the big 2-3

Happy (belated) birthday to me!

Yesterday was my 23rd birthday and it was probably the most simple birth that I had. I spent the day with Albert and we were able to go shopping! We usually don't take our time when it comes to shopping but since it was my birthday, why not! So thought I would share with you the day's events and see the way I celebrated my first day into my "Jordan" years...

                         

1. started off my birthday with an awesome "e-card" all the way from Bahamas =)

2. lunch at an awesome place called Stoney's Bread Company

3. just waiting for our food. If you're in the Oakville area, this place is a must try!

4. Pesto Pollo and Americana pizza...get in my belly!

5. I'm a cheese lover and so when I saw just how ooy-gooy their cheese was I was in heaven

6. half and half, that's just how couple share their food

7. a sneaky purchase may have been made at the Kate Spade outlet by the bf as my present..hmmm not too bad!

8. Yourty's with this little one

9. oh that innocent smile before all the sugar kicked in

my go-to nail polishes: nice & natural

The next group of colours in my nail polish series are colours that I think every girl should have in their collection and those are the nudes.

There are various instances in which dark, bold colours are not allowed (ex: work, school, meetings) but if you're like me and you're obsessed with the idea of always having your nails painted then check out my favourite nudes...

1. Gold Silk by Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro

This nail polish is great if you're looking for a colour that is very subtle. If you're someone that's playing around with nail polishes and want to ease into it, this is a good start for you. It goes on extremly sheer (which was a little annoying at first) but is definitely build-able in order to reach the opacity you see through the bottle. Lasting power of this nail polish is great and despite having to pile on the layers, it dries very quickly between coats. 

2. Shell Pink by Pure Ice

Right off the bat this colour is a great dupe for ballet slippers by essie (which I love). But what's better about this brand is it's literally 1/8 of the price. I had purchased this at Target for no more than $2.00 and it was one of those "start the car" moments. It's the perfect pale/baby pink colour that makes hands just look so polished. The lasting power of this about 5-7 days before there are any serious chipping and I had to put on three layers in order to get the colour where I wanted it to be. But did I mention that this was less than $2.00? #cheapAF =)

3. Pied-a-terre by CoCo C& LuLu

This is colour is just...amazing. It's the perfect grey colour without being too dark or too light. I personally love grey but when it's translated into nail polishes there seems to be a tendency for them to make my hands look dead or super cold. The lasting power of any CoCo & LuLu polish is awesome, with it's lifespan reaching 5 days without a top coat. To get the opacity seen in the bottle, it took me about three coats and drying time wasn't too long. 

4. Teas and Crumpet by L'Oreal 

I LOVE THIS NUDE. Need I say more? No seriously, this is my favourite nude colour. This will literally make it seem like you're wearing nothing on your nails. For those who are a different skin tone compared to me, it will alter the colour of this nude. But for me, it blends into my skin so well that it elongates my hands and again, it makes my hands look so polished. I would say that this is a great drug store dupe for Sand Tropez by Essie and just like my previous dupe find, it's considerably cheaper. Lasting power of this polish is amazing considering I never wear top coat and opacity of this is great, only needing two coats. 

I truly believe that nude shades are something that all girls should have in their collection. There's just those days that you want to go really simple with your nails and neutrals are the ways to go.

But for those days where you want all the attention to be on your nails, my third and final installment within this series will look at those fun and flirty colours that are perfect for nights out or a day on the beach. So stay tuned to see what colour I recommend! 

everyday make-up routine

Ever since I was in middle school I have used make-up. I know that seems too young but in my defense have been suffering with bad skin since then! I had older sisters and friends that were into make-up then and I discovered that make-up was a good way of concealing what mother nature was doing to me. Now that I'm a little older I have been able to control my acne-prone skin to a certain extent. But despite taming my skin, I still don't feel 100% when I don't have a face of make-up on. 

If you're someone like me and need that medium to full coverage, these products will help a ton. Most, if not all, products are easy to get a hold of and are affordable. 

