Category: College

August Makeup Wishlist (Study Motivation)

August Makeup Wishlist (Study Motivation)

Posted on by Steph

It’s no secret that I love browsing the Sephora app in my spare time, and since it’s the beginning of a new semester I thought I will do a Makeup Wishlist to keep myself motivated.  And this one is very special since it’s the last semester of my Masters Degree, this 3 years went flying by, I still remember my first day, nervous and excited, now I am still excited but instead of nervous I am exhausted, so I need all the motivation I can get.

My makeup wishlist are things I will like to buy myself at the end of the semester as a reward for doing my best during the school months. Browsing in the Sephora app, the store, plus watching Youtube videos, this were the products that caught my eye.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Kilawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Girl Next Door / Chic Phreak

The last time I went to Sephora an employee tried this highlighter on me, and it look so pretty. Of course me being the highlighter addict that I am, I fell in love. It has been on the top of my wishlist since that day.  Plus it’s Fenty Beauty, and everyone is raving about it, I want to truly experience the brand myself.

Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Coral 

This little and beautiful palette caught my eye when I was at the store.  To me it just screams Fall, and I love everything Fall, even though here in Puerto Rico is always Summer.  I love this colors, and I know this is a palette that I will use a lot.  And like Fenty Beauty, Huda Beauty is a brand that a lot of people rave about, and I want to give them a try too.

Stila Glitter On The Go Eye Shadow Set 

When the time comes for me to buy myself things from this list we are going to be in the Holiday Season, and when I saw this product in the app I immediately thought of all the fun looks I could create during the Holidays with it.  I had a vision of me with a beautiful sparkly eye makeup during the festivities, plus, I think that during that season, glitter is a necessity, am I the only one?

Too Faced Melted Matte-Tallic Liquified Metallic Matte Lipstic in Bitch, I am Too Faced

And what better way to finish a festive look than with a red lip? I have been thinking about doing the 12 Days of Red Lipstick this year again, so I have to start looking for new lipsticks. I haven’t actually seen the product, but in my mind it looks so good, red and metallic, yes please. Plus it’s Too Faced, and so long I haven’t had anything bad to say about this brand, so I am trusting them. If you have a favorite red lipstick, please be sure to tell me in the comments below.

Morphe X Jaclyn Hill The Master Collection

Ok, so not everything is from Sephora, (like in my last Makeup Wishlist), this one is from Morphe, and not just that, is a Morphe x Jaclyn Hill product, yes, again. It’s no secret I love Jaclyn Hill and everything I have bought from hers I love. I have been thinking about buying new brushes for a while now, and just recently Jaclyn and Morphe came out with this, and I took that as a sign. The kit comes with 24 brushes, plus that gorgeous sparkly case, and yes, I consider the price to be a bit extravagant, but I think I deserve a super nice Christmas present, so that it’s my plan.

What’s on your makeup wishlist? Are any of this products something you want to buy? Also, what things you do to motivate yourself to get tings acomplished? Let me know everything in the comments below.

Never stop dreaming,

♥ Steph

S.O.S.- Study Over Sleep: Setting Goals

S.O.S.- Study Over Sleep: Setting Goals

Posted on by Steph

 
It’s back to school season, and for students like me, this can be a big deal. Since classes have already started or are about to start for others, I wanted to share a tip to stay motivated and focused during the new school year and that is setting goals. I thought it will be easy to divide them in categories, to make them simple and to keep a better track of them. The important thing here is to make them realistic, doable and to not put to much pressure on yourself, just enough to bring out the best of you. 

     1. Long term
 

This one is the end result. It can be something you want to accomplish or have accomplished at the end of the semester or school year. Be specific and also write why you want to accomplish it.

     2. Short term 

This will be a goal that will help you accomplish your long term one or at least keep you on the right track or mind set to get to the end result you want. Again, be specific and write how doing it will help you.

