Five Broke Girls: Jen

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Basic Eyeliners

Posted by Unknown Friday, May 2, 2014 0 comments

Happy Wednesday (and last day of April, and 10-year anniversary of Mean Girls)!

Today I have a quick post on what basic eyeliner combinations I use on a pretty consistent basis. I tend to wear pencil eyeliner on more natural days. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll put on liquid eyeliner. I tend to stay away from gel eyeliner mostly because I've never used it and I don't use twist-up eyeliners very often because I don't like the application as much as pencils.

I'm a pretty normal girl - I fluctuate between black and brown eyeliner. During fall and winter months I probably wear more black just because it's too harsh in the summer and I like the dramatic look during that time of year. When I wear just the pencil, I use Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx ($19). I find that this pencil has great lasting power and blends well. When I want to wear liquid eyeliner, my personal favorite is Cailyn Idefine Liquid Eyeliner ($18). I received this in a Wantable box last semester and have been obsessed with it since. I believe it's the best liquid eyeliner I've found so far.

For brown eyeliners, my tried and true pencil eyeliner is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil ($20) in Demolition. This is a dark brown (but distinctively not black) pencil that keeps my eyes looking natural on more low-key days. If I feel like a little more flair but still maintaing a chill makeup vibe, I use my Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Dark Brown ($20). Many people swear by this liquid eyeliner but I personally find the felt tip can become a little worn down. When I run out of this product, I may look into more colors in the Cailyn brand.

Well, that's all for me today! Catch y'all later.

xx
Jenny

On Repeat #48

Posted by Unknown Friday, April 25, 2014 0 comments

TORI
Bambi- Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club has been an old favorite of mine and they made their way into my Spotify playlist and I haven't stopped listening to Champ (2010). They have an interesting sound; it's not super indie, but I really am not sure how to describe it. Wow, not helpful, I know. Anyway, it was pretty difficult for me to pick a song because I have just been listening to this album straight through. This is actually a band that I can listen to while studying; which is pretty weird because I need absolute concentration, no vocals, while I'm studying.

TESSA
Salute - Little Mix
So I'll be honest, I was not on the Little Mix bandwagon at first. In my book, nothing could (will ever) beat the Spice Girls so I was a little reluctant. Not to mention I have insane hair envy of all of them. Perry was actually one of my inspirations to go back blonde. Anyway, I started listening to their newest album after I became obsessed with Move, which is ridiculously catchy, much like the rest of their album. As per usual, I'm obsessed with the beat of this song and it's an awesome one to blast with the windows down. This has been making the rounds as one of my most played for about a month now. If you want a glimpse into how talented these girls are, listen to Boy off this album. A freaking plus, ladies.

JENNY
Days - The Drums
My music has been in desperate need of a pick-me-up now that spring has finally arrived. Since my favorite band for the summer is Best Coast, I created a Spotify radio station (no commercials, unlike Pandora) for the band. Cue a ridiculous amount of new bands to listen to! I came across this song by The Drums and was immediately hooked.

RACHEL
People Are Strange - The Doors
It's been a bit of a stormy week in KC, so I was all about a laid back musical selection. Not to mention I'm just ever so slightly yet totally over school all together. So in comes The Doors. "People Are Strange" is obviously one of their most popular tracks but it's always been a favorite of mine. Don't quite know where you've been if you've never heard it, but don't worry it's easily accessible on Spotify. Big shout out to "Wish You Were Here" from ma home boys Pink Floyd too.

Spring Lip Favorites

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, April 23, 2014 0 comments

Howdy, y'all! I've had this recent issue where I've been using the word y'all on a fairly consistent basis. I'm not entirely sure where the habit originated since I go to school in Maryland but I'm rolling with it. It may just be due to the fact that I'm way too lazy to say "you all" or "you guys". Most of my decisions come down to the amount of effort required in all honesty.

Anyway, with the theme of the week being Spring Lips I decided to round up my favorite lip products of each general "type" for spring. You know what I mean? Lipstick, lip pencil, lip gloss, what have you. So here they are!

Let's start with the basics. My personal favorite lipstick for spring is MAC's Girl About Town. I spoke about this in the Tuesday Talk posted yesterday so I'm not going to go into much detail. Just know that it is the most beautiful fuchsia shade that isn't drying and stays in plays for hours (even without a lip pencil!).

Next up is my most-used lip product, the lip pencil. When I say lip pencil, I don't mean the narrow pencils that most associate with outline their lips. What I mean is those delightful, chubby-stick products that are the most convenient lip product for a girl on the go. I believe I have over five of these products from miscellaneous brands but I still reach for my Revlon Just Bitten in Honey the most. This shade is the perfect mauve nude for my lips (which are naturally pretty red) and allows the perfect amount of color when I'm sleepy or just not feeling like maintaining a bright lip color. I would say this is probably one of only two nudes I have in my entire lip product collection - I find most nudes wash me out completely.

