Friday Favorites

Favorite Beauty Item Mario Badescu Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A

I've been really into exfoliating lately and have been a fan of Mario Badescu's products for a while now so I picked this up a few weeks ago.  This is a chemical exfoliant (as opposed to a physical one like a scrub), meaning it uses alpha hydroxy acids like peach extract and lactic acid to help remove dead skin.  I think the really cool thing about this though is how it works, you apply a very thin layer on your face, leave it on for one minute, and then gently massage your skin until the peel "rolls" off.  I have to confess that I am kind of obsessed with this because it is not only fun to use, but it makes my skin incredibly smooth!

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Favorite Change Barbie #TheDollEvolves Campaign

Mattel has recently given Barbie a makeover to promote body positivity.  The new Barbies come in three different body types and buyers will be able to customize things such as the doll's hair and skin colors, making Barbie a more realistic modern day girl.  As a Barbie lover I think it is really great that girls can now have Barbie's that will look more like them.  Check out this slideshow to see Barbie's Evolution from 1959 to 2016!

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Favorite Picture St. Thomas of Villanova Church in the Snow

We had a snow day on Monday and one of my sorority sisters took this gorgeous picture of the church on campus and was kind enough to let me regram it!  I think the church always looks beautiful, but it's even more gorgeous in the snow.  If you want to see more pictures from the storm and around campus make sure to follow me on Instagram at @theblushblonde!

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Favorite Beauty Info 8 Things You Didn't Know About Beauty Subscription Boxes

I've been really wanting to try a beauty subscription box for a while now, but to be completely honest all the subscriptions out there make it difficult to choose which one to get and I've been too overwhelmed to actually purchase one.  This article gives out great tips for which beauty boxes to buy and is super helpful!  I will definitely be looking into purchasing a beauty box using this article.

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Favorite Funny Taylor Swift and Her Cats

Taylor Swift is absolutely hysterical with her cats!  I'm not usually a cat person, but I love seeing the pictures and videos (with funny captions) she posts of her cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson, on her Instagram.  If you're looking for a good laugh scroll through her feed to check them out!

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What are your favorites this week?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Casual Friday, Friday Favorites, Oh Hey Friday!, Fab Favorites, The Pick, Five on Friday, Friday Favorites, and Friday Favorites.

Shopping Haul: Sephora

I've always loved Sephora, but in the past couple of months I've become really obsessed with shopping there.  I find myself shopping at Sephora more than I do anywhere or for anything else these days.  Earlier in the month I did a little damage and I thought it would be fun to share what I purchased!

Nude Skincare Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash 

This is hands down the coolest exfoliant I have ever used!  You put a nickle size amount of the powder on your hand and when you add water it not only becomes an exfoliant, but it fizzes too. Nude Skincare focuses on healthy and natural skincare products and this wash features vitamin C, enzymes, and pure oils.  The ingredients combine to gently exfoliate your skin, leaving it super soft. I love this and will definitely be repurchasing it, but not anytime soon because the bottle is pretty big!

Nude Skincare Advanced Renewal Overnight Repair Mask 

In case you can't tell I'm obsessed with Nude Skincare - their products just work so well!  I brought this because my skin has been incredibly dry from the winter.  This contains fig, honey, cupuaçu butter, and more to give your skin incredible hydration.  It also works to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, create a moisture barrier, and revitalize skin.  I've been using this for almost two weeks now and it has really helped with my incredibly dry skin.  I look forward to putting it on every night because it feels like it really nourishes and calms my skin.  If you're suffering from dry winter skin this is a must try. (Insider Tip: Go to any Sephora store and ask for a sample of this, they'll make you up one that should last for a few uses!)

Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask 

I have yet to try this (I brought an individual mask), but I purchased it because I read an article (which of course I can't find) about how great it is at clearing out your pores.  It contains spearmint and charcoal, among other ingredients, that help to detoxify and tighten your pores.  For me blackheads are always a concern so I'm really excited to give this a try!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Oh my gosh I don't think I have ever hated a mascara more than this one!  I had heard great reviews on several different blogs about this and was really excited to try it, but was super disappointed with the results.  After having it on for less than three hours it was literally smeared all under my eyes like I had rubbed my eyes, but I hadn't touched them.  After the initial issue I wiped off all the mascara under my eyes thinking that it would be all better, but it continued to smear down my face all day and I had to keep cleaning it up.  By the end of the day I felt like it was all over my face and that I looked like Taylor Swift crying in the "Blank Space" music video; there was literally no mascara left on my bottom lashes because it had all come off throughout the day.  I had really high hopes for this and was sad that it didn't work out for me!

SHOP THE POST HERE:

What are your favorite things to buy at Sephora?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Tutu Tuesdays, Confident Twosday, and Style Sessions.