     3. Right now 

This will be something you have to do often. Think of what you need to do constantly that will help you accomplish or remind you of your short and long term goals.
There has to be a short term and a right now goal for every long term goal you want to accomplish. They will be the map, or steps, you will have to follow to get to where you want to be.
To give you an idea I will share one of mines.
  1. Long term – Pass the comprehensive exam: Necessary to graduate from my Masters Degree and if I don’t pass it, it will set me back on other things I want to accomplish, like taking the exam for my professional license.
  2. Short term – Make a review of all the classes: It will help me to be organized and have everything I need to study.
  3. Right now – Study at least 4 times a week for 1 to 2 hours (break times not included).
Be sure to also plan a reward for accomplishing your goals, it can be anything from giving yourself free time, binge on Netflix for a day or buy your self something you really want. Be creative and make it fun.
My reward: finishing my masters in December and having a celebratory getaway weekend.
Another important tip, choose someone to share your goals with, someone responsible, who will make you accountable for them and who will be willing to give you a bit of motivation if you start lacking. Also, have your goals written out somewhere visible, this way you won’t forget them and you will keep them fresh in your mind.
If you are a student right know, what are you most looking forward to in this new school year? If not, what would you have done differently when you were studying? Leave me your comment bellow, I will love to know.
Never stop dreaming,
♥ Steph
End of Semester Makeup Wishlist (June 2018)

End of Semester Makeup Wishlist (June 2018)

Posted on by Steph

It has been a while since I haven’t made a Makeup Wishlist. I usually do them at the start of a semester as motivation, and I tell my self I will buy something from the list if I believe I performed at the best of my abilities. This time I didn’t do one in January, but I strongly believe that this semester I did a great job joggling everything from my clases, my college practice, my actual work, writing for the blog and my social live, so I have earned one makeup product, or more, for my hard work.

As motivation for the last weeks of June I decided to go on the Sephora app to make my wishlist of things I want to buy for myself. And since my birthday is next month, I have the perfect excuse to splurge on my self. I will definitely not buy everything, at least not for now, but this are the products that have caught my eye and that I want to have.

The first thing on my list isn’t from Sephora, but is at the top of my list, I don’t even think I will wait until my birthday. The new Vault Collection from Morphe X Jaclyn Hill has me all excited! I love my The Jaclyn Hill palette, the shadows are great quality, super pigmented and just beautiful and versatile, and looking at the new shades I know this ones will become a favorite as fast as the first one. Click here to see her swatching the different shades so that you fall in love like me.

I have heard great things from this Vitamin Enriched Fase Base Moisturizer by Bobby Brown. This is one of the products I want to try for myself. I am looking forward to using this as a primer before my face makeup. It says it moisturizes and protects from environmental damage. Of course I want that for my skin.

This Gradient Sunlit Bronzer in Sunrise Waves from Becca looks like a perfect summer dream. I can wait to play with it and create bronzy summer makeup looks with it. Plus the highlighter at the conners is Opal, which is one of Becca highlighter that I have been wanting to try.

My go to makeup usually consists of contouring with a matte bronzer and adding highlighter and thats all for the cheeks. So I want to try a new one. Browsing on the Sephora app I found this one, the O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan, and it has all 5 stars reviews, I immediately went to YouTube to see reviews and all I found where good ones, and of course now I want it. I think this bronzer paired with the Becca Bronzer will look amazing!

Of course a highlighter had to made it’s way on to my list, this one is a Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter Moonstone. And of course it had to be a Becca Cosmetics one. Since my Rose Gold Becca Highlighter died, I clumsily dropped it to the floor and it shattered (it was so sad), I have been wanting to try another one. I love my Champagne Pop by Jaclyn Hill (yes, I love her) highlighter and this one looks like it a bit, but it’s lighter, more neutral, so I think I may go with this one. No matter the shade, my next highlighter will be a Becca one.

And there you have it. The month of July will be for treating myself, having fun, and also for doing stuff and purchasing things that I really want and enjoy, like for example conquering my Summer Bucket List, that you can read here, and purchasing some (or all) things in my Makeup Wishlist.

