Gift Guide for Her

December is here and it's time to shop!  From cozy winter favorites to last minute stocking stuffers, you'll find something on my gift guide for someone on your nice list. I picked out some of my personal favorite apparel, accessories and products I love and wanted to share with you! The Countdown is officially on, we have 22 days until our favorite holiday!

GF Denim Sherpa Jacket 

Rolling Stones BF tee

Leather Biker Jacket

 Full Tilt Boyfriend Flannel

Puffer Vest

 Black Suede mid calf Booties

Steve Madden slip ons

Adidas Ultraboost knit Sneakers

Neff Daily Black Beanie

Custom name or Favorite place/Hometown necklace

Tory Burch logo Stud earrings

Tory Burch Reversible belt

Kate Spade Crossbody

Tote bag Organizer 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit

Kensie Perfume

Don't think I forgot about my gift guide for him. I will be posting a gift guide for him next, stay tuned!

You're a Sweetheart

Rolling Stones

Chanel Everything

I like it

Basic.

DIY Adult Gift Baskets for $25 & under

Spring is here, and some of us are going to celebrate Easter with our families next week! We all have done the Easter egg hunts in the backyard or around the house, maybe brunch with your family, or just opening up those Easter baskets like every other year. Well, just because your older doesn't mean we can't create fun and personalized baskets for our friends, family or significant other! These baskets can be inexpensive, fun, and easy, forget all the chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs, lets give them what they'll really want.


Beer Drinker- Some grocery stores will let you pick whichever beers you'd like to create your own unique 6 pack or just grab their favorite beer! Add frosted beer mugs, salty snacks or  a bottle opener to finish up this basket.

Wine Lover- Grab a bottle of  their favorite wine or grab a few miniature bottles for a small wine tasting! Add two wine glasses, and a wine opener, and your good to go! Who can say no to wine?!

Coffee Obsessed- Grab a bag of their favorite coffee (dunkin donuts, Starbucks, etc), add a coffee mug, flavored creamer and maybe some sugar cubes! Coffee lovers will be happy with this energy filled basket.

Hair Stylist- Who wouldn't want new hair accessories or products for an easter gift? Travel size shampoo, conditioner, hairspray or gel is perfect to throw in their purse. Even add some hair ties, headbands or a wet brush to finish it up. You can even add dry shampoo, hair perfume mist or a even a magazine! All of the above any hair enthusiast would obsess over!

Beauty Boss- For all the make up lovers, grab some travel size or popular beauty products to throw in their basket! Chapstick, blush, makeup primer, mascara, etc. Even include a face mask, makeup wipes or lashes to complete the basket to fill it up!

Sweets & Treats- Candy, cookies, or macaroons are great ideas for that sweet tooth who expects a basket full of treats for Easter! Don't just put chocolate bunnies or peeps in this basket, try mini muffins, or even gummy bears!

Car Fanatic- I'm sure you know  someone who is obsessed with their car, create a basket to help them keep their car fresh and clean! Car wipes, sponges, air fresheners and a gift card for a car wash will make any car fanatic smile. Instead of using a basket you can even use a mop bucket to store all their car cleaning goodies!

Money Honey- Who doesn't love getting cash?! Create a whole basket with plastic eggs filled with bills and dollar coins or instead of grass put dollar bills to cover the bottom of the basket. Add some lottery tickets and chocolate to this basket to top it off!

Beach Babe- Grab sandals, a colorful towel, sunglasses and sunscreen for your bronzed babe to enjoy on their next vacation or beach day! Use a pail or plastic tote instead of a basket to stick with the beach theme if desired!

Vacation Please

Next Vacay Spot

You know what time of year it is... IT'S TIME FOR SPRING BREAK! Anyone have vacation plans coming up? Anyone in desperate need of a vacation but not even sure where you want to go? WELL, I have been searching for the most relaxing, affordable and adventurous locations to call paradise! Trust me friends, everyone needs a short stress-free getaway or a week long relaxing vacation from our own realities. Whichever situation you are feeling, these are the best quality and most affordable destinations I found that anyone can plan with friends, solo, or with a significant other! Only question is, where to next?

1. Cancun or Playa Del Carmen Mexico- Four and Five star hotels starting at $99, tons of bucket list activities to choose from and don't forget there are all inclusive packages you can always choose from starting at $899 for 6 nights! (Your on vacation remember, don't forget that drink package, treat yourself!)

2. Bimini Bahamas- Flight fares as low as $100.. yes $100 from the East Coast to Florida, which then gets you 50 miles closer to these beautiful islands! The island is smaller, so hotel choices are limited, but the culture and beautiful views will make it all worth it! Not to mention, Bimini is also known for multiple fun water adventures and attractions, including swimming with pigs in paradise!

