. She also has produced every color you could need. I reach for a color from her line daily. 

I'm only missing four of the original line & six of the second release. I also didn't manage to get the limited edition Christmas one, which was tragic. She has overall released 21 shades and I am lucky enough to have ten of them. The top two on my wish list at the moment are Chic & I Found Nemo. Both of them are currently sold out which should give some indiction of how amazing they are!

In Order: Champagne Toast, First Date, Just Peachy, Afternoon Tea, Picnic In The Park, Aurora, Berry Picking, Lets Travel The World, Vampire Kiss, Enchanted Forest. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and got an idea of what color you'd like to try from Tanya's lip gloss line :) It is lovely and I'm sure you'd love it. You can click here to go check the entire line out. Also go take a look at her blog and youtube channel, both wonderful as well. If you have any questions or suggestions be sure to leave them in the comments below!

*Both Tanya's Youtube channel & blog are linked if you hover over them :)