College Life: Day on Campus Essentials

Oh, those long days on campus going to class or studying at the library. 

You learn a lot spending time on campus, though, like what you absolutely need to have with you at all times. We all know that your should have your laptop and school work with you, but what about the little things that we don't really realize until later on that we actually need always? Because some of you will be heading to college this fall, I thought it would be fitting to list all of the essentials you will need to carry around with you while you are on campus!

1. Backpack

You will of course need something to carry all of your stuff in! It's not like you are going to be lugging a potato sack full of your things around a large college campus. Also, forget the fancy handbags!! I know, they are stylish, but carrying around a heavy bag on one shoulder all day will bother you like crazy after the first quarter! I used to use a messenger bag from Forever 21, and I then ditched it for a comfortable North Face backpack. I highly recommend North Face Borealis backpacks!! So many pockets to organize my things! Don't even get me started on the laptop sleeve! The Borealis backpack is padded on the back and shoulder straps, and it provides excellent support for your back. Get it, and you will love it as much as I do!

2. Comfortable Shoes

I used to only wear boots, flats or sandals, refusing to wear tennis shoes except for my running shoes. How girly of me, huh? At the start of my first year of university, I brought with me from home a pair each of boots, sandals, and flats. I destroyed them all within 4 months from walking around campus a lot. They were terrible for walking around campus because I had to walk through grass and on uneven surfaces at some points. Also, because my university's campus is very large, my shoes did not provide great comfort and support walking to and from class every day. I finally bought a pair of navy Keds and put some insoles in them for extra comfort. I can hear my feet thanking me now. Figuratively speaking of course. My feet don't actually talk to me. What I am trying to say is set aside looking absolutely glamorous every day and wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in. Think to yourself, "Would I want to wear these shoes to walk 3 miles in?" 

3. Reusable Water Bottle

You have to keep yourself hydrated at all times! Also, in the process of making yourself healthier, why not also make the planet healthier by not drinking from plastic bottles? Get yourself a reusable water bottle and keep it in the little pouch on the side of your backpack. A lot of college campuses nowadays have water filing stations that you can fill your water bottles at, which is very convenient. I like water bottles with designs on them because it's like a fashion statement that you can drink out of, oddly enough. 

4. Hair Ties

I have long hair, and I sometimes get really bothered by it if it is either really hot or windy outside. I also prefer to put my hair up when I take exams just so I can focus on acing them and not getting my hair out of my face. That is why I always have with me hair ties to put my hair in a bun or ponytail whenever I want to. Elastic printed hair ties are currently my favorite accessories because they can be worn on your arm as a cute bracelet and don't leave dents in your hair! 

5. Lip Balm

If I forget my lip balm at home and get dry lips midday, I am screwed. That is why I always have so many lip balms in my handbag and backpack. If I lose one, I AM PREPARED! You will be spending quite a lot of time on campus, so don't forget to have lip balm with you. I recommend getting a lip balm that is hydrating and has an SPF to prevent your lips from getting sunburned. 

6. Granola Bar

Have you ever experienced that embarrassing moment when you are in class and your stomach growls like an angry bear starting a motorcycle? Yea, we've all been there. To prevent it, bring a granola bar or some sort of snack with you when you go onto campus. In college, there will be times when you have 4 one hour classes back to back, so there will not be enough time for you to fit in a proper meal. That's why you should bring a granola bar with you to eat quickly in between classes to satisfy your grumbling stomach for a couple of hours before you can get lunch.


I hope you found this blog post helpful. Best of luck to those of you entering into college!

Lisa xx

Oh Canada!

Those who know me know that every year, I go to Canada for a week and a half or so to visit my relatives there. I've been going to Canada since I was only three months old. One of the first things my parents bought me was probably a passport. I've been to Canada, specifically the Greater Toronto Area, so often that I have done it all. Niagara Falls? Been there twice. Toronto Eaton Centre? Conquered that multiple times. CN Tower? That sh*t was scary (fear of heights). Toronto Zoo? I wanted to ride the giraffe there when I was little. Tim Horton's? Oh yeah. Accidentally said  "Eh" in a conversation? Unfortunately. 

Last month, to make my trip more interesting, I brought my DSLR and pretended that I was a professional photographer that was on a mission to capture what I did while in Canada. Come on! Let me show you what I did and where I went!

While in Toronto in 2011, I discovered a pizza joint that has become hands down my favorite pizza place! The restaurant is called Pizzeria Libretto. Living in California, I have not had mind blowing pizza. It's probably because water on the East Coast water works better with the yeast in the dough than California water. Weird, right? 

