2014 Wrap Up!

2014 has been a productive year for me! I started this blog and I opened my etsy shop. It's also been a really fun year, I got to spend lots of time with friends and I even went to Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando and it was so so much fun.

I asked my followers on Twitter and Tumblr for "Top 5" questions to help me sum up the year and here's what I got.

Top 5 Lipsticks

• Kat Von D Studded Kiss in Poe
• Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
• MAC Film Noir
• MAC Cyber
• Lip Bar Purple Rain

Top 5 Movies

• Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• Big Hero Six
• Muppets Most Wanted
• Camp Takota
• Veronica Mars

Top 5 Nail Polishes

• OPI Bastille My Heart
• Essie As Gold As It Gets
• China Glaze For Audrey
• wHet Nail Polish in Facetious
• Revlon Nail Enamel in Fearless

Top 5 TV Shows

• Jane the Virgin
• The Flash
• Brooklyn Nine Nine
• Elementary
• Orphan Black

Top 5 Purchases

• THIS stuffed animal
• THIS dress
• THIS lipstick
• THIS hat
• THIS mug

Top 5 6 Events of 2014

• Disney/Universal/Wedding Trip
• Christmas! (it was so nice having my girlfriend here!)
• IMATS
• London Pride
• Halloween
• FanExpo Toronto

In 2015 I hope to do more with this blog, like more posts and especially more reviews. As far as personal goals go I want to work on figuring out what I want to do with my life. 

It's been a great year for me and I hope it has been for you too! Share your 2014 favourites and best moments in the comments!

What I Got For Christmas

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2: This was the first thing I found in my stocking. I know I'm really late on this bandwagon, but this is my first product from the Urban Decay Naked line. I don't have much of a matte shadow collection at this point and it's great to have neutrals especially with my current bold lip obsession. And it's going to be especially great for travelling.

Fierce Magenta Lipstick in Mystical Forest: This one was from my girlfriend. I've been looking for a nice dark green lipstick because it's my favourite colour and so she got me one! We've both heard great things about this brand and it swatches like a dream so I can't wait to try it.

Body Shop Makeup Brush Set: These were in my stocking. They're really going to come in handy because I'm at my parents' house and I forgot to bring any brushes! So I'm definitely going to use these if I end up with any New Years Eve plans.

Sephora Gift Card: I got this from my sister and immediately started spending it in my head. I'm going to try and be practical with this though and maybe not spend it all at once.

Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lip Care Stick: This was also in my stocking. It is so so hydrating! I'm really impressed. And it smells awesome.

MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth: This gift was from Lauren of Lipstick + Lacquer. When we went to IMATS I went looking for it but it sold out before we got there, so I suggested Lauren get it for me for Christmas. It's my first MAC lip liner, and also my first high end lip liner, and I can't wait to use it.

Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in Berlin and Studded Kiss in Lolita: These two came in a set, also from Lauren (She spoils me <3) I wore Berlin on Boxing Day and I love it! I haven't tried Lolita yet but I love the Studded Kiss Lipsticks and when I swatched it it looked really nice with my skin tone.

e.l.f Lip Exfoliator: Yet another gift from Lauren! I used this with Berlin when I wore it and I think it made a huge difference. The lipstick style applicator is great and it smells kind of like a MAC lipstick which I love.

Bath and Body Works Lotions in French Lavender and Honey, Sea Island Cotton and Japanese Cherry Blossom: These are from my friend Robyn. You can never have too much lotion, and the small Bath and Body Works bottles are super cute and portable. I especially love the Cherry Blossom because that's Robyn's favourite so the smell reminds me of her.

Wacom Intuos Tablet: This blog might be getting a little prettier! A while back I lost the pen to my old tablet, which was about ten years old anyway, so this Christmas my parents were nice enough to buy me a new one. It's taking a bit to get used to, but hopefully you'll be seeing some of the work from it soon.

Alex and Ani Bracelet: This was from my parents. I love boats so this bracelet is perfect. I've also been meaning to buy more bracelets, I think they're going to be my next jewelry phase, now that I seem to be getting over rings.

Lazy Beauty Tips Lipstick Challenge Roundup #3

I finished the challenge a while ago but I completely forgot to do a final round up post! I`m so pleased to be done and I found a few new favourites that I had previously disregarded.

top left: Maybelline SuperStay 24 in Keep Up the Flame 

top right: Nyx Lipstick in Baby Pink

middle left: Rimmel Lasting Finish in Alarm 

middle right: Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Palomino

bottom left: OCC Lip Tar in Black Dahlia 

bottom right: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink In The Afternoon

The "Me Time" Tag

Lauren tagged me to do this tag almost two weeks ago and I finally have some time so here we go!

THE QUESTIONS:

What do you watch or read during me-time?

I have an awful habit and it's marathoning tv shows. Currently I'm caught up on everything and looking for something new so let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations.

