With Christmas and New Years rapidly approaching, it’s safe to say more and more people are going to be on the go. In order to survive the chaos and make sure you get to your destination without any hassle follow these tips for stress free traveling during the busiest time of the year.

Pack What You Need. Some experts advise travelers to pack light and only bring a carry on to avoid the long lines for checking a bag. But sometimes that doesn’t always work out. Most of the time, the influx of carry on items makes security lines even longer and there is never enough air bin space available. At LAX, some TSA agents will not let you bring bigger “carry on” luggage through the line and will make you go check it anyways. If you know you can’t fit everything in a tiny carry on bag, then do not force it. Do what works best for you and your travel needs.

Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute. Get everything you need all together at least the day before you leave. The more time you have to pack your bags and wrap up presents, the less stuff you’re likely to forget. Make a list of everything you need at least week before so you give yourself enough time to get everything together. If you need to add more items to your list, you have plenty of time to think as you go. This will relieve some of the travel day stress, and make your journey easier on you.

Dress For Comfort. When you’re going to be traveling for a long period of time, dressing for comfort rather than style is the best case scenario. Wearing something tight and uncomfortable while you’re traveling is only just going to make getting to your destination more miserable. Wearing stretchy material will make you feel more relaxed during a stressful period of time. If you want to be extra comfortable during your travels bring a blanket and pillow so you can reach the ultimate comfort level.

Be Prepared. No matter how long or short your travel time may be it’s always best to be prepared for any possible scenario. According to Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. You never know if your flight will get delayed or even cancelled. There could also be a major traffic accident, you never know. It’s best to be prepared for any possible outcome. Sometimes all you can do is make the best out of the situation. Make sure you bring a snack or get food for your journey so you don’t get hangry. Also remember to charge all your devices for your journey and download all the necessary apps and movies/shows before you leave! Finding an outlet at the airport will be a mission especially with all the extra amount of people traveling. If you’re driving or plan on getting a rental car make sure your car charger is coming with you! With any delays or getting their early, you’ll have a decent amount of time just waiting and hanging around so bring a book or magazine to occupy your time.

Check Traffic Before You Leave. With today’s technology fighting traffic and avoiding it in anyway possible is actually a reality. Apps like Google Maps and Waze help drivers get to where they need to go on the quickest route possible. Waze even has the option to plan ahead for your drive. All you have to do is put in the time you want to arrive and Waze will let you know what time you need to leave.

Be Early. Especially if you’re flying, you’ll want to get to the airport as early as you possibly can for your flight. Lines for checking in and security are going to be long no matter what so it’s best to have more time rather than less. If you can, check in for your flight online to save time, most airlines let you check in online twenty four hours before your flight departs. But if you’re checking in a bag, you’re going to have to check in again in order to get your baggage tags so it might be pointless to check in twice. If you don’t want to have to get to the airport super early and don’t want to wait in the super long lines, invest in TSA Precheck, an expedited screening that has a way shorter security line.

Relax! The only way to successfully get through traveling during the holiday season is just to relax. Take every moment as they come, and control your emotions and stress. Look around at the holiday decorations at the airport and on the road. Don’t be mad if things don’t follow though exactly how you planned. Take a deep breath. Sometimes things are just out of your control and there’s nothing you can do. Just remember where you’re going and why you’re headed there. Every little obstacle will be worth it once you get to your final destination.

This is the busiest travel time of the year so keep in mind you’re not the only one headed somewhere important during this holiday season. If you follow these tips, you’ll survive holiday season traveling this year. Make the best out of the situation and do the best you can to try to make it enjoyable.

Safe travels to you all this holiday season!

Until tomorrow

For the one with the Popping Highlight there are several go to brands that are known for their glow. Right now, the Anastasia Beverly Hills glow kits are a hot ticket item. Also if you can find Rihanna's Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter in stock at Sephora, your beauty lover will love you forever for being able to snag it. For something a little more basic and classic, you can't go wrong with the Becca Après Ski Glow Face Palette. If you have no idea what brand your beauty guru loves best, then the Sephora Glow For It gift set is your best bet and a pretty affordable option. For $40 you get a sampler set of the best selling and most popular highlighters.

For the one who is Palette Obsessed, picking the right one can be difficult because of all the options. The Naked Palette by Urban Decay is the perfect starter eyeshadow palette. If your beauty guru is obsessed with beauty influencers then the Morphe Jaclyn Hill Eyeshadow Palette collaboration is a good go to. If your beauty expert isn't easily swayed by influencers then any of Morphe's palettes will get the job done. Right now, everyone is obsessed with the Huda Beauty palettes from Sephora, so snag one if you can. But honestly, there really isn't a bad palette out there. Brands like Tarte, Too Faced, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and other A List beauty brands all make killer palettes.

For the one who is the Lipstick Queen, you can go one of two ways. 1. Get the lip gift set with every color in the crayon box or 2. Stick to one shade and get a gift set that has a variation of the same shade. If your beauty expert has one go to shade she adores, stick with that. Sephora currently has gift sets that will focus on one standard shade type, like nude or bold. Each of those gift sets have several different lipsticks from different brands all in a similar shade. However, if your beauty guru wants something new, NYX offers several different gift sets featuring almost every single color of the rainbow at an affordable price. My personal favorite is the Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar, it's a festive and fun treat for the holiday season.