Welcome to Tutu Tuesdays a linkup with The Blush Blonde and The Fairy Princess Diaries!  Linkup whatever you'd like and make sure to do a little mingling - our goal here is to create a community of bloggers where we can all connect, find new blogs, and support one another.  We love new friends, supporting other blogs, and meeting fellow girl bosses!

There are just a few rules we ask you follow to join in on Tutu Tuesdays:

1. Please follow both Jordyn and me, your lovely hosts, on Instagram and/or Bloglovin.

Kristin: The Blush Blonde  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram

Jordyn: The Fairy Princess Diaries  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram

2. Link to your specific post, not your blog's main page.

3. Grab our super cute button or share a link to Tutu Tuesdays in the post you are linking up so everyone can know about the party!

4. Have fun and mingle with other bloggers that have linked up!  Like I said we want everyone to make new friends!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.theblushblonde.com/" title=“Tutu Tuesday"><img src="http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab203/blondi52145/button250_zpsnqtszhlp.png" alt=“Tutu Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Twenty Four Facts

I haven't done a post in a while that lets you get to know me a little bit better.  I thought in honor of my 24th Birthday last Friday it would be fun to share 24 random facts about myself so that you can get to know the girl behind The Blush Blonde.

1. I have never dyed my hair and it actually used to be lighter when I was a kid!

2. I could eat Italian food everyday and never get sick of it.

3. I have a lot of food allergies, and well allergies in general.  As far as food goes I'm fructose intolerant, lactose intolerant, wheat intolerant, have an anaphylactic allergy to tree nuts, and have a list of other foods that trigger my Crohn's Disease.  Eating is not always easy and sometimes I do cheat (mostly with wheat because it's what I'm least allergic to!), but I make it work and thankfully I love to cook!

4. I've recently gotten really into the 'Documentary' section on Netflix and have watched way too many over the past few weeks.

5. I have a terrible of habit of eating late night snacks in bed before I go to sleep.

6. I love crime drama television shows.

7. I am a major beauty product hoarder.

8. I am a founding member of my sorority.

9. Villanova (where I go to school) was my top choice college.

10. I do not know what I want to do after I graduate and I graduate in May.

11. I am very, very close with my immediate family.

12. Fall is my favorite season because of the weather.

13. Champagne is my drink of choice.

14. I'm terrible at dealing with my feelings.

15. I love my iPad, but when it comes to magazines I prefer the real thing to the digital version; in my opinion there's nothing like the feel and smell of a fashion magazine.

16. I wear leggings way more then I would care to admit to.

17. I was really sick in high school and was mostly home instructed instead of going to school.

18. I went to Greece in 2014 and visited Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.

19. I am not a morning person at all.

20. My most recent purchases have been from Sephora.

21. My favorite music is late 90s/early 2000s pop (Britney Spears, *NSYNC, etc.).

22. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who don't know the difference between your and you're.

23. The number one place I want to travel to is Paris.

24. I'm not really an ice cream person, but when the craving strikes chocolate chip mint is my favorite flavor.

Now that you know more about me, I'd love to hear more about you below!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with #HowIFall, Hello Monday, Let It Shine, Weekending, and MIMM.

24 Birthday Wishes From My Blogger Bestie

Jordyn (of the fabulous The Fairy Princess Diaries) and I have been blogger besties for a while now and we became friends when we realized just how much we have in common.  I would say one of the funniest things that we have in common is that we're both January babies and our birthdays are less than a week apart!  Last year we started a fun tradition by switching blogs for our birthdays so that we could celebrate each other from all the way across the country (she's on the West Coast and I'm on the East Coast!).  I'm so happy that we decided to keep the tradition going this year - last Friday I guest posted for her birthday and today she is taking over for mine!  Jordyn wrote the absolute sweetest post and I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up a bit because I was so touched by her kind words, seriously she is the sweetest!  Without any further ado I'm going to allow Jordyn to take over so that I can get to celebrating! xoxo Kristin

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Today a very special girl turns 24. One of the most difficult part about the blogging community is the physical distance between the close friendships we cultivate. Kristin has become a real friend to me over the years and it is so disappointing I can't see her in person to celebrate the day she was born. I'm sure many of you can relate to the feeling of wishing you could gather up all your blogger besties the way you can with your friends in your home city or state. Today I want to give Kristin a virtual birthday celebration! Happy 24th Birthday Kristin!

So far I don't know much about being 24 (I turned 24 on Sunday, and Kristin kindly wrote the sweetest birthday post for my blog) but I know there are gifts, experiences and emotions I wish for someone as sweet and lovely as Kristin! Last year I shared 23 wishes for the Birthday Princess, this year I want to share an updated version.