I also love curling up with a blanket and an old movie, especially anything with Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly.

And then there's always YouTube, I've been much better about keeping up with my subscriptions lately, which is good with all these Vlogmas videos and holiday gift guides that keep popping up every day.

As far as books go, I'm an English major, so books are less me time and more school time lately, but I'm going to try to read more for pleasure in the new year

What do you wear during me-time?

Pyjamas! I got some new flannel pjs from the mens section at Old Navy (for $9!) and honestly it was one of the greatest purchases of my life I love them. And then there is the beauty seen above: my Wonder Woman onesie, which is one of the best purchases of my whole life. 

What are your me-time beauty products?

I don't really have any go tos at this point, I keep trying samples but I haven't found anything that stands out in the pampering department. I'm still on the hunt though! I did however, just arrive at my parents' house, where I keep my I Love... Strawberries and Cream (which I just realized is turned to the French side in the picture, oh well) I keep it here so that I'll use it less often and it'll last longer. I got it from my girlfriend for Valentine's Day this year and I just love it a lot it smells so wonderful. 

Current favourite nail polish?

My new favourite is one I picked up at IMATS last month, OPI Bastille My Heart. It's a sort of burgundy with a subtle but of shimmer and I'm in love.

What do you eat/drink during me-time?

I've been getting more into tea lately and my favourite is vanilla rooibos. It just tastes warm and nice. And my snacks really vary but one of my favourites is apples with peanut butter.

Current favourite candle?

Holiday Apple Crisp from Bath and Body Works. Oh my god it's heaven.

Do you ever have outdoor me-time?

I like to go for walks around my neighbourhood sometimes, but actual nature is a bit intimidating for me, I'll leave that to the professionals.

Would you ever go see a movie alone?

I love going to the movies by myself! When I see movies with other people I tend to stress out about them enjoying themselves and it takes me out of the experience a bit. When I see movies by myself I can just relax and enjoy.

Favourite online shop?

I love Modcloth but sometimes it makes me sad because my student budget doesn't really allow for that kind of spending. On the more affordable end I love Forever 21. But I'm always searching for boat print items and that tends to take me all over the web.

Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time?

I like to get dressed up and do my makeup and take selfies. It's just really fun to feel fancy and cute.

I tag Stasia (stasialikescakes) (sorry I keep tagging you)

The Christmas Tag

I was tagged by Lauren to do the Christmas Tag! She also tagged me to do the me time tag a while back and that should be up soon too.

1. Do you like to stay in your PJ’s, or dress up for Christmas?

Christmas morning in the Willis household is a strictly pyjama occasion, but I like to get dressed up for dinner.

2. Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning, but one gift on Christmas Eve and it's always pyjamas.

3. What’s your favorite Christmas meal or treat?

We usually go for the whole turkey dinner thing and that's not really my favourite. I do however, love sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies. You'll probably be seeing some in the near future on this blog because decorating cookies is one of my favourite activities this time of year.

4. What’s your favorite holiday movie (or specials)?

As I write this me and my roommate are watching Holiday in Handcuffs which is an awful movie but it's a tradition in this house. My favourite Christmas movie is The Year Without A Santa Claus.

5. Have you ever made a snowman?

Yesss, lots. I really want to make one this year but we haven't gotten much good packing snow yet. Fingers crossed I'll be able to make one soon.

6. Show us an embarrassing Christmas Card photo!

My family doesn't do Christmas Cards, but I did take a family photo with my roommates so I'll show you that. It's not embarrassing though so :P

7. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?

Family dinner! This year is going to be my girlfriend's first year at my parents' house for Christmas and I'm just excited to do all the usual things with her there.

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Fake. I've never had a real tree before, I'm really hoping to have one at some point.

9. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

Giving! I used to love getting presents more than anything but now I love the look on someone's face when they open the perfect gift.

10. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

Disney World! Not on Christmas, because I really like to spend it with my family, but while they have all the Christmas decorations/events definitely.

11. Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?

My nanny's butter tarts! They're the thing that we make the most often of hers but that's still reserved for special occasions.

12. Most memorable Holiday moment?

We have this video from when my sisters were really little of my eldest sister opening a present and saying "It's what I always wanted... what is it?" and now we quote it every year.

13. What made you realize the truth about Santa?

Someone at school told me I think?

14. Favorite Christmas songs?

This year I decided I was going to pick my favourite Christmas song so I did an informal poll of my friends and family and eventually decided Let it Snow is my favourite. I have a of of other favourites though and I'm not gonna start listing or we'll be here forever.

15. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?

I try! This year my plan is to sort out what I want to do with my life, and also to try again to improve my French.

16. What makes the Holidays special for you?

Time with family and friends! We don't get to spend much time all together, because I live an hour + away from my family and a lot of my friends, so I'm excited to see everyone.

I tag Stasia! and anyone else reading this who wants to do it.