Top 5 Tuesday: Summer Beauty Essentials

Hey y'all,

I am once again linking up with Rachel for Top 5 Tuesday! This week's theme is your Top 5 Summer Beauty Essentials. I am a pretty laid back person about beauty during the summer. I mainly want to protect my skin and then hydrate my frizzy hair. I mean humidity is not fun and with curly hair I just try to make it presentable and do not even attempt to place a flat iron near it.

Let's get started:

top 5 tuesday by postgradprep featuring a leave in conditioner

1. SUNSCREEN! I am of the fair skin variety thanks to my Irish heritage but I also have had members of my family have to have surgery due to skin cancer so I take protection of the body's largest organ seriously. I love a good spray on sunscreen, I tend to go towards SPF 50 and higher. I know that anything above 50 tends to be the same but it helps if I forget to reapply every 2 hours to have that extra bit of protection. Do not forget to rub in the sunscreen and let it sit for a minute before exposure. I also would invest in a nice facial sunscreen if your moisturizer does not already have some sun protection. I love Neutrogena's line of sunscreens for my face since I know it won't irritate or clog my pores.

2. Lip Balm. I tend to go with minimalist make-up during the summer but we all know that lip balm is essential year round. The eos lip balms are perfect for summer since they come in the best flavors and are the perfect summer colors. Do you have a favorite lip balm?

3. Hair Masque. I typically do a deep conditioning treatment monthly during the year but during the summer with the heat and humidity I tend to up it to twice a month or even weekly depending on how fried and dry my hair is. The Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque treatment smells amazing and really treats my hair. I also love the 3 Minute Miracle Collection from Aussie. If you are swimming a lot during the summer, I would invest in a good masque to combat all the chemicals you are exposing your hair to.

4. Moisturizer. I always use the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel from Clinique during the summer. It is so light weight that it does not add to oily skin and a little goes a long way. You always want to have hydrated skin!

5. Leave in Conditioner. I love the It's a 10 Miracle leave in conditioner. I love to use leave-in conditioner throughout the summer to tame my hair as well as protect it. I always have a bottle in my beach and pool bag. For a less pricey option check out the Aussie Hair Insurance.

What are your essentials?

Top 5 Tuesday {Top Netflix Binge TV Shows}

Hey y'all,

I am so excited for this week's Top 5 Tuesday theme. I remember my very first binge TV watching experience was Grey's Anatomy back in December of 2007. I had just gotten into watching Grey's and so I binged on seasons 1 and 2 over two days during winter break with a friends DVDs. Thanks to Netflix and Hulu I have lots of opportunities to binge on TV shows especially during the winter when no one wants to go outside.

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House of Cards. I started this show after a lot of friends recommended it to me based on my love of Scandal. I think that Kevin Spacey does a phenomenal job playing Frank Underwood but the show does wonder about Congress and I think I would lose some faith in our government if any of it was actually real. I am not big into politics if you are worried about that aspect don't be, most of the show is trying to figure out how all the chess pieces are in play and moving. Season 2 has had so many crazy moments and I am trying to make it last so I still have about 3 episodes since it came out on Valentine's Day.

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Greek. ABC Family produced this gem during my high school and early college days. I loved Casey and Cappie together and it was a nice show although not representative of greek life completely. I mean, Casey taking Rebecca as her little out of spite is not very sisterly. I mean I love my littles! It is a fun show to watch especially during the summer.

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Gilmore Girls. I might have the entire series of Gilmore Girls on DVD and have watched them all in order a few times. I mean, who didn't love Lorelei and Rory. I also back in High School loved that ABC Family would re-run the episodes whenever I came home from school. I must say though, the last season is not my favorite and I will always be a Jess fan over Logan.

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Say Yes to the Dress. I think we all need to watch some fluff every now and then and I love watching all of the SYTTD shows whether Kleinfeld's or Bridals by Lori this is the perfect show to put on and clean your room to or spend a Friday night eating ice cream with your friends and discussing your perfect dream wedding even if you have no Mr. in sight.

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The Tudors. I have always loved English History and when HBO started the Tudors I knew I had to watch it. I loved the show and yes it can have its graphic moments but I love all the costuming and getting out of our modern world for an hour or two. I think this is also why I love Reign on the CW even though it is not the most accurate of shows.

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Lost Girl. #6 but I stumbled upon this show over Christmas and became obsessed. I watched all three seasons on Netflix pretty quickly. The fourth season is currently airing in Canada and on Syfy so I am trying to wait patiently but that really means I have been buying episodes on iTunes. The show is about a succubus named Beau and her journey of finding her self and navigating the fey world. There are a lot of paranormal creatures which is interesting but like the Tudors there are some more graphic bits and she is a succubi so just to warn you.


Other shows I love: Gossip Girl, Better Off Ted, Switched at Birth, Sherlock and Scrubs. 

What shows do you recommend?

