Buyer's Rave or Remorse?

Hello, all!

It's time for an introduction to another series regular around here! Introducing: Buyer's Rave or Remorse? Where I post my thoughts on a new product or products I've recently purchased and discuss if it was worth the hype, the money, the trip to Sephora..etc. to purchase. It will predominantly be a blog series, but if I collect a few notable items, I'll post a video to my channel For the first in the series, I'm reviewing the:

Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Soft and Sexy Collection ($36.00 at Sephora) 

Boudoir Beauty 

Introducing "Vlog with Kenz"!

Hello,  all!
Just a quick update here: My new Vlog Channel is live now. Can't wait to post life updates from the road and such! See you all in 2 weeks here!

Best,
Kenz

Current Drugstore Hair Products 1...

Hello, all!

Posted this this evening. Talky talk video on recent drugstore hair products I've been trying or love! Check it out! 

Best, 

Kenz

Day-To-Night!

I posted a quick day look earlier today and now that Saturday night is upon us, I filmed a quick video talking about how I jazz things up for night!

Day, sweet and simple 

Bam! Night is much more va-va-voom!

Glowy and Bright

Products used: 

Maybelline MasterPrecise Liner in Black 

Nars Orgasm Blush 

NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Chaos 

NYX Butter Lip Balm in Parfait 

Quick FOTD and OOTD!

Posted this today! I had filmed a whole get ready portion that vanished so this is the finished product and outfit for a girly day of wedding planning for one of my best friends!

Before, no make-up

After

Check it out!

Best,
Kenz

New Series: Beauty Breakfast!

Hello, all! I'm excited to bring you a new series this morning called "Beauty Breakfast" that will go up exclusively on Fridays mornings. I have a nice coffee break in my morning on Fridays, and I figure it's a fun way to kick-off the weekend! My aim to highlight a few items that are currently on my personal wishlist that I'm excited to try!! Then, if you've tried any of them,  I'd love to hear about it in the comments. I'd love to here about your wishlists as well! The goal is the keep it short, simple, and something you can skim while you have your morning coffee!

the Balm Cosmetics, NUDE 'tude Eyeshadow Palette! ($36.00)

the Balm Cosmetics, FRATBOY Blush ($21.00)

* Love the packaging on the Balm Products! 

BUXOM Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Gloss, in Boo-Ya- Iridescent Coral ($19.00)

MARC JACOBS FRAGRANCE Honey Rollerball ($22.00) 

Thanks for popping in! See you next week! 

NYX Butter Lip Balm, Rouge Cream Blush, and Natural Shadow Palette

Hello, all! It's been a day of YouTube madness. I have a channel introduction video that is taking a billion years to upload and it had to start over recently... sigh, still working out the details of it all. This morning I also filmed a review video but am having issues with imovie so I may just have to re-film tomorrow. I'll get the hang of this sooner or later :) In the meantime, I'd like to post the photos and condensed thoughts from the video here and I'll link the video once I get it right. So here we go:

Today I reviewed a few products from NYX Cosmetics. I reviewed three of the butter lip balms, a Rouge Cream Blush,  and the Natural Shadow Palette. 

Outfit Of The Day (OOTD) !

Up in Alaska, we are having a somewhat gloomy spring day complete with a little gray sky and rain. I think a cup of tea will help. But first, a quick OOTD for when the weather is brisk but you are aching to get your spring/summer on!

slightly layered but with bright spring colors

 side angle to show off the zips

peppy 

pretty green 

You would think I'm being sponsored by Forever 21 for this post, but I assure you I'm not. 

Black Tank top: Forever 21 ($1.80)

White Sweatshirt Jacket with Zipper detail: Forever 21 (donated) 

Dark Skinny Jeans: Forever 21 ($7.00) 

Black Glitter Sandals: American Eagle (Purchased at Payless) (~$20.00 estimate) 

Gold and Sea Green Pendant Necklace: Forever 21 ($8.00)

Floral Scarf: Delias (Thrifted for $6.00) 

Best, 

Kenz

"Life with Kenz" YouTube Introduction

Check out "Life with Kenz" on YouTube!

Posted this not long ago. I wanted share a bit about me, and my intentions for this channel and blog!