For the one who needs to Relax and Unwind, you can't go wrong with bath bombs, face masks, or any kind of bath product. Bath & Body Shop gift sets have always been popular, but even more now Lush has taken over the game. They have great gift sets already wrapped and ready to go! If you're looking for face masks, Sephora also carries a gift set filled with their most popular masks that work for all skin types. If you want something more high end, Glam Glow also has a great skincare gift set.

For the one who creates Nail Masterpieces, almost every department store and beauty retailer has nail polish gift sets. The most popular gift set at the moment is the Love OPI XOXO miniature gift set from Ulta and it has a variety of colors and it is a limited edition set specifically made with the holidays in mind. But another great nail polish brand is Ciate London, they currently have a winter gift set as well. It contains festive and sparkly nail polish!

No matter what you decide to do for your beauty enthusiast, as long as you put some thought and effort into it they will appreciate you no matter what. Plus if you're still having some trouble just ask for assistance at your local beauty retailer. They're there to help make your shopping experience easier and help you pick out the perfect gift.

Are there any beauty products you're dying for this holiday season? Personally, I could use some new bath bombs. Comment below!

Until tomorrow.

There's always a chance you could pick the name of the person you know like the back of your hand, but if you're not so lucky (like myself) you'll pick the name of someone you don't know very well. Last year (and even this year) for my job's Secret Santa I picked someone that I hardly knew at all. But luckily, someone in the office came up with a genius idea to put together a Google Doc where we all could share our likes and interests. For me, this was a huge help! Since I knew nothing about my person, I was able to look at her likes and put together a decent gift for her.

But sometimes you don't get a crutch like a document filled with gift ideas made by your person, even though that's a really good idea. So for those of you struggling to figure out what to get your Secret Santa this year have no fear. Here is what you can do to be the best Secret Santa:

Think About Your Person. This may be an obvious tip but it truly is the best place to start. Close your eyes, picture the person. What's their style like? When you think about them what are they doing? Do you and this person have a memory or a significant event where you two bonded? Little questions like this can help you figure out the core personality of your person which could lead to an amazing gift!

Check Out Their Social Media. This may make you feel like a stalker, but if you do not know anything about your person and have zero clues about who they are this will help a lot. Just by going to their Facebook page you can literally look at pages they've liked and maybe even shared. The same goes with Twitter and Instagram, you can see what they've posted about or even check out other posts they have liked. Sometimes even checking to see what kind of accounts they follow can help you narrow down your search.

Gather Some Intel. Now you don't need to be a spy to complete this task. All you need to do is figure out who knows your person best and ask them for some advice or if they have any suggestions. Or if you're feeling really brave, you can casually talk to your person and try to get to know them a little better. Just be careful and don't let them figure out you're their Secret Santa! If you start eating lunch with them everyday and are constantly playing twenty questions they will definitely figure it out.

Make A List. When you write something down it can help you visualize and think clearly, especially if you are completely stuck. Take the time to gather what you know and write it all down. This will help you come up with some possible gift ideas. Maybe you can even narrow it down to the actual gift!

Stay In Budget. This may be an obvious tip, but remember to always keep to the set budget. Even if you get your best friend, you may want to spend an excess amount because you really care about that person. But it is important to keep in mind about everyone's feelings. Also don't be that person who spends less than half of the amount. If finance is a huge issue for you, you can always opt out. No one will judge you for not participating. As long as you play fair and stay in the budget it will be a great time!

If You're Still Stuck It's Okay To Be Generic. Sometimes there are people who are just difficult to figure out what they could possibly want or even need. And that's okay, because they probably don't know what they want either. In these circumstances a gift card is probably your best bet, and that's perfectly fine. Whether it's for their favorite restaurant, store, coffee shop or even the movie theater, that could be the most practical gift and it will be appreciated.

When in Doubt Listen To Your Gut. If you're unsure or not positive that your person will like what you've picked out, don't stress over it. If something called out to you, trust your instinct. It called out to you for a reason. As long as you do your best and put some thought into it, your person will appreciate the time and effort you put into their gift. If they complain and say you're the worst Secret Santa ever then that's their problem, not yours.

The point of Secret Santa is to have fun! If you received someone you don't know very well don't dread it, look at it as an opportunity to get to know them a little bit better. Be sure not to give any of the secrets away, the whole point of Secret Santa is that it is supposed to be a mystery! It starts to lose the magic once everyone knows who has who. Don't stress, and remember to have fun! And as long as you follow these suggestions, you will slay your Secret Santa gift exchange this year!

Now you tell me, are you participating in a Secret Santa this year? Do you have any tips and suggestions you want to share? Comment below!

Until tomorrow!

This banner shows what the main attractions are for each night. But have no fear, you don't have to wait for the evening to catch the movies. In fact, Freeform starts playing Christmas movies and specials around 7AM each day and continues to play them until midnight every day. You can check Freeform's daily schedule and even their upcoming daily schedules online. If you do not have access to Freeform on your television, they do offer an app you can download or you can go to their website and watch live from there. However you do need to have a TV provider login or an account with an online streaming cable service to be able to access it.

Throughout the holiday season you can watch classic movies like The Santa Clause, Elf, Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express and many more on Freeform. But Freeform also shows their own holiday specials and movies. You can watch previous ones like The Mistle-Tones, Holiday in Handcuffs, Holidaze, Snow, Christmas Cupid and many more. Are these movies the best? No. But if you need a laugh and are in the mood to watch a cheesy holiday themed movie that has a little romance to it, these will get the job done. This year, Freeform introduced a new original holiday movie called Angry Angel starring Brenda Song and Jason Biggs. I for one am really excited to watch this movie, it looks funny and sassy!