I want lights like these on the ceiling of my room! I think I would constantly walk into them though because the ceiling in my room isn't that high...\

 Yummy margherita goodness! 

After lunch at Pizzeria Libretto, I walked by this food market that had decorated its outside walls with graffiti of vegetables! So cool!!

This super long park looks out to Lake Ontario. You see people rollerskating, riding their bikes, and ...

 ... walking their dogs!

What goes better with a walk in the park on a hot (and humid) summer day than a bomb pop?!

There was a section in the park that had like a circle of trees that people have carved words, pictures, etc into! Looks absolutely wicked!

 Oh Canada!!

My all-time favorite picture from my trip is one that I took while in a car driving through Downtown Toronto. From far away, I saw an old couple standing on the sidewalk. I rushed to pull my camera out to snap a photo of them and managed to. It is not the best quality picture I've taken, but it is nonetheless my favorite because of the tender moment it captures.

It was a great trip, and I can't wait to go back!

Lisa xx

The Playlist: RVRB - Lost in the Wild

If you've ever watched The Glee Project, a reality television show which serves as an audition for the hit show Glee, then you might have heard of the name Cameron Mitchell. I refer to him as the Robert Pattinson look-alike with a John Mayer type of voice. He was known for doing covers on YouTube of such musicians as Bon Iver, The Beatles, and, of course, John Mayer. 

After an eight month hiatus, he's back with a completely different genre than what he was noted for. Entering into the electronic style, he and his friend, Jake Morrison, form the duo called RVRB. No, I do not know what RVRB stands for. All I know is that their new song, "Lost in the Wild", is amazing! Mitchell's soulful voice is just the cherry on top of this track and adds a different dimension to it. 

Check out the song for yourself! I predict a very bright and successful future for this new duo.

Lisa xx 

July Favorites

2013 is already half way done?! WHAT?! I know I always, and will always, start off my favorites post by exclaiming how fast time flies by because it is true! It seems like time is soaring by at 1,000 miles per hour, especially now that I am in college.

So many things happened in July. I traveled a lot. I ate new foods, experienced different cultures, and even endured my first "extreme" storm. I would call it extreme coming from always sunny California, but the locals there probably called it an average Monday in July. I went on crazy adventures with my friends and made new friends along the way. July was overall a just great month!

The month of July was also spent discovering new favorites in all sorts of categories. Here is a detailed look into what I have been loving.

BEAUTY

1. Daiso Japan Charcoal Mask

First up is this charcoal mask that I got from Daiso. Daiso is a Japanese store that sells practically everything for $1.50, so guess how much this cost? Ding ding ding! $1.50! It is the most inexpensive and best face product that I own. Its purpose is removing blackheads and whiteheads, and boy does it do that very well!

The actually product after you squeeze it out of the tube is literally black goop. You can apply it around your nose (what I do) or all over your face. Like other masks, you let it dry on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and then peel it off. After one use, I noticed that my pores shrank incredibly and my blackheads were gone. It is a miracle product and my favorite beauty discovery of the year so far!

2. Bioderma Sensibio H20

When I went to Canada, it was my mission to pick up a bottle of Bioderma Sensibio H2O after hearing everyone rave about it. I understand the craze now. It looks like water, feels like water, smells like water, doesn't taste like water though. I found out the hard way. BLEH! Although it doesn't taste good, Bioderma works amazingly! It removes even the toughest waterproof mascara! Now that's a huge thumbs up from me!

3. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

I FOUND IT!! Eureka, I found it!! The number one thing on my shopping list when I went to Canada was the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation. After watching Tanya Burr go on and on about how amazing this foundation is, I had to pick it up. It provides a medium coverage with very slight shimmer to create a nice, dewy finish. I would not recommend this product if you have really oily skin. It blends very nicely with either your fingers or a foundation brush like the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to buff it into your skin. I really like this foundation because it makes me look alive and not like I had only 4 hours of sleep the night before which happens A LOT.

5. Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer 

You know I had to also get the concealer! Lately, this had been my go-to concealer. I really like the consistency of it. It's not too liquid-like and at the same time not too thick, which makes it easy to blend and allows for it to stay put for a long period of time. For days when I have class, I would often just skip foundation and apply this under my eyes and on any blemishes and I'm good to go face-wise. It is a medium coverage concealer. Very good concealer. Yup yup! 