Best,
Kenz

New Series: Thrifty Lovin'

I am an avid "thrifter". You will hear me sing the praises of thrifting time and time again. I love that it's easy on the wallet, but fun in the closet. And if something doesn't work out, I will often recycle it again by taking it to a consignment store or donating again. Such a great way to spice up a wardrobe without breaking the bank!

I go thrifting very regularly. I am able to pop in regularly and look around without buying, just to see what's new. My goal for this series is to highlight an item, or a few items that I've found in the week, about once a week. Perhaps on Fridays... Once I get my youtube channel set up, I'll likely do a "First Impressions" for the item(s) as well.

This week, I am highlighting one fabulous item: a Nicole by Nicole Miller purse (Retails for ~$30.00 at varied websites I found). I love it in all it's banana yellow glory!! I am going out of town next week and wanted a purse for the trip that would allow me to carry my camera bag/larger bag without getting in the way, but that would still be fun for going out with friends and be a nice, bright POP of color! Enter, this bag!

Banana Yellow Awesome

It is not high-end quality by any means, but it's functional as a cross-body bag and it's just fun! It has a tiny pocket upfront that has card slots within, two medium-sized zipper pockets on the front, a full middle section that zips closed, and zip pocket on the back. The interior is a plain yellow as well. 

This makes me think a great summer is ahead, and I can't wait to wear it with my summer brights! 

Face Of The Day (FOTD) !

Quick  FOTD:

                        

Today I'm working on the more time consuming aspects of blogging... Getting the blog set up how I like down to the minute details, the YouTube channel... Etc. It actually takes a fair amount of time to establish these things. In the meantime, I'm taking photos and creating content ideas so I should hopefully be ready to get things rolling soon! Here's a quick FOTD for now though:

Eyes: Maybelline Mega Plush Volume Express Mascara. 

Cheeks: Nars Orgasm Blush 

Lips: NYX Butter Lip Balm, in Parfait (BLB01). 

Easy peasy and perfect for a sunny spring day!

Blogging Beginnings...

Cheers.

I finally decided to do it- to create my own space in the vast world of beauty and lifestyle blogging. But before I talk about that, I want to give due credit to those before me that inspired me to do so. About five years ago, one fateful evening in my freshman year of college, I checked YouTube for a tutorial on curling short hair. Well, I came across Leesha from xsparkage in the process. And I was hooked. She's quirky, fun, has the most contagious laugh, and is immensely talented at doing makeup. I still religiously follow her videos and reviews. I later came across another YouTuber that I loved, Ashley at LisaFreemontStreet. She has a very different vintage flare, but I was inspired to master the most classic beauty techniques from her. I also still watch her channel religiously. More recently, I discovered Fleur at FleurDeForce and I just love her honest, fun and down-to-earth personality. She's lovely.

 In the blogging-specific world, I have to say one of my biggest sources of inspiration is Nadine from NadineJolie I have yet to read her books but she is widely known as a pioneer of the beauty blogging world. Her reviews are funny, witty, honest, and make glamour "attainable" for every-day gals. Other inspiration for everyday life regularly comes from Kinsey at Sincerely, Kinsey and Elsie and Emma over at A Beautiful Mess . I also love Sara's blog Nesting Gypsy a lot, and get daily doses of home and lifestyle inspiration from her.

Together, these diverse ladies inspired me to make my own plunge into the world of beauty and lifestyle blogging after about five years of loyal following and learning.  My purpose here is to share the knowledge I've gained,  honestly review products I try to help you in purchasing choices,  and ultimately, assist in making the everyday grind more beautiful, enjoyable, and simple through beauty, fashion, and lifestyle inspiration.

I believe in a "natural-me-but-better" approach when it comes to beauty and fashion. Simply put,  I love to improve my day and feel beautiful without a huge time commitment. I occasionally delve into the vibrant colors and dramatic liner, but in the everyday, I believe in a simple routine that kicks up what I've already got going for me. And I want to share that.  A YouTube channel will be coming soon and I'll be fleshing out the types of content I want for this space in the coming weeks. Thanks for popping in, stay tuned for more!

Best,
Kenz