Speaking of new movies and premieres on Freeform, this year there is a new addition to the movie lineup for the 25 Days of Christmas. This year, you'll be able to watch the holiday comedy Christmas with the Kranks. It will debut two weeks from today on Saturday, December 16 in the evening after Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Freeform will also show some Disney Parks holiday specials. The first one to air will be the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings reality show that will be all about winter and holiday weddings. So if that's something you're into, check that out on Monday, December 11. For me, weddings are the last thing on my mind during this time of the year. The second special to air is something for all the Disney and Disneyland lovers out there. This one is called Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic, if you ever wondered what goes on when decorating the parks during the holiday season this is going to be the special you want to watch, and this will air on Monday, December 18.

This is Freeform's 21st year putting on the 25 Days of Christmas, so if you haven't tuned in yet, what are you waiting for?! Turn on your TV right now and put it on Freeform and catch a movie to get you in the holiday spirit!

So tell me, what movie are you looking forward to watching this holiday season? For me, it definitely has to be Elf. Until tomorrow

Today is December 1, a day where we can (hopefully) all agree it is the appropriate time to officially start getting into the holiday spirit. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Festivus or any other holiday that takes place this month, it's safe to say that this time of the year is truly the best. What all these holidays have in common is just not presents or materialistic items, but each holiday in their own way represents what this season is truly about: spending time with your family and loved ones. Sure all the gifts are nice, but the most important thing to remember is that we all take the time to cherish all the little things in your life that you may take for granted throughout the rest of the year.

Which leads me to the next most wonderful part of this season, BLOGMAS is back! For those of you who have no idea what Blogmas is, have no fear, I've got you covered. Blogmas is a time of the year and tradition for bloggers. Bloggers who participate are challenged to write posts every single day up until Christmas. Most posts are typically Christmas, holiday or winter related but it all depends on what the blogger is inspired by. Pretty cool right?

Blogmas is my favorite thing about the holiday season. Not only do I love the challenge of writing daily posts (which by the way is super tough), but I also love to see what other bloggers have to say this holiday season and support the blogger community. If you're looking for more blogs participating in Blogmas this season, search for #BLOGMAS on Twitter, that's where all the Blogmas and even Vlogmas action will be this holiday season!

But here on Hey Kaitlin Mary you're going to find a variety of posts about almost anything and everything. I've been participating in Blogmas for the past two years, and each year I want to be even better than the one before. Which leads me to my next point, I want to hear from you, the readers. I want to know what do you want read about this Blogmas! If you have any topics you want to hear about or learn more about please let me know, don't be shy. Comment below, shoot me an email, DM me on social media, or even send me a carrier pigeon, I'd love to know what you want to see this Blogmas!

I hope you all are just as excited I am about this year's Blogmas! In fact, if you can't wait until my next post tomorrow check out some of my posts from previous years.

So tell me, what are you most looking forward to the most this holiday season?

Until tomorrow!

But how do you know which subscription is the best? Well that all depends on taste. Based on my experience, I noticed ipsy would send out unknown and obscure brands. However, I've really fallen in love with Sephora's Play! Box. Not only do they send me samples of the brands I know and love, they also send out samples of new products that will make appearances in the retail stores soon.

For those of you who do not know much about Play! by Sephora let me give you a quick little rundown. Play! is beauty subscription service that includes six samples from high end brands that you know and love from Sephora. For $10 a month you get six awesome samples plus some other perks, like 50 bonus Beauty Insider Points and a free one-on-one tutorial with a Sephora Beauty Expert. Not a bad deal right?

Let's take a look at what the September Play! Box had to offer, inside were the following products:

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Statement eyeshadow and eyeliner are always on trend in the beauty community, it's no surprise that the Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo in Talia Silver was inside the Play! Box for the month of September. The eyeshadow duo has a liquid formula that you apply first to set the look, then add a layer of the glitter shimmer on top for a bold and sparkly look. The liquid formula can also be worn alone for a less statement look. The only problems that I encountered with the duo eyeshadow was that the liquid end is on the dry side. It gets to the point where you end up using too much of the liquid and it gets very heavy and thick on your eyes. When it comes to the formula it is important to remember that a little will go a long way. However the pigmentation and quality of the shadow is impeccable.

Fall time is the best time to start breaking out the dark and edgy lipstick shades. But with the changing weather it is important to keep your lips moisturized and chapped free. The Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipstick in Wanderberry Burgundy is the perfect lipstick for fall time. Not only is the color an absolute gorgeous dark red, it is also bold and long lasting. Never before in my life have I had my lipstick survive after eating a Chipotle burrito, but my Wander Beauty lipstick lasted throughout my entire meal. What is also amazing about this lipstick is that it is a hydrating formula that applies smoothly and ends up having a matte finish. Easy to say, I think I found my new favorite and go to lipstick!

The Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black Lace is great standard and typical eyeliner. It is long lasting with a strong pigment that does not smudge easily when applying. The Sephora Collection has a variety of options when it comes to their eyeliner. There are 25 different shades which also include matte, shimmer and glitter finishes. The best thing about Sephora's house brand eyeliner is the variety of options and it truly is a great quality eyeliner.