4. Benefit They're Real Mascara

For months, I've thought "I don't really need this mascara. I'm good without it. It doesn't really seem THAT special." Then, I got a small sample size from Sephora in June as a birthday gift that they give to Beauty Insiders. My goodness. I need to stop underestimating things. This mascara is FLIPPIN life changing! Well, as life changing mascara can be. My lashes look longer, fuller, and fabulous after just one coat. It holds a curl fantastically and does not budge at all! 

5. Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

I've been really into coral-y, orange-y lip colors for the summertime. The Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya has been the lip product that has satisfied my desire for summertime looking lips. 

Although it looks straight-up orange in certain lighting, in natural lighting, it is actually pink with some slight orange. It contains no shimmer, but instead makes your lips look, well, JUICY! 

6. Essie Come Here

When I saw this nail polish, it talked to me. It really did. It said to me, "Lisa, my name is Come Here. If you come here and pick me, I will brighten up your summer!" Just kidding, it didn't talk to me (obviously), but if it could talk, I'm sure that's what it would have said. What I like about this color is that it looks like I'm wearing a different nail color every time the lighting changed. Under more yellowy lighting, it looks red orange. Under natural or LED type of lighting, it looks a coral-y pink. Two in one! Kind of... Look gorgeous either way!

7. Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Brown

I've kind of ignored pencil eyeliners for over a year now. That is, until I bought Rimmel's ScandaEyes Kohl Kajal in Brown! 

(My attempt at hand modeling while awkwardly trying to hold an object). It is a rich dark chocolate brown with specks of gold shimmer in it, which I love! This eyeliner will not budge after application. Even without a primer! Freaking amazing for a freaking amazing and cheap price! It is probably the best eyeliner that I have ever used. It applies like buttah (yes, buttah) if buttah was an eyeliner. 

8. Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter

It tastes like candy! Fruity candy! I've been hesitant to use Burt's Bees lip balms because the first one I tried was the original honey one, and I HATED the smell of it. I, however, thought I would give the line a second chance and opted for their mango butter lip balm. Now it will forever me a part of my collection. 

9. Up & Up Nail Polish Remover Pads

I picked these up at Target for my trip to Canada and Florida because of how convenient they are. This is the first time I've ever used nail polish remover pads, and I love great they are for travelling! Those days of packing mini bottles of nail polish remover and cotton balls are behind me! 

FOOD

Chobani Flip Greek Yogurt

For my food favorite of the month, I have chosen Chobani's Flip Greek Yogurt line. It's like flavored yogurt on one side and toppings on another side. Then, you kind of "flip" the toppings into the yogurt by folding the packaging. It's kind of difficult to fold the container, or maybe that's just me.... Tastes good though! Instead of eating ice cream for dessert, I would treat myself to one of these! Yummy! 

MUSIC

5 Seconds of Summer

I have been obsessed with 5 Seconds of Summer, an Australian pop rock band. They have the potential of being huge all over the world. I mean One Direction type of huge. Funny enough, they are currently touring as One Direction's opening act. What I like the most about them is that they act like average teenagers, lad's lads, blokes, etc. despite their seemingly exponential rise to popularity throughout the world within just one year. If you've never heard one of their songs, go check them out on YouTube! 

July Unfavorite 

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

I bought this mini bottle at Ulta because I wanted to see if it would give my hair any beachy texture. It didn't. I was really disappointed by it. I, however, have stick straight hair, so all it did was make my hair kind of matte looking. I was expecting at least some texture after using it, but I was disappointed. If you have naturally wavy hair though, it might work better for you than it did for me. 

That is all of my favorites from this past month! Share with me in the comments what you've been loving this past month! I'd love to read them and try out some of your favorites!

Until next time!

Lisa xx

My Concert Look

My Concert Look by lotsoflisa featuring a motorcycle jacket

H m
$30 - hm.com

Motorcycle jacket
nastygal.com

Forever 21 light weight pants
forever21.com

Ked
asos.com

Nars cosmetic
nordstrom.com

Benefit eye makeup
$30 - johnlewis.com

Rimmel
$6.06 - asos.com

The Beauty Review: Miracle Skin Transformer

Every time there is a Sephora nearby, it is almost like Sephora is a powerful magnet and I am a puny metal that gets dragged from meters away. I go in, try on a lip product, and then go to the makeup counter to see what samples they have available. 

