Because these gifts are sure to impress just about anyone... (more…)
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March 12, 2025
Because we all need to help save our planet, and these are four easy (and also fun) ways to do
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March 1, 2025
You guys know I’m picky about lip gloss, but I recently tried two new (to me) products and had to
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02.27.2014
How to Meditate
Meditation: it’s one of those things that most people know about, but haven’t actually ever tried to DO IT (Jamie’s note: myself included). Here’s the deal- it doesn’t have to be hard…meditation has been proven to provide stress relief, improve your self-esteem, and increase your productivity and focus. And, with those same few minutes, you could also develop a stronger immune system, relieve chronic pain, and increase neuroplasticity (that’s the good kind of changes to the brain, by the way).
There are tons of books, schools, and styles of meditation, but the basic principles are almost always the same:
1) Pick a time. Since the benefits are from meditation being a regular habit, try to choose a time that’ll you be free every day, like when you first wake up, on your lunch break, or when you first get home from work.
2) Set aside two minutes. If you start small, you’re more likely to stick with it, and get long term results. You can always add time once you start to feel like two minutes isn’t enough.
3) Find a quiet space. Silence your phone, tablet, and computer. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long you won’t be interrupted.
4) Find a comfortable seat. You don’t need to sit in lotus, but many people find that sitting cross-legged is easy on the body. Try sitting with your hips propped up on a folded blanket or cushion. You can lean against a wall, or sit on your couch; just sit anywhere you can sit straight, comfortably, in stillness.
5) Focus on your breath. Once you’re comfortable, take a long, slow, full breath. Follow the breath as the air enters your body, into your nose, down the length of your throat, into your lungs, deep into your body. Keep your exhale long and slow, and follow the breath from the base of your lungs all the way out. Keep your eyes open or shut, whichever helps you focus more. If your mind wanders (and it will) just notice that it happened, and bring your mind back to your breath.
That’s it! Easy, right? This type of practice is all about learning to focus your attention – perfect for those of us that can’t help but scroll through our Instagram feed while we’re supposed to be working. The benefits can be amazing, and since it takes such a small amount of time, it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
– Jo Walker, Intern
02.26.2014
Make Up For Ever HD Blush
Blush has never really been my thing, I can’t lie. It’s not that I don’t like the idea of having some color on my cheeks, but basically because I have rosacea (e.g. rosy cheeks without blush), I’ve always just honestly been scared of the idea of adding a splash of pink to my already-red face…it’s a thing. I was recently introduced to a new blush, an HD (high definition) Blush, if you will, and I gotta say…color me impressed. At first I was intrigued by the idea that the blush is HD because, at least in my mind, anything HD is cool and hi-tech, but then I started getting tons and tons of compliments after the makeup artist put some on me which instantly had me SOLD. So what’s the deal? MAKE UP FOR EVER HD BLUSH is a cream blush (which can also be intimidating) and its formulated with a balance of oils, waxes, and powders that makes the blush really glide on your face easily. What’s also cool is that it can be worn over or under makeup, meaning if you’re not wearing any foundation (lucky you), you can still wear the blush without looking like a clown.
And speaking of clowns, here’s the best and most universal way to apply blush:
- Choose a full, rounded blush brush (like Make Up For Ever 158 Double Ended Sculpting Blush, featured in the photo above, which you can also use for contouring)
- Apply the cream blush onto the apples of the cheeks in a figure “8” motion
- Sweep from the top of the apple downwards, then up and back towards the top of the ear
- Set the blush (especially if you feel like it’s REALLY bright) with a pressed powder (like Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder), which reduces shine, slightly mattifies the skin, and softens the appearance of fine lines and pores. By the way, this pressed powder is best applied with a Kabuki Brush.
And, if all that seems like way too much work for you (hey, I get it), you can always just apply cream blush with your fingertips…just don’t go nuts.
Make Up For Ever HD Blush 210 | Make Up For Ever HD Blush 410
Gea isn’t amused by cream blush
02.25.2014
Tuesday Web Candy
Leah and Mary have a really awesome (and quick) video on how to create the perfect gallery wall – AFabLife.com
I LOOOOVE this healthy lunch bowl…so filling and delicious – StyleWithinReach.net
The first piece in my new weekly beauty steals column for The Budget Babe! – TheBudgetBabe.com
OMG. This new app is hilarious and awful all at once – TheLuxurySpot.com
It’s a new thing: the emoji mani – Rouge18.com
An interesting read…the one thing super successful people never do in the morning – HuffingtonPost.com
02.24.2014
Big Girl Presents
I just watched the new episode of GIRLS, “Incidentals,” and really took to the scene where Hannah realizes that she makes actual decent money at her GQ advertorial job, even though it’s not something she ever thought she’d do or, gasp, enjoy. It’s a funny thing that whole making money thing…sometimes, especially when you’re in your early 20s, you hold down jobs that you really don’t like, or even actually HATE. I’ve done it…and I’m sure you know tons of others who have done it as well, and even though sticking with a job that you loathe sucks beyond belief, it DOES have its benefits. For example, back in early 2008 (pre-recession), I accepted a PR job that gave me a HUGE pay boost…we’re talking like HUGE, and I remember the feeling I had walking down the street in SoHo when I decided to pop into Bloomingales to buy myself a new purse. I bought myself the purple MARC BY MARC JACOBS DOCTOR’S PURSE (above, no longer available) that just made me simply smile. I was proud of the fact that I could easily drop a few hundred dollars on a whim, just because. Even though I had a job I didn’t really believe in or like, I was happy that I could afford the little luxuries I had always wanted for myself…and that’s something to be truly proud of, regardless. I still have the bag and I think it may have to make a wardrobe comeback in the next few months, just because.
What have you bought yourself as a “just because I rock” present?
Similar bags:
02.20.2014
VIDEO: February Favorites
02.20.2014
VOYAGE Swimwear
Summer is almost here (that’s for you, East coast)…but summer here in Los Angeles is pretty much all year and, funny enough, I’ve been in the mood for a new bikini. Taking it back a minute, I have an obscene amount of bikinis, like OBSCENE, but I always wear the same two or three, which is pretty typical Jamie. But then, I was introduced to VOYAGE SWIMWEAR.
Turns out my friend Brittany Harris, from college, started the swimwear line and the story literally floors me. Brittany was living down in Florida after we graduated from Hofstra and started designing her own bikinis, just because she felt like it. People would come up to her at the beach or at hotel pools and ask her where she got her bikini…and that was the start of VOYAGE Swimwear. The line is currently sold at THE FOUR SEASONS Shanghai, Mumbai and Beijing, which is pretty much the most glamorous thing I’ve heard all week. Obsessed. Oh, and let’s not forget the map pattern fabric, inspired by her childhood travels with her grandparents!
I’m an avid supporter of small businesses (hello, I’m my OWN small business), which is why I’m excited to share VOYAGE’s Kickstarter campaign. Brittany is hoping to debut VOYAGE in a renowned international fashion show during the famous CANNES FILM FESTIVAL in Cannes, France this May. The funds will go towards the fashion show participation fee and travel costs. If you can, let’s all support a small business (that’s awesome) trying to make shit happen.
Learn more about VOYAGE’s Kickstarter campaign HERE.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored but all opinions are my own, as per usual. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis possible.