When you're 25 years old the last thing you're ever thinking of purchasing is any kind of youth preserve or anti-aging cream. So to find those two products in this Play! Box was interesting to say the least. The Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex is a daily moisturizer that smells very earthy, almost like a garden of succulents. The only flaw with this cream is that it does irritate your skin at first while it tightens your skin. The second youthful cream in the box was the Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream. Like the Lotus Cream it tightens your face, however the irritation isn't as strong. In fact, I found the Algenist cream to be more hydrating and it left my skin feeling soft. When I start to encounter wrinkles, this would be my go to face cream.

Now normally with the Play! Boxes, the sixth sample is typically a fragrance. However, this month instead the bonus sample was the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask. On a personal preference, I'd take haircare products over a fragrance any day. So this was a pleasant surprise! The Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is a weekly treatment that hydrates and strengthens your hair. What I really love about this deep conditioner is that it truly does help treat damaged hair and makes it even softer and healthier. Plus it smells so good!! My only complaint is that I wish had more!

The September Play! Box was filled with great products perfect for transitioning into fall weather. My favorite product had to be the Wander Beauty Wanderout Lipstick while my least favorite was the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream. But overall, I was still impressed and I'd give this box 4/5 stars!

Now let's see what the October Box has to offer! This box has the sole intentions of keeping your complexion flawless and establishing a caring and thought out beauty routine. Inside were the following products:

Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her

Primer is a complete must have for creating your makeup look, but finding a good one is easier said than done. The Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Complexion Prep Priming Spray is one of the best primers out there. Instead of a cream that claims to hydrate your skin, this primer is a gentle mist that truly hydrates your face while minimizing pores and brightening your complexion. With the mist under your skin, it is easier to apply your makeup and have it long lasting. This liquid spray is magical, it does not smudge and it has a tropical scent that you will just adore.

In a box focusing solely on one's complexion it's no surprise there is a foundation sample present. The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation not only applies and blends well it also gives a flawless coverage that lasts for a long amount of time. Plus it also smoothes your skin and it doesn't feel heavy on your face. What is also great about this particular liquid foundation is that it is available in 40 different shades!

Micellar water is a lazy girl's best friend when it comes to washing her face. For those of you who have been living under a rock and do not know about the amazing beauty trend, micellar water is a facial wash, makeup remover and moisturizer all rolled into one product. Now since it has become a hot ticket item, every company out there is trying to get in on the trend. In fact Sephora has created their own version and stuck it in this Play! Box. The Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water probably would not be my go to micellar water to purchase, but it is not bad. It's very cleansing and soothing. The only thing is that is leaves your face a little sticky once you first use it but after a bit your skin feels fresh after.

Next up is the Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, a moisturizer filled with Vitamin C that brightens and hydrates skin. What is really great about this moisturizer is that it softens your skin and give it a natural glow. Plus the citrus scent is to die for! The only problem with this is that the consistency is on the sticky side, but a little water can clean that up.

Blemishes are inevitable, no one has perfect skin 24/7. And that's okay, because that's human nature. Concealer is a must have, but finding one that gives long lasting and flawless coverage can be tricky. However, the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination™ Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer provides hope. This concealer is not only a waterproof under eye concealer, it also provides anti aging benefits and reduces dark circles. It truly does give a flawless coverage and it blends well all while brightening your complexion. This concealer may specialize under the eyes but it really can cover up any blemish or dark circle you want to hide.

And for the bonus sample for October, Sephora came back with the fragrances! The Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her is a sweet floral scent that is perfect for any time of the year. The sweet scent reminds you of smelling a garden when the flowers are just about to bloom, you can't help but smile when you smell it. If you're a big fan of floral scents this fragrance is perfect for you.

Overall the October Box was very impressive! Each product had positive qualities and there was nothing terribly wrong with any of them. My absolute favorites from this box were the Urban Decay Priming Spray and the It Cosmetics Under Eye Concealer! I'd give this particular box 4/5 stars. After using all these products my complexion feels better and brighter. I can't wait to see what the next boxes will have to offer. If you liked what Play! has to offer check out their website here and subscribe.

Until next time.

One of the most beneficial skills to have in life is the ability to understand and speak multiple languages. If you think about it, language is the most standard form of communication. There are over SEVEN BILLION people on Earth, and there are over SIX THOUSAND different languages spoken across it. If you only know one language, think of all the people you are unable to communicate with.

Especially in America, learning multiple languages is a skill that is not enforced or promoted often. One thing that most people abroad think about Americans is that they only speak English and expect everyone else around the world to speak it as well. While this can be true for some, this isn't the whole truth. There are several exceptions, like those who do know another language. But, most of the time that is because English is their second language or their family is fluent in another language. How many people do you know that were born and raised speaking English who happen to also learn another language just because they wanted to? Sad to say that number is not very high.

For those groups of people who have only spoken one language their whole life, they're missing out on an amazing life skill. While learning a language is a great skill to have especially if you like to travel, it can also help you in so many other ways. If you know multiple languages it helps strengthen your brain. Think about it, the more languages you know, the higher functioning your brain is, plus it helps strengthen your memory. Knowing an additional language is a skill that employers LOVE. Some employers specifically look for candidates who are capable of speaking additional languages. In the end if you know more languages it makes yourself more marketable. Needless to say, it is quite impressive when someone knows more than one language.

