The Ultimate Girly Gift Guide: Pink & Pretty Things for Your Holiday Wishlist

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Friends, there is absolutely no denying that I am the walking definition of a girly girl. I pretty much always prefer to wear dresses, I have more makeup than I can use in a lifetime, and anything that's pink, polka dotted, or covered in flowers will basically steal my heart. It may be crazy to think that there was once a time in my life that I felt ashamed to be ultra feminine, but some people (some guys, especially) like to associate being a girly girl with being weak, overly dramatic, or vain.

The truth is, I am anything but weak, nor does my liking to wear makeup make me self centered or insecure. I'm proud of my femininity, of my love of all things pretty, and I will never let anyone make me feel ashamed or lesser than because of it. And with that being said, I am incredibly excited to share with you my Ultimate Girly Gift Guide for the holiday season. I've compiled a list of some of my most favorite accessories, beauty products, and home decor to inspire your holiday gifting, or even to add to your own wish list!

My Latest Wardrobe Staple: The JORD Cassia Watch

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If you read my blog with any regularity, you're probably well aware that I'm a full-on nerd for all things beauty. I love reviewing makeup and skincare, and never tire of sharing my tips and product recommendations with you. At the same time, I've been itching to branch out and incorporate more fashion and lifestyle content here and on my YouTube channel. Anyone that knows me offline will vouch for the fact that I'm more than mildly enthusiastic about the things in my closet, so why wouldn't I want to bring some of that passion to this space?

And of course, with the universe and it's perfect timing, not more than a few days after I decide I'm going to start on this new adventure does JORD approach me about collaborating for the holiday season. JORD is known for their beautiful, handcrafted wooden watches, and they graciously offered to gift me the timepiece of my choice in exchange for an honest review.  I'm not going to lie, I don't think I had ever seen or heard of a wooden watch prior to this, but as soon as I started perusing their website I knew I was all in. JORD's watches are (no pun intended) incredibly timeless, with sleek, sophisticated designs for men and women. And let's be serious, there's something insanely cool about a wooden watch. It's unexpected, unique, and perfectly channels that casual-enough-to-wear-everyday-but-stylish-enough-to-dress-up kind of vibe.

With my not-so-subtle love for all things rose gold, choosing the Cassia Walnut & Vintage Rose Watch was pretty much a no-brainer. However, there are honestly a number of other gorgeous options I could have been equally happy with. So let's take a closer look at my lovely new watch, and chat a little bit more about what my experience with it has been!

Wet N' Wild Pro Brush Collection for Holiday 2017

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Friends, I have absolutely no reason to add more makeup brushes to my collection. And yet, this new set from Wet N' Wild for the holidays was so darn pretty and such a ridiculous value, I couldn't resist picking it up to review for you. The new Wet N' Wild Pro Brush Collection contains 10 beautiful, cruelty-free brushes for only $30, and contains just about everything you need to create a complete makeup look. Having used them now for a couple of weeks I'm finally ready to report back and let you know what I think! So let's jump into things and I'll show you exactly what's in this set.

Jouer Skinny Dip Ultra Foil Shimmer Shadow Palette Review

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If there is one makeup trend that I can't seem to get enough of lately, it's an intense, shimmery eye. Yes, I've always been one of those girls that oohs and ahhs over anything shiny, so it's entirely unsurprising that I'd fall in love with putting sparkles all over my eyelids. But for a while there I had avoided the trend all together. Having grown up in the 90s, I made some pretty strong associations between glitter and looking cheap or tacky (if you ever purchased Claire's makeup as a tween, you might understand what I'm talking about). For years that meant avoiding makeup with anything other than a slight shimmer or sheen.

But then cosmetics companies started doing something wonderful. They began to create stunning, glittery makeup that still managed to look sophisticated. Where glitter was once chunky and unappealing, it has now become micro-fine, brilliant, and elegant. And one absolutely perfect example of this transformation is the Jouer Skinny Dip Ultra Foil Shimmer Shadow Palette. These eyeshadows are an absolute dream to work with, and leave your lids with the most gorgeous, glittery, foiled effect. So if you too are a glitter lover at heart, but have been unsure of whether or not you've outgrown the days of wearing it, perhaps this palette will be a game changer for you as well.