1. Victoria Secret ultimate look shadow trio || most wanted 

2. Victoria Secret chic cheeks cream blush || je t'amie

3. Joe Fresh brow powder || brown

4. Elizabeth Arden pure finish mineral powder foundation SPF 20 || 02

5. Rimmel Scandaleyes show off mascara ||003 extreme black 

6. Joe Fresh eye shadow || bisque

7. Rimmel lasting finish 25 hour foundation || 201 classic beige

8. E.O.S lip balm

9. Mac cream sheen || cream in your coffee

10. Rimmel match perfection 2-in-1 concealer and highlighter || 230 fair/light

11. Rimmel exaggerate waterproof eye definer || 261 black 

12. NYC smooth skin bronzing face powder || 720A sunny 

brushes:

1. Elf cosmetics || studio powder brush

2. Elf cosmetics || essential concealer brush 

3. Sonia Kashuk || 100 powder brush 

I have repurchased my Rimmel foundation at least 3 times and I have all the empty containers to prove it. It gives amazing coverage and it will literally last through the hottest summer day. I'm not the type to fuss with my make-up through out the day so I like to do my make-up once in the morning and forget about it. The same idea goes with my eyeliner and  I have vowed that the exaggerate waterproof eyeliner is the only one I will use for the rest of my life...Okay probably not but I've repurchased this product various times just because it works so well for me. 

When it comes to the eyes, I keep it very simple. Smokey eyes don't have to be difficult and could be easily created with just your fingers! This trio set is perfect because it gives you everything you need to create that look.

Blush and bronzer are what gives your face life so don't forget about them! Just by adding a swipe of each to your face it will give you more dimension. This Victoria Secret blush gives me the right amount of colour without making me look like a clown. NYC's sunny bronzer is perfect for me because it keeps my face from looking "muddy" and the fact that it's matte helps with my already shinny/oily face.

Wearing make-up doesn't have to be intimidating. It took me literally years to find the products that are right for me and who knows? Maybe there are even better products out there for my skin type and needs but it's a matter of trial and error. 

I hope this helped you a little if you have similar skin needs as me and don't be afraid to share your thoughts or ask questions through the comments. Also, I would love to see your everyday make-up so tag me on instagram @twelvemonthsofmay or use the hashtag #twelvemonthsofmay to share! 

what's in my purse?

I'm alive!

So it's been about two weeks since school has ended and I wrote my last exam. I have taken summer vacation very seriously and did absolutely nothing other than lay in bed and watch endless amounts of YouTube videos. Oh and occasionally go to work! =)

But now I'm ready to jump into things again before I go back to school in September (yes, I'm going back!). So with that in mind I decided to go to the easiest post I know, what's in my purse!

I've always been a nosy person when it comes to what women carry in their purse. Don't ask my why but I feel like you can learn a lot about a girl by what she carries in her purse. So without further adieu, let's have a look-see...

The purse in question is from Aldo Accessories but I had purchased this ages ago. I remember walking into Aldo the day I got it and was determined to get a purse that made me feel like a grown up. Mind you I was probably 19 or 20 years old so that was 3-4 years ago. I don't know why I thought this specific style helped me accomplished that goal but I got it anyway. What I like about it the most is that the handles are long enough that I can actually put it over my shoulder without the body of the bag annoying my arm pit. There used to be a divider inside the bag but I found that completely useless so I took my scissors and just cut it right out. Now it's just a wide open space, I'm a genius right?

Surprisingly this all fits inside but not gonna lie, it gets pretty heavy. But what would a purse be if you didn't carry your entire life in it right?

1. brita water bottle 

2. sharpie pen

3. Attachment by Rainbow Rowell

4. moleskine agenda 

5. sunglasses from Arden & sunglasses case from Tommy Hilfiger

6. biore make-up removing wipes 

7. iPhone 5 headphones that I stole from my boyfriend =)

8. keys

  

& of course I saved the best part for last and that's what's in my travel make-up bag. I'm not someone that will touch up their whole face thought out the day but there are a few things that I like to carry with me on the go. 

1. mac's cream in your coffee

2. E.O.S. lip balm 

3. Eva Longoria mini perfume 

4. nivea hand creme 

5. excel mints 

6. compact mirror

7. rimmel's scandal eyes mascara (which is horrible BTW, don't get it)

So that's all I carry around in my purse! Feel free to leave a comment of some of your essentials so I can get some ideas if I'm missing anything. Also I would really love to see what you carry so go ahead and post a picture on instagram and tag me @twelvemothsofmay so I can have a look-see too!