Taking the plunge into learning a new language can be difficult and challenging, but thankfully we live in the 21st century, Knowledge is right at our fingertips and learning new information and even a new language is just a click away. Here are some great ways to learn a new language or even brush up on a language you learned previously:

Take A Class. If you're still in high school or college, sign up to take a foreign language. Depending on what your school's requirements are, you may have already have to take one. If it's not a requirement, why not give it a try? Learning in a classroom style is one of the best ways to pick up a new language, especially if you have a great teacher. Even some universities offer online courses for foreign languages. If you're done with school and feel like it's too late to enroll in a foreign language class you're completely wrong! They're are plenty of alternatives, especially for free! Anki is a website that has a free computer program that allows helps with memorizing vocabulary words and so much more. It can help with learning a new language or even using it in your daily life! If you want more use Open Culture for an additional resource. It lists 48 different languages and various ways to learn them!

Rosetta Stone. If you want to teach yourself a new language but not be surrounded by a bunch of students but still have that classroom feeling, Rosetta Stone is a great option. Rosetta Stone is known as one of the best and probably the most famous language learning software. Over the years, it has gotten very user friendly. Before you had to purchase all the CD disks. Now you can purchase and download the software straight onto your computer, and even download an app for your phone! The only terrible thing about Rosetta Stone is the cost. But if you're willing to make the investment, it would be worth it!

Download An App. With today's technology, information is at our fingertips, literally. Our smartphones have an app for everything, especially learning a new language. Downloading an app is probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to learn a new language. Some apps may cost money, but have no fear, some of the best apps are 100% free! If you're looking for a fun way to learn a new language Duolingo is the best app out there. It is fun, interactive and almost like a game! Also, Mindsnacks is another great app that makes learning a new language into a fun game. But if you're looking for something a little more serious and structured apps like Busuu, Memrise, or TripLingo! However, lots of people are a fan of the app Babbel but I'm not a fan. When you download their "free" app, it looks like you have access to all their lessons. However, this is not the case. For each category you are only allowed one lesson, you must purchase a subscription if you want to access the other lessons. But if you're willing to invest in the lessons, then it might be worth it. Personally, I'll be sticking with Duolingo.

Flashcards. This method is really old school, but sometimes the old school methods just work best. Buy a English to Foreign Language dictionary and just go crazy! Make flashcards for important vocabulary words. And when it comes to learning conjugations, some bookstores sell books just to help you learn about the verbs and how to conjugate them. However, if you don't want to spend money on any books you can always use the internet. Looking up a word in a foreign language is so easy thanks to the internet. Plus websites like Verbix will conjugate a verb for you. Be careful with Google Translate though, most of the time their translations are not 100% accurate. Once you have access to the information, making the flashcards is super easy.

PRACTICE! It's cliche to say, but practice really does make perfect. Spend time on your app, read your vocabulary, take your lessons, all it takes it just a little bit of your time. Dedicate what you think works best for you. Whether it's five minutes or an hour, any practice is better than none. If you're dedicated and determined to master a foreign language, then you can do it! Nothing can hold you back!

Learning a new language can be fun but it can also be difficult. You'll make mistakes at first, but that's okay because you'll be able to learn from them. So what are you waiting for? Pick whichever method works best for you and let's get to it! Rome wasn't built in a day, but with a little time and practice you'll get better each and every day.

Until next time.

For those of you who have never heard of Play! by Sephora, it is beauty subscription service that includes five samples from high end brands that you know and love from Sephora as well as a bonus fragrance sample. So for $10 a month you get six samples plus some other perks from Sephora, like 50 bonus Beauty Insider Points and a free one-on-one tutorial with a Sephora Beauty Expert. Not a bad deal right?

The May Play! Box by Sephora highlighted some of the top products Sephora has to offer while also showcasing some new brands that are currently on the rise! Inside the Sephora Play! Box for the month of May were the following products:

• Tocca Stella Eau de Parfum
• Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask
• TrèStiQue Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent
• Belief Hungarian Water Essence
• Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
• Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone

Finding great quality hair products that are cruelty free and vegan can be hard to find. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But luckily, I know I can always count on my Sephora Play! Box to provide me with some great options. The Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask is a vegan and cruelty free hair mask that has a professional strength formula that gives great results. The mask is made with omega rich oils which provides your hair with shine and vibrancy all while treating damaged and dried out hair. After shampooing, apply the mask and leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes. The mask has a very earthy smell, you will either love it or hate it. Once your rinse the mask out and dry your hair you can already feel the change. It softens your hair and gives it a nice shine. The one problem with this product is that it is only available online.

Back in the day when I was a loyal ipsy customer, I became very familiar with the brand TrèStiQue. In fact I received the TrèStiQue Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent in an ipsy bag as well as this Sephora Play! Box. To be quite honest, I was surprised to see this brand on the Sephora website because years ago you would never have found this brand in stores. But today, I learned otherwise, in fact, my local Sephora carries some TrèStiQue products. The more you know! However, it still seems like a majority of their products are available only online. But I digress. When you first apply the highlight, it is unnoticeable due to its very light shade. But when the light shines on the highlight, you can really see the glow.

When it comes to the Belief Hungarian Water Essence, I'm not sure what to make of it. It's technically not classified as a moisturizer, instead it is an additional step to add before. But the sole purpose of the product is to hydrate and moisturize your face. In my personal opinion, it's just an unnecessary product and step, unless your moisturizer is not getting the job done. But at that point, you're probably better off finding a new moisturizer. But anyways, I digress. When applying the water essence it can feel a little sticky at first, which definitely can throw you off. But after you apply it, your skin hydrates and softens over time.

One product that I was truly intrigued by was the Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil. It's called an oil but it acts more like a cleanser which is very interesting. It lathers very well and gets very foamy. This cleansing oil is hydrating while it removes any dirt or leftover makeup from your day.

