The Sweater Weather Tag

Well, sweater weather is in full force and I thought it would be fun to do the sweater weather tag! Personally, sweater weather is my favorite time of the year. There is nothing I love more then putting on a cozy oversized sweater with my favorite pair of jeans, boots, and a scarf. Cooper and Tiger Lily are also enjoying sweater weather as well!

1. Favorite candle scent?
Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin by Bath & Body Works is the best! It's the perfect mix of spicy pumpkin, sweet cinnamon, and warm vanilla.

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
This time of year I always get hot Chocolate from Starbucks with either pumpkin spice, gingerbread, or peppermint added to it.

3. What's the best fall memory you have?
My favorite fall memories are of cheering at football games when I was in high school. I really miss those days.

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?
Definitely dark lips! I wait all year long to wear dark lips!

5. Most worn sweater?
My grey sweater with mauve flowers is my most worn sweater.

6. Must have nail polish this fall?
Dark berry nails are a staple in the fall. My favorite is Bahama Mama by Essie.

7. Football games or jumping in leaf piles?
I would have to say both! I am a huge football fan (Go Bengals!) and there is nothing more enticing then a huge leaf pile.

8. Skinny jeans or leggings?
Again, I would have to say both! Skinny jeans are my favorite style of jeans to wear and leggings are just so comfortable to wear this time of year.

9. Combat boots or Uggs?
Definitely combat boots! I have brown, grey, and black and I still want more colors.

10. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?
Sadly yes, pumpkin spice is totally worth the hype, but I'm not a pumpkin spice latte fan. I add it to my hot chocolate and I love to bake pumpkin spice cookies, bread, cake, and other desserts.

Also, I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving yesterday! I spent my day with my family watching football, the Friends and That 70s Show Thanksgiving episodes, and eating lots of food. I am so thankful for my life, my family, my pets, my friends, and every single one of my readers!

  

Top 5 Autumn Nail Polishes

For today's post I have picked my top five autumn nail polishes. As you can tell from the photo, I'm very much into wearing plum and taupe nail polish during the autumn season. Plum is my favorite color and taupes are a great neutral with still a hint of color. First, Bahama Mama by Essie is a deep plum color. This nail polish has a huge cult following and I feel like everyone should have this color. It's my favorite out of the five because the color is such a gorgeous plum without being too dark. Next, Penguin Chick by Tanya Burr is a grey toned taupe color. I used to have such a love hate relationship with taupe nail polish until I tried this nail color because I love that it pulls a lot of grey. Then, the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy nail enamel in Hold 'Em is a dusty plum color. This Revlon nail polish has my favorite formula because the polish goes on really easily and stays on for so long. It also helps that this color is beautiful and more of a muted plum color instead of a bold dark plum. Essie's nail polish in The Lace is On is a jewel toned fuchsia plum. Autumn is all about the jewel tones and this color is probably the most on trend out of the five. It's bright and fun, but still a color you would expect during this time of the year. Lastly, Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in Almond is a creamy taupe color. This polish is the most neutral out of the five but its still a favorite because sometimes I just want to wear a color that goes with everything. I will definitely be wearing all of these nail colors all autumn long and I recommend for you to give them a try as well!

What are you favorite nail polish shades for the autumn season?

Summer Lovin' Tag

Seeing that it is officially summer, the season that everyone loves a little bit more then the rest, I thought it would be fitting to do the summer lovin' tag!

1. Summer lipstick you're loving?
I'm loving my Sephora Cream Lip Stain in African Violet and will be wearing it as much as possible during the summer.

2. Summer nail polish you're loving?
I am currently totally obsessed with my Essie Nail Polish in Flowerista and I just know I will be finding an excuse to wear it all summer.

3. Bikini you're loving this summer?
The swimsuit I'm already loving this summer is my new Victoria's Secret swimsuit top in the color electric violet and bottoms in the color white graffiti metallic.

4. Favorite summer Frappuccino from Starbucks?
Well, this question was too easy because I only ever order a Java Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks.

5. Favorite fake tan?
I'm not much of a fake tan person, but on occasion when I do feel the need to use fake tan I use my St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse because it looks natural and lasts a long time.

6. Favorite summer song?
Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon is definitely my favorite song this summer!