3.FIJI- Forget heading to Coachella, head to a different kind of paradise while still enjoying music with an even better view! Flight & five night stay at select resorts start at $1,299 for a private island music festival!

4. Honolulu- If you don't like long flights, avoid this piece of paradise because it takes a lot of travel,  but flights start at $45! The activities and tours offered are unlimited and affordable for couples or families! Shark dives starting at $75, Submarine scooter adventure starting at $100, and diamond head crater adventure starting at $40, if you are a thrill seeker, Hawaii maybe the vacation spot you have been dreaming of!

5. New York City- New York city can be expensive, but if you plan it smart and it's a weekend getaway, you can get your moneys worth! For vacation goers who want a more glamorous or sophisticated destination and aren't looking to lay at a beach, New York City has plenty to offer! Who wouldn't want to look at incredible views and see that perfect skyline without feeling like a tourist. Four and Five star luxury hotels with impeccable views starting at $175 a night, with flights also as low as $54! Who can say no to a weekend full of relaxation, shopping and luxury in the city that never sleeps.

6. Montreal Canada- Montreal Canada has a modern and dynamic vibe in its downtown areas of the city. Montreal also offers romantic atmospheres with affordable dining and authentic food choices for anyones taste buds. Night life is also upbeat and fun for any girls trip or couples getaway. You can enjoy a music festival, comedy show or even a few art galleries. Don't forget the fashion forward and extremely stylish boutiques being offered as well for your day time activity. Hotels starting at $75 a night and concerts or show tickets starting at $40!

7. San Antonio Texas- San Antonio has great culture, great food, and great history. You have plenty of Mexican or Tex Mex restaurants to choose from and can really dig into. The riverwalk is a must see with its cobblestone paths, beautiful bridges, and deep history. There are plenty of places to shop and have fun including a casino building in their downtown area. Surround riverwalk are tons of hotels to choose from starting at $120 a night. Flights are inexpensive as well, as low as $54 from select locations!

(Disclosure: Photos being used are found on google, travel sites or Pinterest. None of the photos are my own.)

Nik's Favorite Beauty Products

Hello my fellow beauty babes! I am no make up artist by any means, but I do love makeup and try to buy the best and most affordable products I can for myself. I know everyone wants a different look, has different skin types, or just wants a simple/minimal effort for their daily routine. All of these products I have used, loved, and recommend to anyone looking for a new make up brand or product if you haven't found one that you LOVE for yourself! Its taken me a while to find brands I like, that are long lasting throughout the day and that work with my skin type as well. I am happy to share these beauty finds with you! I am only sharing a few of my top favorites, if any of my fellow makeup enthusiasts have questions about my beauty trials or other products I didn't mention below, please comment or reach out to me, I'd love to share more makeup/product secrets!

$36.00

I have always used Smashbox as my makeup primer for the past few years. The original photo finish primer is the one I have started using most recently. Before this I was using the Smashbox super light and smooth primer. (white bottle/cream) The super light formula I felt didn't work with my skin, didn't give me the base I needed to keep my makeup lasting all day, and it was a bit oily for my skin. The original photo finish primer I now use is a thicker gel formula and gives me a better base before my daily makeup routine. This primer is still light weight, oil free, vegan, and cruelty free!

$34.00

I always have used liquid foundation but with bare minerals I found it to be light weight, the coverage never fails me, and it lasts all day. I use two different shades throughout the seasons but I am always able to find a shade that works perfect for my skin tone. BareMinerals barepro gives me complete coverage but doesn't make me feel like my makeup is caked onto my face. This formula has SPF 20, is oil free, and Dermatologist tested. If you have any skin issues or allergies and haven't tried bare minerals, I would completely recommend giving this product a try!

$31.00

I typically do not use just powder foundation but when I have a spray tan, sometimes I prefer to use a powder instead of liquid. I like having the option of powder or liquid and often use both daily. This powder doesn't dry out my skin or irritate my skin while wearing it all day. BareMinerals barepro powder foundation has multiple shades and is a 12-hour long wear foundation. This powder gives  full and smooth coverage, in addition to also being hypoallergenic/Dermatologist tested. 

$27.00

Daily I use three shades of this Tarte shape tape contour concealer. I use one color under my eye lids and two for contouring. I am not the best at contouring, but tarte shape tape contour concealer gives me multiple shades where I can use them for under eye coverage or full contouring. Ive tried using powder and cream contouring kits, and non have worked 100% for me. I never liked how they looked or blended with my skin type/shades. I use 35N medium shade, 44H tan, and 47S tan deep sand. This concealer gives full coverage, has a matte finish and super easy to blend! Not to mention all Tarte products are vegan, dermatologist tested and cruelty free, who doesn't love that?!