Have you tried any of this products? What makeup products are you excited to try or own? Let me know in the comments below so that I have an excuse to go “window” shopping on the internet.

Never stop dreaming,

♥ Steph

S.O.S: Motivation and Study Routine Essentials

S.O.S: Motivation and Study Routine Essentials

Posted on by Steph

Another episode of S.O.S. – Study Over Sleep! It has been a while!

This pasts weeks have been so hard, but specially this one. The semester is coming to an end and I have so much to do. It has been extremely hard balancing my actual work, classes, my university practice and my social life. I knew it was going to be hard, but I couldn’t imagine how hard it will actually be.

When I am feeling sad and low, and on desperate need of motivation, I go on pinterest, that is my number one source for motivational quotes and I thought I should share the one I found today.

Source: Pinterest/Tumblr

This one punched me in the face. I am so close to the finish line and so many times I have tought of quitting something of all the things I have going on, specially when I feel really overwhelmed. Fortunately I haven’t taken any decisions on those moments of weakness and always try to look for a way to calm myself and keep going strong.

Being finals season, I know I’m not the only one feeling this way. I wanted to share what I do to calm and refocused myself, when I am feeling overwhelmed and my energy is low (apart from searching on Pinterest for motivational quotes).

This first one shouldn’t come as a surprise. I take a shower. The first reason for this is because my apartment is really hot, and that doesn’t help when I am feeling frustrated. And second, I am sure you already know, but I love taking showers and using good smelling products, plus I incorporate mindfulness meditation to my showers to make them extra relaxing. Just taking a shower lifts my mood and helps me relax and be calm, the next things I will mention I use to help prolong this calm feeling.

I prepare a relaxing environment, first I light up a candle, love this one from Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy line in Calm, very fitting and I enjoy the scent.

Second, I take my amethyst crystal, and set an intention for it to help me relax and concentrate. This crystal is said to help with stress and anxiety and that is why I have made it part of my calming routine for when I am studying.

Third, I put on some instrumental music playlist on Spotify. I choose a playlist at random from the Focus category. I like choosing songs without lyrics because it helps me concentrate more. I am one that can’t study if I don’t have peace and complete silence, but this type of music helps me concentrate more and feel more relaxed.

While I wait for the delicious scent and good energy to invade my home, I take a glass of ice cold water and if I have lemons I will add one to make it extra special and tasty. This helps me stay refreshed and hydrated.

The last thing is to control has much as you can your distractions. No Netflix or Youtube when you are feeling stressed. Believe me, I am one to do all the things I can while watching some videos, but when I am feeling frustrated and don’t want to do all the things I have to do, adding distractions like those will just end badly. I will not concentrate in the task at hand, and the probability of spending hours doing nothing are high. After you have finish doing the work, reward yourself with a episode or two and then continue with another task. Plus, studies have shown that multitasking really doesn’t work and it’s not productive.

So there you have it, my calming studying essentials. I hope it helps you in times of need.

I will love to know what you do when you are feeling overwhelmed and with a lot of things on your life. I will love to learn new things from you, so leave me a comment with your recommendations.

Never stop dreaming,

♥ Steph

October Makeup Wishlist (Study Motivation)

Posted on by Steph

I tend to always do a Makeup Wishlist at the start of a new semester, but this semester I didn’t came around do it.  Now that this term is coming to an end, I feel like this is the perfect time to do it, I really need the inspiration.  My goal with these wishlists is to give my best, try to earn good grades, and at the end of the semester I will reward my myself with something from the list.  They are usually high-end products, but this time I have 2 drugstore products that I really want.

1. NYX Cosmetics Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick

I have to admit I was late to this party, while everyone was raving about them they didn’t caught my eye.  One day I was looking for a brown lipstick and found Teddy, and decided to give it a try.  If you follow me on Instagram, this goes without saying, I am obsessed with it, I think that I wear it 4 out 7 days in the week, it looks so pretty, and it feels so good.  (I also created a “The Look” post with it, you can read it here.)  After that I went and bought Exotic that I also really like. Now I am determined to own the majority of the shades, if not all of them, I am that obsessed.

