can you believe it's 2015?!

Happy New Year!

we are wishing you a year of happiness, success and lots of love.

 we have a feeling 2015 is going to be your best year yet!

love you all!

e&elle

2015...

2015…please be awesome.

I make resolutions every year. I’m sure most people do…and then forget about them a few weeks later.

Trust me…

It’s normal.

I always keep my resolutions in my Notes on my phone.

That way,

I always remember what I’m working on…and have zero excuses not to try and keep my resolutions.

ALSO, it’s important to keep your resolutions realistic.

My resolutions last year:

2014

Take up some sort of fitness class & take time to plan my meals. (Less eating out)

This was BIG for me. I knew that it was time to make a change in my life. I did a little guest post on my cute friend Hannah’s blog about my weight loss journey. I used the Kayla Itsines program and a healthy diet to complete my resolution.

Travel

We went to Hawaii and Yellowstone this year. Both trips were wonderful!

Take time to blog.

Obviously I took this resolution to the next level by starting E&Elle with my bestie Elise! I previously had my own personal blog that was used to document day-to-day life. So, with starting this new adventure, I’ve been able to dedicate time to blogging and make it a priority in my life. I love it!

Discover new music.

Music is one of my biggest hobbies. If you know me well, you know that I know almost every word to every song.

I love music!

So discovering new music every year & not getting stuck in a music rut is a big deal to me. My favorite songs this year?

1. Nick Jonas- "Jealous."  2. Schoolboy Q- "Studio."  3. B.O.B- "Not For Long."  4. Tove Lo- "Talking Body."  5. Glass Animals- "Gooey."  6. Azekel- "New Romance."  7. Made In Heights- "Wildflowers."  8. Raleigh Ritchie- "Bloodsport."  9. The Weeknd- "Often."

Try new recipes.

Here are a few new recipes I tried this year.

2015...

I've got my resolutions ready.

1. Take the time to photograph & document life.

2. Keep up my personal blog. (1 & 2 go hand-in-hand)

3. Lean a new skill. Knitting? Crochet? Woodworking? Videography? The sky is the limit!

4. Read a little more. Like....books....not magazine or online articles....real books.

5. Get some muscles. Now that i've taken the first step in a healthier me, i'm ready to take it to the next level!

What are some of your resolutions?

XO-Elle

glitz and glitter

 New Year's Eve...

the only time of year it's socially acceptable to wear a glittery mini dress,

glittery heels,

glittery nails,

and of course...

glittery makeup!

 and guess what?

getting your eyes to sparkle is e a s y!

all you need is some glitter.

some water.

and an eyeshadow makeup brush.

here's how to do it.

1. start by applying an eyeshadow primer to your lids.

2. dip your eyeshadow brush into a small amount of water and then into your glitter.

3. tap your brush unto your eyelid. 

[the glitter will stick directly onto your skin.]

4. continue doing this until your entire lid is completely covered in glitter.

 a lot of glitter will fall onto your cheeks,

so make sure you remove the excess glitter BEFORE applying your facial makeup.

top off this look off with lots of black mascara,

pink cheeks,

and a neutral colored lip.

 try this look with any color glitter!

purple,

pink,

blue,

black!

remember...

it's New Year's.

anything goes!

happy almost 2015!

k byeee

e

get ready to party in ten minutes or less....

I don't know about you...

but I am all about getting ready as quick as possible.

For me..

This also includes holiday events and parties.

I know...

I know...

So shameful.

BUT

 I like to keep it simple...

basic makeup.

basic hairstyles

BUT

still have a little somethin-somethin going on.

I am not the type of girl to spend 45 minutes blowing out my hair and getting perfect bouncy curls.

I also want to do my makeup as fast as possible, but look like I spent forever on it.

If you are like me, here are a couple ideas to help make you shine at your New Years party without having to spend the hours of prep time.

Look 1: Au-Natural

This look is simple.

Kinda like...

"Yeah, I knew there was a party tonight...but I look good everyday..so I don't have to try too hard."

At least, that is what I tell myself ;)

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Add some loose waves to the ends of your hair using a flat iron.

*be sure to keep the tips of your hair nice and straight to keep the effortless messy look.

2. Add a simple cat eye and a few swipes of black mascara

3. Dust your eyelids with a little mauvey-pink eyeshadow. 

*my favorite right now is this color.

4. Keep your lips on point by using E.L.F. Matte Lip Color in "Natural." 

*This color is a perfect dupe for NARS "Tonkin." 

Look 2: Pop-Out

Want to stand out...just a lil' bit?

This look is perfect.

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Use the same loose wave technique. It's a go-to look for me. Tie up one side of your hair using some bobby pins. Add one big twist, or mix it up with a few faux corn rows.

2. Add a little more color to your face by using a bright pink blush.

*since you most likely won't use a hot pink blush daily, try this one. It's cheap & does the trick.

3. Make your lips electric by using a lipstick from Maybelline's Color Sensation Vivid Collection.

*I love all of the colors, but my favorite is Fuchsia Flash :)

Look 3: Twisted

For some reason, I just feel fancy with my locks swooped on the top of my head. 

To make this look a little more edgy and a little less fancy, I used a dark dark lip.

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Twist your hair up with a headband. 

*I basically take the headband and place it on my head like a crown and shove the hair into the headband. Super easy.

2. Keep your eyes simple.

*I used this peach shadow to keep them looking natural.

3. Rock a dark lip.

*I used Revlon "Black Cherry." It looks a little dark in the tube, but it has a wonderful red undertone that makes your lips pop.

Look 4: Mad Hatter

When in doubt?

Throw on a hat.

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Keep it cool with some tousled messy hair. Add a few additional waves around your face for shape and body.

2. Rock your favorite lipstick.

*mine right now is "Pink Pout" by Revlon. 

3. Throw on your favorite hat!

*This H&M hat is a go-to for me. Unfortunately it is sold out, but here is a similar one!

What are your favorite holiday looks?!

xo-Elle 

oh so fancy

being the hostess with the mostess on new years eve is both fabulous and frightening.

decking your house to the nines is great...

until everyone leaves-

and you're left to clean up streamers,

party hats,

red solo cups,

and silverware.

well this year-

be oh so fancy.

 without the headache of rinsing, loading, unloading, and putting away your silverware.

try this//

this project is so simple.

here's all you'll need...

and this is all you need to do...

 

1.tape off your silverware where you don't want the paint to be.

2. spray paint.

3. let dry

4. remove tape when dry

wowza.

that was easy.

 

 i guarantee you're guests are going to die over these bad boys.

how could they not?!

k byeee

e

merry christmas to all....

...and to all a good night! Have a magical Christmas!

xo- E&Elle

merry christmas eve

we spy with our little eye...

C H R I S T M A S!

 we hope you have the loveliest Christmas Eve

and are surrounded by all the loves of your life.

be safe!

xoxo

e&elle