The last sample in the May Play! Box was the Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone. This lip pencil is very thick and applies very well. However, do not be fooled by the color of the Greystone shade that is displayed online. On the website it looks like a light nude, however when you look at it up close and personal and put it on, it is actually a really dark brown. The shade itself is dark and bold, a little too dark for my taste but it is one of those shades that is in style at the moment. The color lasts all day, the only downside is that it is not hydrating whatsoever, so your lips may feel a little dry at the end of the day.

Now for the June Play! Box, Sephora chose six different products that were perfect for summer time. Whether you're poolside, chilling on the beach or trying to survive the heat each product can help you no matter what situation you find yourself in! Inside the Sephora Play! Box for the month of June were the following products:

• BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum
• Verb Sea Spray
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
• Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30
• Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick
• Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer

Sometimes when it comes to fragrances the scents can end up smelling really fresh and great while other times the scents end up smelling like your grandmother's closet. Sad to say but the BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum is one of the few that needs to be locked away in your grandmother's closet. The scent is so strong and overpowering you can't get a clear idea what it is supposed to smell like. In fact to me, it smelled nothing like bamboo or a crystal. Instead it smells like rubbing alcohol. So for me, this fragrance is definitely a no go.

Dry shampoo is probably the greatest beauty invention of all time. Anything to help push back washing your hair an extra day and not have it feel greasy and gross is a lifesaver. Normally, I stick to the regular drugstore brands, like Batiste or Not Your Mother's for my dry shampoo necessities. But every once and a while I like to indulge and treat myself to a more luxurious brand. I would definitely say that the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk is a luxurious dry shampoo, it also helps that it is an award winning product. The dry shampoo freshens up your hair instantly and also makes it feel fresh and clean. The oat milk spray smells really good and that scent transfers over to your hair very well. Sure it may be on the expensive side compared to others but if you have the extra bit of cash to splurge, why not?

Setting spray is another beauty lifesaver. Without setting spray, your makeup won't look as fresh at the end of the day. However when it comes to the Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30, I have mixed feelings. First and foremost, I love how the setting spray contains SPF 30 in it for sun protection. However, when you're using the spray on your face it literally feels like you're spaying sunscreen on your face. For the first spray, it stinks and it stings. You need to close your eyes extremely hard otherwise they will burn. The first time you use the spray, it is absolutely the worst. You will smell like a skunk and your face will sting. If you're brave enough to try the spray again after the torturous first time, you'll feel slightly better. The smell goes away and the spray does not burn as much.

For the past couple of years liquid lipsticks have been all the rage. Every brand you can think of most likely has hopped on the bandwagon for this trend. In fact, one of the most popular liquid lipstick brands is Kat Von D. The Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick is a matte liquid lipstick. The shade, Lovesick, is a gorgeous pink nude that looks good on everyone. The liquid lipstick itself is very creamy and lasts for a very long time!

Primer is a makeup necessity, using a primer helps your foundation look smoother and last longer. There are also primers out there that do much more than just the bare minimum. Take a look at the Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer. Not only does it set your foundation, it also minimizes the presence of pores on your face. Luckily, I don't have too many problems with pores but this primer still does a good job setting my foundation and making my skin feel soft and smooth.

Overall the June Play! Box was all over the place. There were a lot of hits, and unfortunately a lot of misses. This was most likely the worst Play! Box I have received to date, which is why I'd give this box 3.5/5 stars. Which if you think about it, that's not so bad! The big hits in this box were the Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk and the Verb Sea Spray. On the other hand, the big misses in this box were the BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline Eau de Parfum and the Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30. I can't wait to see what the end of summer Play! Boxes have in store!

Until next time.

Shopping! Las Vegas actually has some of the best shopping experiences. On the strip, several hotels contain malls and various amount of luxury shopping opportunities. Caesar's Palace has the Forum Shops which includes popular retail shops like H&M (which is actually the largest in the world), Victoria's Secret, Sephora, and etc. The Forum Shops also has almost every high end luxury retailer you can dream of, like Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and many more. While Planet Hollywood has the Miracle Mile, which is filled with 200 different shops and restaurants. Also in Las Vegas, there are two outlet malls nearby, the South Premium Outlets and the North Premium Outlets. Both are very similar, however, the North Premium Outlets have more luxury stores like Burberry, BCBG, DVF, Tory Burch and more. While the South Premium Outlets have your standard shops like Kate Spade, Coach, Gap, Nike, and more.

Take Advantage of the Free Entertainment! If you want to catch some free entertainment plenty of hotels offer free little shows throughout the day. Some of the best complimentary hotel shows are: the Bellagio's spectacular fountain show, the circus performers at the Circus Circus, the Fall of Atlantis at Caesar's Palace, or even the Volcano at The Mirage. These shows are no longer than five minutes and are just some quick things to do and see. But if you have a little more time to spare and you're a huge TV fan, check out Television City at MGM Grand. It h is a television research center where you can sign up to test watch a TV pilot for some upcoming TV shows. All you have to do is watch the pilot they provide and complete a survey. It's fun and free activity to do! Plus they give you a little coupon book at the end as a thank you gift.