2. Wet n’ Wild ColorIcon Rainbow Highlighter

I have to confess that the only reason I haven’t bought this highlighter yet is because I can’t find it anywhere, I think it hasn’t come to Puerto Rico yet (If someone knows where I could find it, please let me know).  I really think that as soon as I see it on stores I will be buying it.  It looks so pretty, so colorful, I don’t own anything like it, it will be so fun to have in my collection. Can’t wait!


3.  Urban Decay Ultimate Naked Basics

I am sure this is a product I NEED in my life.  I love all my Naked palettes (the only one I don’t own is the Naked Smokey one, and it’s on my first Study Motivation Makeup Wishlist that you can see here, and I still want it).  But this palette looks perfect for everyday, I don’t wear eye shadows everyday, but with this I am sure I will.  The colors look so pretty, and the different shades will work well from a everyday natural look to a dramatic smokey eye.

4. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

Highlighters are part of my everyday makeup routine. My favorite highlighter is Champagne Pop by Jaclyn Hill from Becca, and I really want to try another one from them, in hopes that it is the same formula and pigmentation as Champagne Pop.  I have my eye on Opal because of the color.  I tend to always go for golden/bronze shades in my highlighters, this one is gold but has a hint of pink in it, which makes me very attracted to it. I am dreaming about it.

5. Kat Von D Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick Set

How cute does those colors look?! I don’t own anything from Kat Von D, but most of the time they make their way into my Wishlists, I am hoping I can change that soon and this set looks like it may be it. This 8 shades go from natural to dramatic, and I am a firm believer that a girl needs to have choices.  I can see my self on a Friday night rocking that blue shade, yes please!  They have really good reviews, I am excited to see them personally on Sephora.

I will love to know what is currently on your makeup wishlist, be sure to let me know in the comment section below.

Always dreaming,

♥ Steph

Notebook Decor DIY

Posted on by Steph

I am so excited for my classes to start this semester, I want to use all the goodies I bought for back to school (you can see my haul here). 
I found this really cute notebook at Walmart, that I really liked because of the post it notes and flags inside.
The only thing making it not perfect for me was that it is a one subject notebook, I have two classes per term this semester, and I like having just one notebook to carry around. I decided that I would fix that in a very cute and motivational way.
It was super easy, I used scrapbook paper, that I cut to fit the page and made the holes to it, so that it looked like the page and glued the scrapbook paper to the page on the notebook. I did this to the first page, and to another to the middle of the notebook. 
To make it easy to find my notes to a specific class, I put a green tab (to stay with color scheme) in the decorated pages. 
Super easy! It looks super cute, and the quotes for sure will keep me motivated thru this term. I like how it turned out, and I am thinking of always doing this to my notebooks, I love having motivational quotes to read. 

Stay motivated on making your dreams come true!
♥ Steph

Back to School Haul – August, 2016

Posted on by Steph

Back to School time!

I’m so excited for back to school, being honest, I’ve been excited to go back to school since classes finished in may.  I already had bought my backpack when June started, and my classes don’t start again till the end of this month, but I am super ready for when the day comes.
For all the reason I have to be excited to go back to having a lot of things to do and not much free time (although I had a very busy summer, I’ve haven’t had much free time…), school supplies are my all #1 favorite reason.  New notebook, but specially new pens make me so happy.
So, here are the things that I bought for this new semester.

Backpack

When the semester ended in may, I started an intense research to find the perfect backpack for me.  It had to be big, really big, where I could put all my things in, without feeling like it would explode. And after lots of Youtube videos I decided that I wanted a JanSport Big Student Backpack, the adventure was finding one I really liked.  I went to a lot of Journeys stores, but they only had it in black, and that was just to plain and dark for me, I didn’t want to buy it online ’cause I wanted to see it first, so I keep doing more research and found that they sell them in JCP stores, I went to the store and I found this cute floral one. Yay! Here is the link to buy it on amazon, if you are interested.