1.I hope you relish your last bit of undergrad, embrace the chaos that is senior year of college and don't wish it away. College is challenging, and frustrating and sometimes discouraging but the grown-up world is too. Take too many pictures, let yourself get a little too wrapped up in sorority drama and wear yoga pants to class sometimes (because you can)!

2. Blow your savings on a cute new Tory Burch bag, or tickets to a Taylor Swift concert or a girl's weekend with your bestie because as we decided being a "real grown up" starts at 25.

3. I hope you have many opportunities to stay up late watching Gossip Girl reruns and sleep in on Sunday morning cuddling with your puppy.

4. And that this year offers new experiences (good and bad, but mostly good) that help you realize who you are, define what you want and become even stronger than you already are.

5. Take every opportunity to overdress for the occasion, I don't think Kate Middleton ever feels awkward for being the best dressed in the room (real princesses don't).

6. Dance the night away with your girlfriends without ever worrying if you're going to scuff your flats or get a blister or two from your heels.

7. Forget about the boys who send mixed signals, who only text you after 10:00pm and who drool over you like a dog with a steak. You are beautiful and smart and capable. Being single doesn't mean you aren't fabulous, and dating the wrong guy is always regrettable.

8. No matter what our friends are doing, focus on yourself and your happiness before developing diamond ring tunnel vision. Planning a wedding is surely a whole lot of fun, but having an established life you can call your own before settling down is so, so powerful.

9. May your closet be as trendy as Kendall Jenner's and your selfies be as glamourous as Gigi Hadid's.

10. I hope your hair always looks as perfect as Amber Fillerup's braids.

11. Let this year be the year you say "yes" to adventure and perhaps to a few cute new handbags as well.

12. Kiss sadness goodbye and stay positive whenever possible. When you can't be positive, take a hot bath. It's okay to let yourself fall apart as long as you pick yourself back up.

13. Even though we probably can't be Victoria's Secret Angels (still not accepting this as fact) I hope you feel as gorgeous and glamourous as an angel everyday. You're stunning, but your true beauty shines even brighter from within and even a bad hair day can't take that away.

14. May your Mondays be as memorable as your Fridays.

15. And even your worst day be better than the bad days you had at 23.

16. Don't forget the people who love you, and never be afraid to turn to them when life feels irritating, confusing or a little bit scary. I'm only a text message away!

17. I hope Taylor and Blake invite you on their next Australian theme park adventure (and then you persuade them to let me tag along too).

18. May your kitchen always be filled with homemade cookies and cupcakes and sweets (and may you never gain a single pound).

19. Continue laughing off the weirdos of the world (like the couples who want you to be their girlfriend) and shaking off the haters (it's what Taylor Swift would want).

20. Strive for greatness, outline your goals, celebrate your successes but don't be too hard on yourself if you fail. Being 23 was hard and I imagine 24 won't be much easier. Learn from your bad days, they make the good days feel so much better.

21. Appreciate the beauty of the snow (hello, gorgeous Instagram photos), dance in the rain and never forget to find magic in the ordinary. Creating your own sunshine makes life feel that much more glorious.

22. Read Vogue religiously, shamelessly obsess over Cosmo and remember you're only 24 once, life doesn't have to be all Wall Street Journal serious all the time.

23. Book a ticket to Seattle, or California and spend a blogger bestie weekend with me. This one is more of a demand than a wish, please...pretty please?!

24. Wishing you a birthday cake you can eat without any allergic reactions and unlimited champagne to add sparkles and bubbles to the start of this next chapter!

Thank you for being such a wonderful friend Kristin. Your kindness is a gift to both me and the blogging community. I'm looking forward to seeing where you're headed this year!

The Fairy Princess Diaries|Twitter|Instagram|Facebook

Today I'm linking up with Casual Friday, Friday Favorites, Fab Favorites, and Friday Favorites.

The Ultimate Birthday Playlist

Tomorrow is my birthday and I couldn't be more excited!  I'm having dinner and drinks with my friends tomorrow night to celebrate and while I get ready I definitely want to have some good music to get me in a birthday mood.  I thought it would be fun to put together an "Ultimate Birthday Playlist" with songs that are all about birthday fun.  When I started to put together my list I realized just how many good birthday music there is and I can't wait to listen to it tomorrow!  Below is my awesome birthday playlist - make sure to save it for when your birthday comes!

Click here to listen to all of the songs on the playlist!

Birthday  /  Birthday Sex  /  Birthday Cake (Remix)

Birthday  /  Birthday Song  /  In Da Club

Say Aah  /  This Is My Party  /  Like It's Her Birthday

What are your favorite songs to celebrate your birthday to?