Next up, the lip butter. Revlon started my obsession with these products and since Maybelline came out with their own brand, I've become even more hooked (apparently that was possible). However, the most unfortunate event happened and one of my favorite products, Maybelline's Color Whisper in Orange Ambition, was lost on a night out a couple weeks ago. Cue hysterics. I'm definitely going to need to go out and repurchase it so look out for an update on this post with a picture once it's back in my clutches.

Lip gloss is last but not least. I'm grouping lip stain, gloss, liquid lipstick, etc together because essentially they all begin as a gloss. Personally, I love the Maybelline Color Elixirs. They're glossy but not too sticky and the wear isn't too bad for a drugstore product. The one I tend to wear the most is Celestial Coral, a gorgeous bright pink that is bright enough for my personal taste but also is easy to reapply and seems more natural than many of my other options. Also, Rachel has mentioned that she prefers the L'Oreal version of these Color Elixirs more so check those out as well!

Well, that's all for me today. Leave a comment on your favorite spring lip product!

xx
Jen

Top 5 | Studying Essentials

Posted by Unknown Saturday, April 12, 2014 0 comments

Man oh man, has this semester been the bane of my existence. I didn't really get my ass into gear until after Spring Break and even that was questionable. So here I am, five weeks left, and an absurd amount of work to do in preparation for finals. Joy to the world. Thankfully, I've managed to get my studying down to a science (lolz, get it? Since I'm a science major. I crack myself up). So, here are a list of my top 5 necessities that may help you plow through some work on this beautiful Saturday afternoon.

1. Caffeine (duh).

I have so many forms of caffeine in my apartment that it's become a space issue. Not only do I have my trusty Newman's Original K-cups (my personal favorite coffee) but I also have various forms of tea. My personal favorite caffeine source is an Iced Chai Tea Latte using half milk and half Tazo Chai Tea concentrate. That shit is good, man. It's also a really nice alternative to drinking coffee all the time. In addition, my mom recently sent me a care package with a box of assorted teas and a can of Chai Tea as well (reviews to come soon - they're both from World Market). Last but not least, I live by my trusty Wild Sweet Orange tea from Tazo. I know it doesn't contain caffeine but the citrusy flavor is perfect when I'm in the final stretch at 2am and don't want to drink more caffeine.

2. An amazing thermos.

I am not joking, a good thermos can change your life (and save your bank account). I never knew such high quality thermoses (is that the plural of thermos?) existed before I got this one for Christmas. I unfortunately took the tag off so I'm not sure where it's from but I would guess Starbucks... I think my Mom said she bought it there. Either way, look for a thermos that is made of metal on the inside (at least that's what mine is). This thermos keeps the ice in my Iced Chai Lattes from melting for over 4 hours. It blows my mind every time. This thermos isn't as good for hot beverages but still keeps them hot for around 3. That's incredible to me because when I get out of my two hour lab at 9am, I still have a hot or cold drink instead of buying one or going back home. And that's how a broke girl lives.

3. The perfect study playlist.

I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I have different playlists for different types of studying. When I'm reading, I need music with no words because I get distracted. Copying notes or working problems requires a combination of pop and rap (mostly rap recently). Writing essays requires a more chill/laidback feel. If you're interested in the playlists I use, check them out below:

Rap

Instrumental

Random Assortment

4. Snacks.

If you're drinking gallons of caffeine, you're going to need some food to counterbalance the jittery feeling you'll be experiencing in the next 20 minutes. It's the absolute worst to be fidgety when you're trying to get a bunch of work done, take it from me. I know it can be tempting to pick up chips or candy to study to, but in reality you know you'll just eat the entire bag and that's not a good look. Plus, you'll be feeling like absolute shit in about an hour and you'll have a major sugar crash. I recommend pretzels or Goldfish crackers if you want something crunchy. Another recent favorite for me has been edamame, which are delicious beans that are just as addictive as a huge bag of Frito's. Plus, you're getting some veggies in which is difficult enough on a normal basis. Other good snacks: pistachios, fruit, string cheese, a bagel with peanut butter, or a smoothie. Aaaand now I'm hungry.

5. A reliable, productive place to study.

I hate doing work in my apartment this semester. I did it all the time in the fall when the weather was dreary but now the sun is out and it just makes me depressed that I'm cooped up in inside. My new favorite place has been a cubicle in the library. You are still around people but the dividers help prevent me from getting distracted and there is plenty of space to spread your shit out and really camp out for a few hours. Make sure your study place has enough room, isn't full of distractions, and even rather isolated. It's easier to stay focused when eleventy people aren't walking by every fifteen minutes, believe me.