$40.00

Anastasia Beverly Hills collection is one of my favorite makeup brands. This is my second highlighting glow kit I have used and I am in LOVE! These kits last me FOREVER and have stunning shine. The Sun Dipped Glow Kit has four ultra fine formulas and they all have plenty of sparkle. My current favorite of the four options is Summer and its flawless!

$10.00

Ulta velvet blush has multiple rich colors and is my favorite blush I use. I own this deep purple and another peachy pink shade. They last throughout the day and have some sparkle to most shades. Ulta now has their blush collection called flushed blush or mineral blush. This majestic shade is currently out of stock and I believe is getting discontinued completely which is truly a bummer! I hope to find another Ulta blush shade I LOVE when the two shades I currently have run out! 

$20.00

I never obsess over my brows or have used liners for them. I never really have drawn them in, dyed them or done anything besides wax them until this past year or so. I have thicker dark brown brows so for me shading them in or giving them any extra attention didn't seem necessary. Even though my brows are thicker, most recently I have noticed smaller spots I wish were darker or looked more evenly full throughout my whole brow. The makeup forever brow gel is light weight, has minimal shades (easy to find your right color), and the brush gives you the perfect control to spread the formula evenly.  This brow gel strengthens your brow hairs and is a more natural look compared to other brow fillers. I use the intense brown shade for my brows.

$24.00

First off I loved the name of the mascara so I said what the hell, lets try it! I also liked the texture and hourglass shape of the brush. I am super picky on mascara brushes and want to ensure the brush can evenly separate my lashes when applying. I normally wear false lashes but when I don't, I apply two coats of this formula on. I love the length and volume it gives me, on top of that Too-Faced is cruelty and vegan free! If you'd like to give this a try, Ulta right now is offering a free gift with purchase! (Travel size of the Better than Sex mascara is currently $12.00 if you'd like to just test it before committing to a new mascara!)

$25.00

I alternate between Lancome and Too-Faced mascaras in my daily makeup routine. Both mascaras have big brushes and have creamy formulas. Lancome's Monsieur mascara gives my lashes thickness, length, and theres absolutely no smudging! I apply two strokes per eye and I get the full volume look I love. This formula also lasts me through a full day of work and I never have to re-apply before a night out.

$6.99

When it comes to fake lashes, I do not like anything heavy, too thick or unnatural looking. ARDELL lashes are in-expensive, have a wide range of styles, and offer discounts often which makes them even more affordable. I do prefer strip lashes over single lashes, from experience strip lashes are easier for me to apply. I normally get the twin packs of ARDELL Demi 120 lashes or ARDELL Studio Effect Demi wispies. Demi 120 lashes are a more natural everyday look. These lashes do add light volume, but I do add mascara when I wear these. Studio effect Demi wispies are still a natural look but they are fuller and give more length. (no mascara needed) 

$6.49

I use and prefer the duo blue package lash glue, but have tried the green package as well. I personally do not like the brush given for applying in the green package of DUO lash glue. Both glues have the same texture and dry time, but the blue package lash glue has longer lasting wear for me.

$21.00

If you aren't a lip color type of gal, I'm thinking you may want to re-consider and try too-faced melted collections. I have tried there glosses, matte lip colors, and most recently there matte-tallic liquified lip color, I AM OBSESSED! Too-faced lip colors are priced a bit higher than other brands I have tried but all the shades I have are long lasting (through drinking/eating), smell great, and are cruelty free! This particular collection has 14 colors to choose from and I purchased two of the metallic shades! My current favorite I am using is FAKING IT. Ulta is also offering a gift with purchase if customers make the purchase online!

$16.00

Ulta now has Kyle cosmetics and this is so convenient for any makeup lover that hasn't tried her products yet or is obsessed with the lip kits! I never really had any interest in Kylie cosmetics, but a friend of mine bought this lip color for me and I ended up liking it! I love the wear of this liquid lipstick and it lasted longer than I thought it would, the color also goes on smooth and stays vibrant. I ended up buying another color from her collection shortly after I tried this basic lip matte color. 

$32.00

I just recently bought this setting spray and I am in love! My makeup lasted all day and the spray is so light weight on my skin! This spray helps prevent smudging or melting of your makeup with the proprietary temperature control technology! Did I mention the all nighter setting spray is vegan and is selling on urban decays website in a duo pack for only $39 right now?!

Xo Nik