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Tuesday Ten: Favorite Snapchat Accounts

I love how bloggers have been using Snapchat to give a behind the scenes look at their lives (make sure to add me kthomp22!).  I think it's really cool to get a glimpse at the real lives of people and what they have going on.  I follow different bloggers and celebrities and while they're all great I do have my favorites.  Today I have for you my ten favorite Snapchat accounts, which in my opinion are must follows.

Emily Gemma

{emilyanngemm}

Emily from The Sweetest Thing is a very avid Snapchatter and really gives an inside look into her life with her husband and too cute pup Fitz.  She shares different beauty tips, shows you all of her travels, and even lists items for sale.  A few days ago she did a Snapchat Q&A with answers from followers that was really great way to learn more about her!

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Amber Fillerup

{amberfillerup}

Amber from Barefoot Blonde has the most cutest Snapchat!  She's always Snapchatting her adorable kids and pup on their daily adventures.  I really get a kick out of her son and his toddler shenanigans - he's hysterical!  You will also get to see all of her travels and the awesome fashion and beauty events she attends.

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Taylor Wolfe

{thedailytay}

Taylor from The Daily Tay has the funniest Snapchat out there.  I literally laugh out loud every time I watch her Snaps because they are that funny.  She makes fun of typical blogger problems and is always Snapping her dog, Harlow.  You need to follow her now, you will love it.

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Caitlin Lindquist

{dashofdarling}

Caitlin from Dash of Darling has one of the realist blogger Snapchats out there and I love her for it.  She Snapchats her travels, her day to day life, and her cute dogs, but she also shares her struggles with fertility, which I think is incredibly brave.  I always love hearing what Caitlin has to say and I am always cheering for her!

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Emily Schuman

{e.schuman}

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere gives you a real behind the scenes look at her life with her Snapchats.  She Snaps just what's going on at the Cupcakes and Cashmere headquarters and all of the products she loves.  She also shares pictures and videos of her adorable daughter and life at home.

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Rachel Parcell

{rachparcell}

Rachel from Pink Peonies is always Snapchatting and shares her life at home with her followers.  I love watching her cute daughter Isla and their pup together, what is cuter than a baby and a dog?!  You also get to see her travels, what goes on behind her blog, and a lot of quality time with her big family.

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Emily Jackson

{emilyijackson}

Emily from Ivory Lane (who is Rachel's sister!) uses her Snapchat to show everyone her life at home.  She has two kids and two pups, which are adorable!  My favorite is watching her son with their new puppy Max, they like to get into mischief together, which is so funny.  Emily also shares time she spends with her extended family and all of their adventures.

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Julia Engel

{galmeetsglam}

Julia from Gal Meets Glam Snapchats her daily life in San Francisco with her husband, and their travels.  I love seeing her Snaps when she is traveling because she goes so many amazing places and documents it really well.  It's also awesome to see her day to day life because you get to see her casual and funny sides.

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Sydney Carver

{summerwind41490}

Sydney from Summer Wind gives you an inside look at her life with her Snapchat.  I really love when she shares her fashion and beauty opinions on new products she's gotten.  She also shares her travels, her favorite music, nights out with friends, sneak peeks at blog posts, and what's going on in her day to day life.

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Carly Heitlinger

{collegeprepster}

Carly of The College Prepster shares her life in Connecticut on her Snapchat.  There are so many adorable videos and pictures of her dog Teddy, which are great to watch.  She also shares adventures of life as a twentysomething, her travels, and time with her boyfriend.

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So these are all of my favorite Snapchats!  What accounts are your favorites?!

  

                

Make sure to add me on Snapchat - @kthomp22!

Today I'm linking up with Tutu Tuesdays, Confident Twosday, and Style Sessions.

Welcome to Tutu Tuesdays a linkup with The Blush Blonde and The Fairy Princess Diaries!  Linkup whatever you'd like and make sure to do a little mingling - our goal here is to create a community of bloggers where we can all connect, find new blogs, and support one another.  We love new friends, supporting other blogs, and meeting fellow girl bosses!

There are just a few rules we ask you follow to join in on Tutu Tuesdays:

1. Please follow both Jordyn and me, your lovely hosts, on Instagram and/or Bloglovin.

Kristin: The Blush Blonde  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram

Jordyn: The Fairy Princess Diaries  |  Bloglovin'  |  Instagram

2. Link to your specific post, not your blog's main page.

3. Grab our super cute button or share a link to Tutu Tuesdays in the post you are linking up so everyone can know about the party!

4. Have fun and mingle with other bloggers that have linked up!  Like I said we want everyone to make new friends!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.theblushblonde.com/" title=“Tutu Tuesday"><img src="http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab203/blondi52145/button250_zpsnqtszhlp.png" alt=“Tutu Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>