Well that's all for me today, folks! Study hard and know that summer is right around the corner, you'll make it through!

Jen

Tuesday Talk | Valentine's Day Food + Films

Posted by Unknown Tuesday, February 4, 2014 0 comments

RACHEL
The Last Song
Normally, I'd select something snarky in an attempt to shun all things related to affection - especially an entire holiday. Instead I've chosen the complete antithesis. A Nicholas Sparks movie. Nay, a Nicholas Sparks movie featuring Miley Cyrus and a Hemsworth. Complete with her own music. I actually quite like Greg Kinnear, her on-screen father...is that odd? (PS check out Stuck in Love feat. him + Logan Lerman - on Netflix!) Oh well, this movie is fabulously cheesy. I'm not even going to delve into how many times I've seen it. NEARING TWO DOZEN. It really makes me question my taste. But srsly everyone should watch this movie. I will be doing just that on the 14th, complete with Xplosive Pizza Goldfish and possibly trial this drink recipe?

TORI
The Princess Bride
First off, I would like to say that I'm sure Rachel has watched that movie more than two dozen times. That was our go-to film Freshman year. Between that and Harry Potter, I'm not sure we watched much else. Now that I have that embarrassing confession out of the way, I will join Rachel in adding another "love driven" movie to the list. The Princess Bride is easily my favorite movie and book in the universe, meaning I have it basically memorized line by line. I swear to god the only way that I'll get married is if I have a priest who will lisp the entire wedding, “Mawwage. Mawwage is what bwings us togeva today.” But really, a classic night of pizza and The Princess Bride awaits.

JEN
Crazy, Stupid, Love
My obsession with this movie has become a serious illness. I try to pride myself on having impeccable taste in film (top 3? The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, and Braveheart) but when it comes to RomComs, this one takes the cake. The casting is awesome (swoon Emma Stone... I mean Ryan Gosling. I'd take either.) The fact that this movie takes typical boy meets girl (they get together, have a huge fight, then make up and live happily ever after) and turns it out on its head makes this movie so great. The honest look at marriage and how long-term relationships can become stale without realization is on point. Yet in the end everyone is happy. Perfection. Also Ryan Gosling. And Emma Stone. I want to emphasize those points.

TESSA
He's Just Not That Into You
I'm not big on chick flicks (for the most part), but this one wins everything. The casting is amazing (Jen AND Ben? Yes, please), and the story line really puts everything into perspective. Long term relationships, marriage, dating - this movie covers all of it and will really give you a reality check. It's fantastic. If you ever want a realistic RomCom, this is definitely it. I binge watched this my sophomore year of college and have put it away since. I'll probably pull it back out this month though, for nothing other than pure enjoyment. I'm pretty sure I can quote this nearly line for line, but that's irrelevant. This would be great for a girl's night, with plenty of baked goods, obvi. Because if there's anything I enjoy more than shopping and make up and skincare, it's an excuse to bake.

Jen | Empties No. 1

Posted by Unknown Monday, February 3, 2014 0 comments

Hey everyone! New video up today - check it out. Apologies for the lighting, my apartment isn't the best in combination with the not-so-great quality of MacBook cameras.

Jen

Tuesday Talk | Winter Blush

Posted by Unknown Tuesday, January 21, 2014 0 comments

tessa
Cargo's Mendocino
I'm not much of a blush junkie, but this is easily a winner for my winter favorite (mostly because I only own like 10 blushes. Whatever). I believe I talked about this in my fall edit, and my love for it applies just the same in winter. It's the perfect dusty rose color and gives the most natural pink flush. As usual, I kept the rest of my make up minimal, using my Naked Basics palette for my eyes and my usual EM Cosmetics Mascara that I can't seem to go a single post without mentioning. Seeing as today is the first day of classes and effort was an all around no, I just stuck with a Maybelline Baby Lips in Melon for my lip choice of the day. And yes, the picture is a campus bathroom selfie. You're all welcome for that.

tori
Mac's Stubborn
Like Tessa, blush is not my forte. However, when I saw Stubborn, I knew I needed it. Not only because the name matches my personality, but it's a beautiful wine colored blush. Since this is a darker blush, I typically wear it with minimal makeup; Mascara and foundation minimal. This blush achieves the whole, "just in from the cold" look effortlessly.

rachel

MAC's Breath of Plum

In recent months, I've really gotten quite into blush. This was the first shade l purchased and it's been a staple ever since. I love the sheer-tone formula because it looks natural and is difficult to overdo it on the cheeks. It works well to brighten up the face (which is much appreciated during winter), but is still more unique than a typical pink blush. I can achieve a subtle glow or a bolder look with some building. Today, I applied just a wash to pair with some subtle brown eyes (gracias, Groundwork paintpot) and bare lips.