During my recent trip to this makeup heaven, there was a representative from Sarah McNamara was at the counter, and she introduced to me the brand's Miracle Skin Transformer. She described it as a "unique" BB cream that does five things in one product, like every other BB cream out there. She insisted that I take a couple of samples home to try out on my own time. Little did she know, I love getting free samples so I was beyond happy to take those babies home. 

After testing it out of myself and wearing it out for a day (a very hot day, in fact), I thought I would whack on a short review for you all!


What It Says It Does
The packaging of the Miracle Skin Transformer says that it hydrates, primes, enhances, mattifies, and protects all in one single step. It has an SPF of 20 and is also full of antioxidants which we all know helps to prevent wrinkles from popping up on our faces. According to Sephora.com, this product is formulated to improve your skin tone, luminosity, and texture, while minimizing the look of pores, fine lines, and imperfections.

What It's Really Like
The Miracle Skin Transformer is unlike most other BB creams in terms of texture. It is more like a mousse than anything else. It provides a light to medium coverage. It has good lasting power after I wore it out in the California sun for a few hours without a primer. You definitely DO NOT need to finish this product off with a dust of powder. I initially found it interested that it claims to both hydrate AND mattify your skin. After using it, I would say that it does a great job of mattifying your skin and not so good of a job at hydrating it. If you have dry skin, do not use this BB cream because it will make your skin seem even more dry. It may be more fitting if you have really oily skin. What is the best way of applying this product? You can either use your fingers or a brush, but you have to work it into your skin quickly because it sets fairly quickly.   

My Final Verdict
It is a decent product, but I personally would not purchase it. I prefer my foundations/BB creams with a slightly dewy finish so I can have the option to go over it with a powder if I feel like it. If you have oily skin, try it out and see if you like it. The Miracle Skin Transformer, in my opinion, would be good for people in school who want a product that has a light coverage and does not need any powder. 


I hope you found this review helpful!!

Lisa xx

Chocolate Bonanza Cookies

History has been made.

I have created something so amazing that it might as well be adapted into your local high school's history books. 

Using Pioneer Woman's recipe for Chocolate Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies, I made the ultimate chocolate cookies. There is so much chocolate packed into these cookies that I personally call them Monthly Gift Cookies because when Mother Nature brings a woman her monthly gift, these are the cookies she will want to be munching on. Trust me, I know. You can honestly call these cookies anything and it would work: Life of the Party Cookies, Oh My Cookies, Please Your Man Cookies, Kryptonite Cookies, etc. The only that would make these cookies even better is if you could lose weight by just eating them. If only....

Click here to be taken to Pioneer Woman's recipe for her chocolate cookies.

I made a couple of adjustments to her cookies to add a personal touch. 

Firstly, instead of two cups of granulated sugar, I used 1.5 cups. I then added half a cup of brown sugar because I like my cookies to make that sort of hint of molasses taste to them.

Secondly, I dumped in a whole bunch of different types of chocolate. In addition to the traditional semisweet chocolate chips, I added Swiss milk chocolate squares that I picked up from Canada, French white chocolate squares from my trip to Epcot, and, my personal favorite, milk chocolate with bits of cookies and cream. YUUMMMMM!!!!! 

When it comes to what you want in your cookies, I say "Throw in whatever the heck you like." Experiment a little! Personalize them to what you like. I happen to like lots of chocolate! You can put in dried cranberries, Oreos, or even some cayenne for a kick. 

You know how recipes say how long you are suppose to bake something for? I never follow those times. You know how you are suppose to preheat the oven before you actually put the cookies in? I never do that. I play by my own rules. That is how I rebelled as a teenager: not following recipes. Who's bad? I'm bad. 

How do I know when cookies are finished without over baking them? I keep a very close eye on them. My trick is when the very edges of the cookies start to become golden brown and look a tiny bit "wrinkly", I turn off the oven, pull the cookies out, and let them rest on the baking sheets even if the middle of the cookies look unfinished. Because the cookies and baking sheets are still hot once you pull the cookies out, the heat finish the baking process during the resting time. Then, you will have perfect cookies that are completely baked but with soft centers and slightly crunchy edges. 

BAM. There you have the secret to perfect cookies. 

Look at that chocolate just oozing out. Oh. My. Goodness. 

The reason why I love these cookies is that each cookie is different. One may have chunks of milk chocolate and white chocolate while another may have bits of cookies and cream. It adds the element of surprise when eating these cookies. 

If you try out this recipe, please tell me what you think of it! I would love to hear your opinions!

Lisa xx