7. Favorite summer accessory?
Summertime heat and really long hair are two things that don't mix, which means anything that can keep my hair up like hairbands, hair bows, and headbands are my favorite summer accessories.

8. Favorite summer fragrance/perfume?
I have fallen back into love with my Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mist in Love Spell Bloom. The scent is fresh with many floral notes, which to me just smells like summer.

9. Summer book you're loving?
I'm currently having Paris withdraws so I'm loving my book How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are.

10. What are you most excited to do this summer?
I am most excited to go on vacation to Puerto Rico! I'm looking forward to sitting on the beach for two weeks and forgetting that the rest of the world exists.

Buy This Not That: Sephora Formula X Nail Polish Dupe

It is no surprise to anyone, especially if you follow my blog, that the Sephora Formula X Nail Polish in Love Chemistry is one of my favorite nail polish colors. It is a shimmery champagne color with rose gold glitter that I love to use as an accent nail color. Recently I found an exact dupe of the color at the fraction of the cost from the Maybelline Color Show nail lacquer line in Gilded Rose. It is amazing how similar the color is and the wear is almost the same as well. There is no need to go out and buy the Sephora Formula X version when the Maybelline version is just as good if not better!

March Beauty and Lifestyle Favorites

Well, we have officially made it through a quarter of 2015 can you believe it! March has always been an oddly favorite month in my mind my whole life, mainly because when I was in elementary school we got the entire month of March off, so I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it. Anyway, this has been my beauty transition month from my winter to spring makeup. I did a whole post about my spring makeup and if you haven't read it I'll link it here. So here are the things I have been loving during the month of March!

Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Framboise
This lip crayon has been my go to bright spring lip color all month long. Framboise is a vivid pink purple color that is an ideal transition lip color into spring. What I love most about the Bite Beauty matte creme lip crayons is they go on so smoothly, they don't even need a lip liner, and then they dry matte but stay hydrating on the lips all day.

Essie Flowerista Nail Polish
I have been waiting... and waiting... and waiting for this nail polish to be launched so I could purchase it and add it to my collection! I know, I just sounded like a crazy person, but everyone has their weird quirks, and this is just one of the many quirks I am guilty of having. The color of this nail polish is a beautiful bright plumy purple with a hint of magenta. It's the perfect spring color polish that isn't the typical pastel nail polish most associate with spring. Also, check out the rest of the colors from the Essie spring collection which was a collaboration with designer Rebecca Minkoff.

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Black Orchid
Maybelline came out with a few limited edition color tattoo shades for their Spring 2015 Rebel Bloom collection. Black Orchid is a lilac grey color with a metallic finish. I don't know when or how I found out about this specific eye shadow shade, but I knew I had to have it! Maybelline's color tattoo line is one of the best cream eye shadow lines in the beauty world and completely comparable to high end makeup brands but at a fraction of the price.

Soap & Glory Solar Powder
Springtime is the beginning of "sun kissed skin" season and the product I have been loving to achieve that look this month is my Soap & Glory Solar Powder. This is a two-toned bronzer with one light side and one dark side that can either be used separately or mixed together. Since this product is mainly accessible in the United Kingdom, which is where I purchased mine, I thought I would suggest some similar products that can be easily purchased in the United States. Both Elf and Physicians Formula have two-toned to multi-toned bronzers that are similar to the Soap & Glory Solar Powder. They both also have more bronzer options depending on your skin tone and the kind of bronzed look you are trying to achieve.

Netflix Original Series: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
If you have a Netflix account and haven't watched this show yet, you must put it on your "need to watch" list! I've already watched this show twice through because I love it that much and trust me, the jokes are even funnier the second time around! The basic premise of the show is that it's about a girl name Kimmy who has been kept in a bunker underground with a doomsday cult she was kidnapped into for over 15 years. Now that she has been rescued, she moves to New York City to start her life and live in a world she didn't know existed. If you were alive in the 90s, you will love this show even more! I say that because Kimmy's mind is basically still living in 1998 and a lot of the jokes center around that era. Each episode is only 20 minutes long and everyone has 20 minutes in their day for a good laugh from a great show!