Chill By The Pool! During the summer time, Las Vegas can get scorching hot. Now while all the hotels are air conditioned, one of the best ways to stay cool is to relax by the pool. Some of the hotels in Vegas are known especially for their amazing pools. The Go Pool at the Flamingo has a big party atmosphere, but getting to relax in one of their Flamingo inner tubes is a real game changer. However, if that's not your scene the Flamingo has several other family pools filled with waterslides and lagoons. But hotels like Wynn Encore, the Mirage, MGM Grand, the Cosmopolitan, the Hard Rock Hotel and The Cromwell have some of the best and exclusive pool parties. But based on pools alone, Mandalay Bay has the best pool options out of all the other hotels. It's not even a pool. It's an actual beach filled with sand, a wave pool, and even a lazy river. At Mandalay Bay's beach it feels like you've been transported out of the Nevada desert and into a tropical paradise.

Be A Foodie! Las Vegas is home to buffets and five star restaurants. Getting a good meal in Las Vegas is never a problem. Chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, and Guy Savoy are some of the many famous celebrity chefs with their own restaurants in Sin City. But if exquisite dining is not your style or out of your price range, don't worry there are plenty of other affordable places to catch a bite to eat. Las Vegas is also home to some restaurants that can be hard to find based on where you live like Wahlburgers, In N Out or Shake Shack. If you want to get the full Las Vegas experience, then a buffet from is your best bet! Some buffets can be ridiculously overpriced, so do some research before and pick what works best for you!

Grab A Drink! If you are above the age of 21 and you didn't get an alcoholic beverage in Sin City, were you even there? Las Vegas is known for its cocktails. Each hotel bar and restaurant has their own signature and special cocktail. What's most popular is getting the frozen yard drinks from places like Fat Tuesday, which indeed are very delicious.

Catch A Show! Las Vegas may be known for all its hotels and casinos, but it is also known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World. If you're all about the theatre and big productions check out some of the musicals that are currently running or a famous/classic Las Vegas production, like the Blue Man Group or a Cirque du Soleil show. Or check out a magic show, you are in Vegas! Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, and Criss Angel are some of the many magicians that have residencies in Las Vegas. However, one of the most popular things to do is see a Las Vegas headliner show/concert. Tons of performers like Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and many more stars have residency shows in Vegas that perform almost daily.

Test Your Luck At The Casinos! One of the biggest draws to Las Vegas is the gambling. Every hotel has their own casino, and even the airport has their fair share of slot machines. In every hotel you'll find card tables, slot machines, live bingo and keno, and even sports books. Any way you want to gamble, there's definitely a way in Las Vegas. So if you're in Sin City, why not give it at try? Who knows, there's always some beginner's luck there!

If you're still having a hard time deciding what to do in the city of sin, have no fear. Websites like Groupon offer a variety of experiences at low prices. You can find just about any activity, tour, or even event tickets at a discounted rate. Especially in Las Vegas, Groupon offers some amazing experiences like tours to the Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon, club crawls, and even thrilling experiences like zip lining and ATV riding!

From the gambling and nightlife scenes to the extravagant shows and picturesque views, Las Vegas has a lot to offer those who visit this infamous city. With a city that has so much to offer, you'll have a fun and exciting time no matter what you decide to do.

Until next time.

An investment in a beauty subscription is the best way for beauty enthusiasts and newbies to get try new products before fully committing to purchasing the full size version of a product. It's a great way to save money while keeping up with the latest beauty trends. One of the best subscription boxes out there is Play! by Sephora.

For those of you who have never heard of Play! by Sephora, it is beauty subscription service that includes five samples from high end brands that you know and love from Sephora as well as a bonus fragrance sample. So for $10 a month you get six samples plus some other perks from Sephora, like 50 bonus Beauty Insider Points and a free one-on-one tutorial with a Sephora Beauty Expert. Not a bad deal right?

Now that you know all about Sephora's Play! Box, let's get to the good stuff. The boxes themselves and the samples inside! let's go all the way back to December 2016, and see what we got!

The main emphasis of the December Play! Box was on the products you would absolutely need to look your best for a fancy night out and end the year right. In the December Play! Box were the following samples:

• Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum
• Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot
• Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer
• Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
• Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
• Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

When it comes to fragrances, I'm a sucker for scents that are either very sweet or floral. So when I saw the sample from the Olsen twins brand: Elizabeth and James, I was intrigued. I have heard a lot of good things about the Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum, and I was impressed. It has a very sweet yet musky smell. The blend of vanilla bourbon and spice wood with a little pinch of a floral scent makes an interesting and edgy combination.

Drybar is known for their high end and luxurious products that gives any woman salon quality hair every time. Drybar has been on my Must Try list for years, so when I saw the Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot in my Play! Box, I was stoked. But sadly, my hopes were just way too high. The Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot is to be used after shampooing and it is suggested to use the entire bottle in one sitting. Which makes sense, because there is not enough spray in the bottle to use again. In fact, there's barely enough to use one time, especially if you have long and/or thick hair. The spray is also nothing like a spray, instead it is really creamy and it gets clogged in the applicator very easily. Plus, the creamy spray is really hard to spread throughout your hair, you literally need to spray it everywhere, if you can. Once you wash it out, your hair will feel rough for a bit bit it will get softer once it dries.

For any makeup enthusiast, primer is absolute must have product. But finding a primer that makes your makeup long lasting and soothe your face can be difficult to find. However, Make Up For Ever's Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer can do both very well. The primer's formula does a great job of balancing the texture of the skin by making it really smooth. Sine the formula spreads so well, you do not need to use a lot at one time. Take a little bit of primer and massage it onto to your face and your skin and will feel very hydrated and super soft. After that, apply your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer with no fear since the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer will support and strengthen it all day.