jen
Tarte's 12-Hour Blush in Exposed
Unlike the other three girls, I went through a major blush obsession about a year or two ago. It was a serious problem in my life for a while there. Among the purchases were two Tarte blushes which are just as amazing as the hype suggests. The other one I bought (which was a close second for today's post) is Natural Beauty, one of my favorite blushes of all time. However, Exposed has been rediscovered recently and I forgot how amazing it is. I haven't been wearing a lot of makeup recently and it wakes up my face just enough to face the winter blues. I also believe that it would look amazing on any skin tone because of how neutral it is. I kept the rest of my face pretty natural with the same routine I've been wearing in most of my posts the past month.

Study Essentials

Posted by Unknown Monday, January 20, 2014 0 comments

Hola everyone and Happy MLK Day! Since most college students start back tomorrow, I figured this would be a perfect post for today. There are a few things I can't live without when studying as well as a couple other tips and tricks I utilize. The essentials first though:

1. Music
Absolutely necessary. The genre of music differs depending on what type of homework I'm doing. Classical is for reading, dubstep for chemistry, Bon Iver for weekend mornings... my Spotify is a well-tuned weapon in my arsenal against college coursework.

Recommendations:
- Bon Iver Radio
- Ellie Goulding
- Lana Del Rey
- alt-J

2. Comfortable Clothing
Bring on the fuzzy socks, leggings, and oversized sweaters (yes, I'm the epitome of a white girl). But in reality, you need to have something comfortable but please do not wear Uggs. I beg of you. There are other warm options out there.

Recommendations:
- Aerie
- Target
- Forever 21 (for sweaters, duh)

3. Some type of delicious drink
I try not to snack while doing homework because I can easily eat a Family Size Cheetos bag in one sitting. It's a talent of mine. So instead, I have an array of drinks to choose from instead of water to satiate my craving for food. Which is constant. Also, if you don't have a Keurig, there is something very wrong in your life because I'm in love with mine.

Recommendations:
- Apple Cider (hot or cold... YUM)
- Coffee (duh).
There are so many varieties out there, even for those of you who don't like it. Target has a great variety of flavored coffees that are delicious such as Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Macchiato.
- Chai Tea.
I just started drinking this late last semester and I'm completely addicted. You can also buy the Chai concentrate from Target that Starbucks uses!
- Crystal Light.
SO. GOOD. And so many options.

Other necessities:
- Hairbands to tie my hair back. I can never have bangs because I need all hair out of my face when I'm working. It makes me craaaaaay-zee.
- Laptop or iPad. I keep my to-do list and calendar on my computer cause it's easier to organize then re-writing everything.
- Gum. Another thing to prevent the snacking.

Welp, that's all for me today. Until next week!

xx
Jen

On Repeat #33

Posted by Unknown Friday, January 3, 2014 0 comments

TESSA
Drunk in Love - Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
Queen B has done it again. I bought this album when it was still exclusively on iTunes (which I never do, thanks to Spotify, but I couldn't wait this one out) and just finally got around to listening to it. Once again - flawless. I actually couldn't find my favorite two songs (Partition, Flawless) so I went ahead and picked my very close third favorite. Then again, you can never go wrong with a B & Jay-Z collaboration, am I right? So if you've been living under a rock, go download this album right now and thank me later, after you're done jamming out for an hour.

RACHEL
Let 'Em In - Paul McCartney
So, I don't know if you've heard of him but Paul McCartney is pretty good. I just recently returned from a vaction, which required me to suffer an 11 hour car ride. Naturally, a binge listen to the classic vinyl station ensued. I'd never actually been aware of this song but I'm glad to have discovered it. It also sparked my download of his new album, cleverly named "New". The verdict isn't out on that just yet (seems a little over-worked) but I'd highly recommend this throwback anyway.

JEN
Beautiful War - Kings of Leon
We all know KOL's breakout song, Use Somebody. But if you haven't checked out any of this band's other music, you have failed 2014 so far. Their newest album is full of powerful ballads and catchy upbeat tracks among others. This one is my favorite because the lyrics are so fitting to how a relationship can be at times: a beautiful war. The line "I said love don't mean nothin', unless there's something worth fighting for" are just pure gold. CHECK. THEM. OUT. NOW.

TORI
Miss You- Rolling Stones
I'm pretty sure I've used this song before, but that should just be more of a testament of how amazing it is. I completely forgot how awesome it was until Tavi Gevinson tweeted about it a couple weeks ago and this song is definitely a staple you should be listening to. This 1978 single is just pure musical genius. First off, it's the Stones. Secondly, just try to listen to this song and not feel exponentially more sassy. Just do it. I'm right, I know.