Notebook

I found this notebook browsing trough the office and school supplies aisles at Walmart.  The pretty bright pink color was the first thing that caught my eye and I really liked the idea of the bright green band holding it together, but when I opened it has sticky notes and flags attach to it! How clever! The only downside was that is a one subject notebook, but I fixed that, and you can read about it here.

Planner

Oh, this planner! I am so in love with my Erin Condren Life Planner! Totally worth every penny! I have always love planners but I never stick to them, cause I’ve never found one that I really liked and that would work great for what I wanted.  I’ve been eyeing this planner for more that a year, maybe two, but I was afraid of spending so much money in something that could end at the back of a messy drawer.  After much thinking and planning in my mind how I would use it I went and made the order, I couldn’t be more happy.  I will have a post very soon telling you my thoughts on it and how I use it.

Colorful Pens

I saw this Paper Mate Ink Joy Gel Pens at Walgreens, (Did I mention that I love school/office supplies and that I love walking trough those aisles at stores? ‘Cause I really do!), they were in a pack of 6 for like $10, and they caught my eye.  That week a spent a little too much time doing a research on pens, watching Youtube videos, reading blogs and reviews, and my search ended in Amazon.  After all my research I decided this were the ones I wanted and I found this pack of 14 pens for $15, a great deal! Sadly, as I’m writing this they are no longer at that price, but here is the link if you want to check them out.  I am loving everything about them, how they look, the colors and how they write.

Blue Pens

 
I prefer writing my notes in pen, specially blue ones.  This Pilot G2 pens are my all time favorites, although those Paper Mate Gel pens may be giving them a run for their money.  I also talk about this pens on another post that you can go read here.

More Colorful Pens

I love the Pilot G2 pens in blue, so I guess I couldn’t go wrong with these Pilot G2 colorful ones.  Totally unnecessary, I know, but they are so cute, I am loving the burgundy color one.  Except for the pink one, the colors are different from the Paper Mate ones, and I am totally happy with 2 pink pens.

Highlighters

I love marking things in color, which means I have a lot of highlighters, in my pencil pouch for school, at my desk at home and at work, but non are like this ones.  So, this purchase is totally acceptable, right? (Please say yes.)  This Sharpie’s Highlighters are so great! You can see trough them so you know exactly when to stop, ’cause I personally hate when I keep highlighting something that I didn’t want to, just ’cause I didn’t see it, now I won’t have that problem.

Eraser 

I take my notes on pens, but in exams I prefer to write with a pencil, because if I make a mistake I find it easier to erase it and keep writing, that if I were writing with a pen.  I bought this cute pink eraser at Walgreens one day at my lunch break, to use it for work, but liked it so much, it does a great job not leaving any mark, that I went the next day and bought another one to keep at my pencil pouch for school.
Do you share my love for school/office suplies?  What gets you or got you more excited for back to school? Please let me know in the comments below.
I’m excited for the new semester and to keep writing on the blog.  Be on the look out for a look inside my Erin Condren Life Planner.
Keep dreaming life and working for your dreams.
♥ Steph

S.O.S- Study Over Sleep: Episode 4

Posted on by Steph

Today I bring you another episode of Study Over Sleep. For me it’s the beginning of a new school term, and after what happened last time, you can read about it in episode 3, I decided that I was not going to let that happen again.  So here I am, super motivated, and willing to sacrifice hours studying instead of watching makeup tutorial on youtube and going out too often.

This episode study tip is:

Rewriting your notes

I know that maybe this tip can’t be done for every class, but for me it works perfectly.  For example in my Biological Bases of Behavior class the professor gives the lecture with a power point presentation that she sends everyone via email, what I do in class is take notes of things she explains and examples that she gives.  After the class, whenever I have the time and sit with the power point presentation, my notebook and the computer, and I write what is in the presentation with the notes I took, so that way everything is organize and in one place, which will make it easier to study.

This helps you to review what was giving in class and helps you identify if you have doubts.  You will keep adding to it every time you take the class and when it comes time to study for the exam you will have your document to study from.