Finding an amazing mascara that can lengthen and thicken your lashes is similar to finding a needle in a haystack, extremely rare and can take a good amount of time to find. However, the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara comes pretty close to perfection. Even though it doesn't add a lot of length to your lashes, it does a great job defining your lashes while providing a creamy coat that does not clump or smudge even after coating your lashes multiple times.

Right now liquid lipsticks are all the rage. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Jeffrey Star have their own liquid lipstick brands that cost a lot of money and are constantly sold out. However beauty lovers are still obsessed with their products which in all honesty are not the best quality. But luckily, other brands like Sephora have created great quality liquid lipsticks at an affordable price. The Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain comes in every shade you could think or dream about. The consistency of the lip stain is very creamy and spreads very well, a little will go a long way. Plus it dries super fast so there are no worries about it smudging or fading away. The lip stain is hydrating and lasts all day. The shade Always Red is a classic bold and bright red, which every lady truly needs.

Whether you wear your make up for ten minutes or ten hours, setting spray is a must have! No one wants their makeup to smudge or fade right away, that's why setting spray was invented. A spray for your face that keeps your makeup in tact, that's genius. The Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is by far the best setting spray out there. Some setting sprays make you feel like you're spraying yourself with a water bottle, but Urban Decay's setting spray is a gentle mist that soothes your face and keeps your makeup in tact for a long period of time. The one and only problem with the setting spray is with the applicator. The button will occasionally get stuck, which makes it hard to spray. But other than that, this spray is absolutely magic.

The December Play! Box was full of amazing must have products for not only a night out on the town but for daily life. Whether it was for an office holiday party, a New Year soiree, or ringing in the New Year on the couch, these products had you covered. I'd give this box 4/5 stars. The real gems of the box were the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red and Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, while the biggest disappointment was the Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot. Now, let's see what January had to offer!

The January Play! Box really started the New Year off right. It contained products that were essential to giving your look a fresh feeling and brand new start. It really took the idea of new year, new you to a whole new level. In the January Play! Box were the following samples:

• Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Eau de Parfum
• Ouai Treatment Masque
• Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
• Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser
• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+

Romantic scents and fragrances are different for everyone, what could be romantic and sultry to one person could have the opposite effect on another. But when it comes to the Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Eau de Parfum it truly is the definition of romance, but not for the reason you're thinking. This scent is actually based off of the love story of Tory Burch's parents. Burch's father would write love notes to her mother and have them published in their local paper. The notes were signed Love, Relentless, and it was a secret for the two of them to share. Just the story alone is romantic. But when you smell the sweetness of the floral perfume, it honestly does smell like love. When you smell Love Relentlessly it feels like you're falling in love.

Whenever your hair needs a little pick me up, a good deep conditioner or hair mask always does the trick. I'm a big fan of hair masks so I was excited to try the Ouai Treatment Masque! The mask itself smells really good, and that nice fresh smell transfers right to you hair while making it silky and smooth. If you have damaged hair, this mask will be your best friend because it really does revitalize and strengthen your hair. The only problem with the hair mask is that you do not get enough, especially in the sample size. My half ounce bottle was not enough and I really wanted and needed more!

If you want to try out an award winning moisturizer, then you need to check out the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream. In 2016, it won the Allure Best of Beauty award and it is easy to see why! The cream is extremely hydrating and moisturizing, it's perfect for dry and fine skin. Plus it smells really good! What's also so great about the brand, Drunk Elephant is that they are a cruelty free brand that supports the International Elephant Foundation. A great quality product from a great quality brand, can you ask for anything better?

If you're looking for a lipstick that gives no color or tint to your lips then Clinique's "Almost Lipstick" is what you're looking for. In all honesty, "almost lipstick" is just a clever name to give to a sheer lipstick. But really, who would honestly buy a sheer lipstick? Isn't the point of lipstick to add some color to your lips? The only thing the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has going for it is that it is hydrating and moisturizing. This product is basically an overpriced "tinted" balm.

Most face washes or cleansers are not necessarily very travel friendly or convenient to use. They can be bulky or even leak through the top lid. I can't tell you how many times I have had some of my beauty products leak all over my toiletry bag while traveling. It is an annoying circumstance to say the least. So when I find products that are perfect for traveling, I get excited. My latest discovery came from this Play! Box, the Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser! The cleanser comes in a little stick, which is very similar to a glue stick. It's very easy to apply, all you have to do is apply it directly on your skin in circular motions. This cleanser is gel that is also good for all face types and it can even be used as mask too. The cleansing stick is only one ounce, so you can take it anywhere! From traveling on an airplane or to the gym for your post workout shower, this little cleanser is the perfect when you're on the go.

On the days when you don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup, a CC cream or tinted moisturizer can be your life saver! It gives your face the coverage it needs with little to no work. One of the best CC creams out there is the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+. CC cream stands for color correcting and this cream provides a full and flawless coverage while protecting your skin with SPF 50. It is also very soothing on your face. There are five different shades for this CC cream, and each shade is adaptable and true to its tone.

Overall, the January Play! Box was a smashing hit, filled with a variety of great quality products to start the New Year off right. I'd give it 4/5 stars, the major hits of the Play! Box were the Tarte FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+, and the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream. The only miss was the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, which was a major thumbs down. This Play! Box would have scorn higher but that "lipstick" really brought down the overall value of the box.

But on the bright side, I know whenever I get my Play! Box from Sephora, there will be some amazing products to test out! In fact, February and March's boxes are already looking promising, be on the lookout for that upcoming review!

Until next time.