{Top 5 Tuesday} Top 5 iPhone Apps

Hey y'all,

I'm linking up with the lovely Rachel of just peachy for Top 5 Tuesday. This week's topic is iPhone Apps. I have only had my iPhone since the end of September so all iPhone app suggestions are welcome! Here is my Top 5, they are kind of boring but I was raised by parents that instilled in me that a phone is a phone not our entire lives. Let's get started:

My iPhone

1. Instagram. Kind of obvious but I love Instagram, it is just a great way to share photos and experiences with all of your friends. I also use PicStitch to make some collages for Instagram. I now check Instagram I think more than I check Facebook.

2. Spotify. This is the best app for going to the gym. I typically elliptical while watching one of the shows on the big screens but if I am going for a run I grab one of the treadmills upstairs and plug into my phone. I have a really long 5K playlist that I continually add to and would love your playlist or favorite song to run to.

3. Goodreads. The website Goodreads is great but the app is better! Do you ever wander around Barnes and Noble and find a book you want to read, you can scan the book and add it to your to-read list. If you are a bookworm like me I think you should check out the app.

4. WhatsApp. I am currently using WhatsApp while my best guy friend travels the world. This app helps you send texts to friends with smartphones using your 3G or Wifi so for those in other countries they are not having crazy fees and charges. I don't know, I mean I am only using it for communication with him while he is traveling. 

5. Facebook. Another obvious choice but I mean, we all love some social media and having the app on my phone helps me to stay connected when I am taking a break from the world. 

*Honorable Mention: Bible App. I love that I can have the bible at my fingertips. I do not look that often on this app but I use YouVersion on my computer a lot when I do a devotion in the morning. I just tend to be near a computer or my actual bible when working on a devotion.

What are your favorite apps? 

Link up with Rachel

Top 5 Tuesday: Olympic Sports to Watch

Hey y'all,

Rachel of just peachy used to host a weekly Top 5 Tuesday link-up and since the Olympics start this week I thought I would borrow her idea and make a list of my top 5 favorite sports to watch during the winter Olympics!

5. Alpine Skiing. My Dad actually skied a lot when he was younger and so I learned cross country and downhill skiing at a young age. I always love watching the ski slalom events. Freestyle Skiing is also always interesting to watch!

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4. I think bobsled and skeleton are tied and since they share a track, they can share this spot. I love to see the various helmets on the skeleton athletes and bobsled is always so cool to watch. I mean, I probably would need a lot of convincing to get in a small sled and go that fast down a track!

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3. Ski Jumping. I mean, I am not going to go crazy and jump off a hill with skis but it is really cool to watch in the comfort of your own home. Yes, I do know that the European countries tend to dominate but I can still cheer on Team USA.

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2. Speed Skating. So this is a recent love I think after watching Apolo Ohno over the last few years but I have enjoyed watching the hype of speed skating. Watching the trials this year was very interesting with a lot of falls causing some major upsets in the team roster.

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1. My all-time favorite sport to watch during the winter Olympics will always be figure skating. I love to watch figure skating year round with the Grand Prix events but the Olympics are a whole other level. I have even begun to love ice-dancing and this year's team medal will make the games very interesting. 

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Honorable Mentions: curling (who doesn't watch that sport and think, hmm I need to clean my floors?) and Shaun White with his new hair competing in Snowboarding events!

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I watch almost all of the Winter Olympic sports, pretty much anything but hockey! What is your favorite sport to watch?

To view the whole schedule of the Olympics from your time or from Sochi's time click here.

Top 5 Tuesday: Candles

Hey y'all,

One of my favorite bloggers is back! Rachel of Just Peachy is restarting her Top 5 Tuesday series and since she now has a new place the topic is CANDLES! While my mother hates candles I for one am all for it. My favorites tend to always be Slatkin & Co. by Bath and Body Works so I thought I would just do my Top 5 favorite scents. Luckily, all but one are still available for sale since the last time I had a big candle haul was in the summer!

top 5 tuesday candles by janeaustenprepster on Polyvore

So I am not the greatest at describing scents so I thought that Bath and Body Works did a great job on their site so here is what they say:
1/ "Salty and Sweet! Mandarin, juicy mango and ripe plum capture the aroma of this classic poolside cocktail with a freshly salted rim."
2/  "Dive into this blend of tropical melon, raspberry nectar and lemon mellowed by creamy coconut milk and raw sugarcane for a fragrant and exotic escape."

3/ "Indulge your sweet tooth! Notes of fresh vanilla bean, sugar, cake batter and rich buttercream frosting combine to create a sweet fragrant treat as mouth-watering as the real thing." *This is the best candle for when you first move into a place and want the smell of fresh buttercream frosting!
4/ "Cheers! Enjoy this pretty and intoxicating mix of zesty mandarin, crisp apple, watery pear and sugared berries."
5/"A mysterious blend of cranberry, rich blackcurrant and raspberry delicately layered with notes of cinnamon bark, cedarwood and warm amber." *The Wallflowers are still available but this scent was my go to during the fall and winter months since it is such a cozy scent.