Essie Comfy in Cashmere Matte Nail Polish

Essie has recently launched a new nail polish collection called Cashmere Matte. I am a total sucker for any new Essie polishes, so of course I was instantly drawn to this new collection. I chose to purchase the color Comfy in Cashmere which is a muted lavender grey with a hint of iridescent shimmer. This Essie polish's consistency is similar to other Essie polishes where it goes on evenly and opaque in just two coats, but unlike most nail polishes it dries with in seconds! The finish of the nail polish has a soft matte feel that requires no top coat. Of course I had to just add a touch of sparkle by painting an accent nail with the Sephora Formula X nail color in Love Chemistry.

Have you tried any of the other colors in the Essie Cashmere Matte collection?

Easy Holiday Nail Art

Nail art is an area that I will forever struggle with, but today I am sharing with you all my simple nail art for the holidays! Also, a big thank you to my sister Emily for being my hand model.

To achieve the look I used 7 products:

Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Almond

Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Gilded Rose

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel in Queen of Hearts

Fine Red Glitter

Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat

Clear Tape

First, apply clear base coat to all of your nails. Then, apply your neutral base nail polish on all your nails except one on each hand, which will be the accent nails. On the two nails you left blank, apply the red polish, which may need more than one coat. Next apply two coats of the gold glitter polish to the nails with the neutral polish. Once you have finished this part be sure to let your nails dry completely for at least an hour before continuing onto the next part. After your nails are completely dry, apply tape across all of your nails exposing only a small part of the tip. Then, on all the gold glitter nails, paint the tips with one coat of the red polish and sprinkle the red glitter over the top of the wet polish. Next, apply two coats of the gold glitter polish on the tips of the red nails. Once you have finished let your nails completely dry again for at least an hour before the final step of applying the clear top coat. Something great about this nail art is that not only is it simple, but it can be done all year round with many different colors!

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Dupe!

Nail polish is every girl's kryptonite, especially high end nail polish. I have been wanting the Deborah Lippmann nail polish in Mermaid's Dream ever since I saw it sitting beautifully on the shelf of nail polishes in Sephora. The only problem is the steep price of $20. I could never get myself to spend such an outrageous price on one nail polish. But then, I found out that Revlon made a nail polish in a similar color called Wintermint for a quarter of the price cheaper. The Revlon polish is in my opinion an exact dupe of the Deborah Lippmann polish, and its price makes it so much better!

Deborah Lippmann

Nail Lacquer - Glitter

Mermaid's Dream

$20.00

Revlon

Parfumerie Scented 

Nail Enamel

Wintermint

$5.39

My sister was nice enough to volunteer her nails to model the Revlon nail polish, (because my nails aren't in the best shape at the moment). As you can see, the polish is absolutely beautiful. It is a gorgeous sea foam green with metallic shades of blue glitter. It goes on the nails smoothly in two coats and, as a plus, gives off a lovely minty scent.

Have you discovered any other high end nail polish dupes?

Christmas Stocking Stuffers 2014

Christmas stockings are an important tradition in my family and for a lot of families across the world. Every Christmas morning the first thing I go for is my stocking to see what gifts it holds. For today's Blogmas post, I have put together a list of items I believe any girl would love to find within her stocking Christmas morning.

Anything from Bath & Body Works! (My favorite is Winter Candy Apple)

Portable Phone Charger (To charge your phone on the go)

Tech Gloves (To keep your hands warm and still be able to use your phone)

Scarf (I'm loving this green, blue, and white scarf from Urban Outfitters)

Rollerball perfume (Elizabeth and James Nirvana White perfume is heavenly)

Victoria's Secret mini perfumes (They're better than the full size)

Nail polish (Because what girl doesn't love nail polish)

What are you favorite stocking Stuffers?

P.S. Here's a behind the scenes photo of Cooper (AKA My Little Helper) 

The Winterlicious Tag

For today's Blogmas post I thought I'd do the Winterlicious Tag!

1. Favorite winter nail polish?

The Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Queen of Hearts is my new favorite nail polish to wear this time of year. It's a deep red color that is perfect for the holiday season. 

2. Favorite winter lip product?

My lips get quite dry this time of year, so my favorite winter lip product is the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm. I use this both morning and night to keep my lips moisturized during these cold winter months. 

3. Favorite winter scent/candle?

Winter Candy Apple by Bath & Body Works is the best holiday fragrance! It smells like sweet candied apples with a touch of maple and cinnamon. 

4. Favorite winter beverage?

Hot chocolate with lots and lots of mini marshmallows! 