Another thing I do, is that I send the document to my email, that way I can opened it in my cellphone, so I have my notes with me always and I don’t have an excuse to not study.

I hope this study tip can be useful to you.

Here are my other Study Over Sleep posts:
Episode 1 – Study every day
Episode 2 – Flashcards
Episode 3 – Finding the perfect study spot

Never stop working on your dreams.

♥ Steph

S.O.S- Study Over Sleep: Episode 3

Posted on by Steph

I have abandon Dreaming Life in Pink for 2 weeks, I feel so bad, but is a consequence of some bad choices.  When I started this new term at the University, which consist of only 8 weeks I took things so calmly, only though of things that I had to do for that week and didn’t keep in mind bigger assignments that are due for the end of this term, and know I have paid for it, mainly with lack of sleep, which is oh so not good.
I decided to get back to blogging with no other than a S.O.S. Study Over Sleep Episode (very fitting to my situation the past couple of weeks).

The perfect study spot.

You need to have a special place to study, were you feel comfortable, where you are able to concentrate and have all the things you need to do your work.
Things to keep in mind:
Choose a place that is accessible: 
It could be a place in your home (bedroom, living room, patio, etc), university or school (library, classroom that is not in use, recreational areas), or any other place were you feel comfortable. Tip: Never, ever, study in your bed, your body accustomed to sleeping there and you will have a harder time concentrating and battling the though of taking a nap.
What are your study needs: 
If you need your computer, look for a place with a power outlet.  Need to concentrate, avoid crowded places. Need to have a open book, notebooks and other supplies, choose a place with a table that can feet everything.
Know your self:
If you have trouble concentrating avoid crowed/noisy places and open places were is more likely for someone to come up to you and start talking. 
My places:
The University Library: If I’m doing something in the computer or anything else that doesn’t need to much concentration, and I want to do something productive in my free time. I’m one of those that needs complete silence to study.
My desk: I use my desk for everything study related, and specially if I need to really concentrate. I try to not to anything else there, so that my mind knows that we are in study mode once I sit on that chair. 
The Beach: This weekend I found my favorite place to do University work, but the beach as always been my favorite place.  I brought the papers I needed, a notebook and my pencil pouch and got to work, it was so relaxing and productive, I will definitely be doing it more often.
What do you think of this tips? What’s your favorite place to do school work and study?
♥ Steph

January Makeup Wishlist (Study Motivation)

Posted on by Steph

New semester means a new makeup wishlist to keep my self motivated! You can see last semesters list here.  I use this list as a motivation to do my best in my classes, if I am happy with my grades and progress, I will buy myself something from this list.  I don’t want to cheat, and so that’s why I posted it here on the blog, plus I tell my mom and best friend,  that way they don’t let me buy something if I haven’t earned it.

Here is my Makeup Wishlist:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Beam

I am obsessed with highlighters and these look so pretty, specially “Crushed Pearl” and “Mimosa”.  Can’t wait to have this palette in my hands and play with it.  Now with spring and summer around the corner, I am sure highlighters will still be one of my go to products.

MAC Viva Glam by Ariana Grande

How gorgeous are this MAC lipstick and lipgloss by Ariana Grande? If I had to choose just one I’ll choose the lisptick, it’s a pretty dark plum color, it would look perfect with a simple/ natural.  But the lipgloss is also so pretty, a light shimmery pink, I can see myself using it everyday for the office.


Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette

This palette has been in my makeup wishlist for quite sometime, I just think that having a variety of shades will work great in giving more dimension to the face.  I have heard great things about it, I am sure it will be worth it.


Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette

A girl can never have to many blushes, right? How pretty does this blush palette looks? I haven’t see it, but it has great reviews on the Sephora site. The color selection is great, no matter what look you are going for their is shade that could work for it.  I love palettes like this.
So there it is.  Now it’s time to rock this semester so that I have an excuse to buy myself some makeup.
Never stop dreaming, eve if its about makeup products!
♥ Steph