Link up with Rachel to show off your favorite candles/scents.

And I was going to wait until WILW but y'all should hurry to Kate Spade's Surprise Sale!The Pride & Prejudice Book Clutch which I have been lusting over since it appeared on the site (I mean English major who loves Jane, it was meant for me) but $328 was out of my budget but $99 will do!

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Top 5 Tuesday

Hey y'all,

I am so excited to be linking up with Rachel again. Her blog is absolutely one of my favorites and I love the link up of Top 5 Tuesday. Filled with great themes it is always so difficult to narrow down my choices. You can see in the eye-candy one there were lots of honorable mentions on my list. But furthermore, this week was focused on our most worn items. I would have to say that currently my most worn items would be my work wardrobe for my retail job but apart from wearing that about 30 hours a week here are the items I have been wearing constantly this summer.

Top 5 Tuesday by janeaustenprepster featuring camisole tops

Typical Summer Outfit
Featuring: Hanes White V-neck, Aeropostale Grey Cami, Chinos from Target

1. V-necks. I love a great v-neck t-shirt to wear with anything from skirts to shorts to jeans. It's the perfect basic and easy to dress up with a pashmina or fun colorful skirt. I tend to get mine in a pack in the men's department by Hanes or grab more fitted ones from Old Navy and Forever 21.

2. Nike Tempo Shorts (Norts). No surprise, these are the most comfortable shorts to workout in, run errands, or just hang around the house. I also love Champion's running shorts as another option. I have a lot of options from prints to solid colors.

3. Camis. I wear camis under everything. I don't know about you but I love a more modest look so I put camis under most of my shirts to add length on the bottom as well as if I have a deep v-neck shirt on it is great to feel comfortable.

4. Chino Shorts. If I have to be a little more dressed up but still casual and comfy I grab a pair of chinos. My favorites are from J.Crew, Gap, and Target.

5. Sandals. I alternate between my platinum Jack Rogers and my Rainbow Flip Flops. I can say that I am usually wearing sandals though since North Carolina weather allows one to have nice weather for most of the year. 

Honorable Mentions: Flowy Skirts and Tops. During the Summer there is just something great about airflow in your pieces of clothing, flowy and Simple is really my moto for clothing in the summer.

The Webster Miami for Target Top

xhilaration for Target Skirt

What are your most worn items? Link up with Rachel!

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

Top 5 Tuesday: Celebrity Crushes aka Hottie Edition

Hey y'all,

I am so excited that Rachel brought back Top 5 Tuesday that I am delaying the post I scheduled for today to share with you some very hot men known as my Celebrity Crushes. I hope that you link up and share who you are crushing on since I think it is so fun to see everyone's answers.

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

Ryan Gosling

I had to throw in the shirtless photo from Crazy, Stupid, Love

Ryan Reynolds

Funny, Charming, Adorable...

and look at those abs.

Hugh Grant

I know that he is now old but I love Hugh Grant.
Since I'm not a George Clooney fan Hugh is my older guy crush.

Christopher Pine

Oh, Hello.

Alexander Skarsgard

Who Doesn't Love Eric the Vampire

Honorable Mentions(since 5 wasn't enough):

Ed Westwick

Gerard Butler

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Alex Pettyfer

Henry Cavill (The Tudors anyone....)

Paul Wesley

Ian Somerhalder

Matthew Lewis

There are so many more but I guess I will just leave y'all there.

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Top 5 Tuesday: Guilty Pleasures

Hey y'all,

Today I am linking up with Rachel from Just Peachy. I love her blog and her weekly link ups are a great way for y'all to learn a bit more about me since she always picks some great topics. This week's Top 5 theme is Guilty Pleasures, so without further adieu here is my Top 5 Tuesday:

1. Romance Novels
Who doesn't love a good trashy novel to quickly read over the summer when lounging by the pool or tossing in your beach bag?
2. Cheerwine/Dr. Pepper/Cherry Pepsi
This is the only way I get caffeine in my life and after giving up caffeine for Lent I am back to drinking soda. My goal this summer though is to be off soda again. Yay for getting healthy!
3. TV
Y'all, I am such a TV addict. The amount of shows in my hulu queue right now is embarrassing but I just love to relax and watch tv especially Food Network or HGTV in the afternoon.
4. Macaroni and Cheese
Seriously y'all, I could possibly live off of mac-n-cheese. As I am writing this I am currently waiting on my pasta to cook. It's a problem. But I love it.
5. Ice Cream/FroYo.
Especially in the summer, ice cream is just the best thing in the world. I will miss Chapel Hill a lot because there are literally four ice cream places on Franklin Street alone.

What are your guilty pleasures?  Link up here with Rachel.

Sorry for the quick post, I have been running around all day and now I am off to the UNC/UNCW baseball game! Have a great night!

Best Wishes, jDl