5. All time favorite holiday movie?

Christmas Vacation! I know everyone wishes they were apart of the Griswold Family Christmas!

6. Favorite Christmas song?

All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. 

7. Favorite holiday food/treat?

My mom's assortment of Christmas treats she makes including cookies, fudge, cake pops, bread, and peanut butter balls! Yum!

8. Favorite Christmas decoration this year?

My favorite Christmas decoration is the ornament I made when I was 4 years old in preschool. I love that my mom has kept it all these years and it just holds such a special place in my heart.

9. What's at the top of your Christmas list?

As I've grown up, my Christmas list has become shorter and shorter, but for this year I would have to say black ankle boots. 

10. What are your plans for the holidays this year?

I actually don't have any special plans for the holidays this year other then spending time with my family and watching lots of Christmas movies. 

11. Most worn winter accessory?

My oversized plaid scarf has been my most worn winter accessory. I love that it's so soft and warm. It feels like you have a blanket wrapped around you and is perfect for this time of year. 

12. Most worn winter piece?

I live in my black cable knit fleece lined leggings during the winter season. They're so comfortable and go with almost every outfit.

What are some of your winterlicious favorites?

Merry Blogmas!

Merry Blogmas everyone! Every day in December leading up to Christmas I will be posting a new blog post! So be sure you sign up to follow my blog by email, follow me on Twitter: alyssawithlove_, follow me on Instagram: fromalyssawithlove, follow my blog on Bloglovin', follow my Pinterest: alyssawithlove_, and like my blog on Facebook, to stay up to date with all my posts, my daily life, and what I'm loving all month!

I Love Fall Tag

Fall is definitely my favorite season. When most people live for summer, I live for fall. I love chunky sweaters, big scarfs, dark lip colors, endless pumpkin pie, football on the television, and of course Halloween. For this post I thought it would be fun to do the "I Love Fall Tag" and share with you everything I love about this time of year.

Favorite Fall Lip Product?

Berry lips! I wait all year long to wear berry and dark lip colors. My favorites are Topshop's The Damned, Revlon's Plum Velour, Covergirl's Jumbo Gloss Balm in Jam Twist, and Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Plum Jam. 

Favorite Fall Nail Polish?


Essie's Bahama Mama is by far the most autumnal you'll get in a nail polish, even though the name makes it seem more like a summer shade. The color is a deep plum and goes on smoothly in just two coats. Some Essie polishes are known for chipping easily, but I find that I can wear this polish for four to five days before seeing any wear on my nails. Last year, I wore this polish for the majority of fall and I will probably repeat that this year. 

Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink?

I don't drink coffee and I am not too fond of hot drinks, so I'm sure you're wondering what could possibly be my favorite Starbucks fall drink. Well, I have to say that I do love their Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. I know, not very original picking something pumpkin spice but hey, it tastes like heaven!

Favorite Fall Candle?

You don't know, (but will know soon) that I have an unhealthy obsession with candles, especially Bath & Body Works seasonal candles. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin from Bath & Body Works is the best fall candle in the world! You must get this candle or at least go give it a sniff in the store because trust me, you will fall in love. 

Favorite Fall Scarf or Accessory?

Scarfs are my favorite accessory this time of year. They add extra color, texture, and warmth to any outfit. My favorite for fall is my mauve scarf from the BP collection at Nordstrom. It's not only light and soft, but it still keeps you warm when you're out in the crisp autumn weather.

Haunted House, Haunted Hayride, or Haunted Corn Maze?

I love Halloween and I love corn mazes, just not haunted ones. To me, corn mazes are more than just fun. They're a mixture of a puzzle and a memory game all at the same time. It's just a corn maze at night is scary enough for me, so I choose just a corn maze not a haunted one. 

Favorite Halloween Movie?

Hocus Pocus is my absolute favorite Halloween movie. If you haven't seen it, you must watch it!

Favorite Halloween Candy?

Candy Corn and Candy Pumpkins are so addicting this time of year!

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

It's a secret.. but you will soon find out.

What is you favorite thing about Fall?

The things that I love the most about fall would definitely be the crisp air and changing colors. Fall just feels like the world is new and starting over. And of course, the start of the holiday season just brings a smile to my face. 

So let me know, what do you love the most about fall?