11 of 2011

#01. iPad 2

I received my Ipad 2 for my birthday this year and by far it is the best thing I've ever been given.  When the first Ipad came out I thought it was interesting but not mind blowing. As the Ipad gained popularity and more features  I feel in love. I use my Ipad for millions of things. I take it grocery shopping, I watch movies on it, I shop on it, and I do anything I would do on my computer on it. I basically use my Ipad for everything besides blogging. 

Here are few Apps I'm loving right now 

Notability- $0.99

Since I've been using my iPad so much I have noticed that I sometimes need to write things down. I love this app because I can quickly jot down notes as I think of them. 

iBooks- Free

 Please don't judge my selection of books. I haven't had time to sit down and read lately so I have tons of previews of books. 

Vevo-Free

Vevo is awesome since all the cool music videos have been taken off of Youtube. 

ABC-Free

This app saves me when I'm stuck getting my oil changed or at doctors appointments. 

Sephora- Free

This app  makes me love Sephora more than I already do. They have this really cool feature called The Virtual Beauty Studio. This app puts your face with a video that teaches you how to do different make up skills. That way you can prop up your iPad and do your make up as you watch the video. 

11 of 2011

#02. The Weeknd 

When I sat down to make this list I knew I would feature The Weeknd. I even knew he would be extremely high on the list. What I didn't know was how people would feel about him being number 2. I could talk about The Weeknd for hours because he is just that amazing but I will just let you see for yourself. 

The Weeknd- Wicked Games

The Weeknd- High For This 

The Weeknd-Loft Music 

And because I love The Weeknd and you guys I have a present for you! 

Here is a copy of his first mixtape House of Balloons. 

Click the picture and be amazed! 

11 of 2011

#03 Pinterest

It should be no surprise  that Pinterest is on my list. Pinterest is by far one of my favorite things this year. I feel so lucky to have heard about it. When I get home from work I put on my sweatpants and then get on Pinterest. Yes, I pin before Facebook! 

I decided to feature my favorite things on each of my pin boards. 

Thanksgiving

I don't have many things on this board but I did use several of them during Thanksgiving.

Source

These are Cheesy Winter Squash Muffins. I loved them, however when I make them again I think I will add some red pepper flakes. 

For the Classroom

For my real job I am a First Grade teacher. This pin board has made my classroom run more smoothly and more engaging. 

source

If you are a teacher listen up! This is a simple way to keep up with your kids reading levels. I truly truly love this! 

My Heart Belongs To The...

Of course my heart belongs to fashion! It was extremely hard for me to pick a "favorite" pin but I did find something. 

source

I picked this because I just die for a good pair of jeans and a perfect ruffle neck shirt. 

There's a Party in My Tummy 

My heart beats for fashion but I breath for food. This pin board is filled with things that I'm sure I will never make but I love to look at. 

source

This is a perfect example of why I love Pinterest. You can learn so many tips and tricks. 

Face and Nails

source

I haven't had a chance to try this yet but it seems like a great thing to try! 

Happy Things 

On this board I pin things that make me smile. 

source

There is no need for words.

It's My Party 

This board is dedicated to anything related to throwing a party. 

source

Great idea! Put a marble at the bottom of a balloon before you add the helium and they will hang upside down. 

Come Fly With Me 

I honestly do not  pin many things on this board. This board is for places I would like to visit. 

source

Paris 

Sayings To Say 

This board is dedicated to anything I need to remind myself to do or say. 

source

Preppy, Polo's and Pearls 

This is probably my most popular pin board. This board features anything related to "preppy" fashion. 

source

I love this poster because I've always be fascinated with the "preppy" style.  

In the Home

This pin board features things I would love to see in my home one day.

Source

I think this reading nook is really unique.  I would love something like this in a playroom when I have children. 

One Day

Speaking of children. This pin board has anything and everything I love but don't need at this point in my life. It's basically a wedding and baby board. 

source

I love this brooch bouquet it's so classic and chic. 

Trying it Once Can't Hurt 

This board features things I would like to try or make. 

source

Hopefully during the Christmas break I really hope I get to make this bracelet. 

11 of 2011

#04. Dubstep Went Mainstream 

I am well aware that Dubstep is not a "new thing" but before 2011 it was pretty much an underground thing. I became familiar with Dubstep while watching a British television show called Skins a few years ago. 

This is an example of what Dubstep sounds like 

(Excision and Datsik - Guess I Got My Swagger Back)

Traditional Dubstep is not for everyone but back in 2009 Britney Spears brought Dubstep to Pop music. 

(Freakshow- Britney Spears )

Here are a few songs from 2011 that feature Dubstep 

(Red lipstick- Rihanna)

(Dub on the Track- Cher Lloyd)

And the most popular mainstream use of Dubstep

(Who Gone Stop Me- Jay-Z and Kanye West)

And the best thing about Dubstep it can take a song I hated and make me love it! 

11 of 2011

#05. Rihanna

Rihanna didn't do anything particularly amazing this year, however she just looked so damn good! Rihanna is the kind of celebrity that can get an outfit completely wrong but she always looks so flawless in it. She is just so pretty! 

11 of 2011

# 06. Lace 

I refuse to call lace a trend. I rather say lace is a staple item that everyone should have in their closet. I am featuring lace this year because I absolutely love the way white lace looked in every season this year.

Summer

source

Spring 

source 

 source

Fall

source 

Winter 

Source 

11 of 2011

#07. Gold 

If I were to run into myself six years ago the first thing six years younger me would notice would be the amount of gold I wear now. I during high school and early college I vowed to never wear gold because it was for moms. Well this year gold came back in a major way! At this point I don't think I will ever stop wearing gold. 

Spoken about in a previous post 

source

 source

source 

11 of 2011

#08. Animal Print 

For literally my entire life I have HATED animal print until 2011. Animal print was done in such a tasteful way this year that I completely fell in love with it. 

source 

source

source

source

11 of 2011

#09. Primer 

I have been using primer on my eyes for as long as I can remember however I never really thought about primer for my face. Around Christmas a few years ago I tried Make Up For Ever's HD Primer in Neutral but I never bought it. Recently I tried Make Up For Ever's Green primer which minimizes redness (something I don't really have). I decided to by the Make Up For Ever HD Primer in Caramel (which is recommended for women of color).  

Make Up For Ever has several options. Some of you may be freaking out about the price but wait... it gets better! I use much less liquid foundation now because the primer settles in smooth and satin like giving your foundation more surface to spread on. 

11 of 2011

#10. Glitter

Glitter was everywhere this year and I loved it! 

 I recently purchased this belt at J. Crew and I cannot wait to pair it with something simple. 

Earlier this year I purchased a pair of glitter Toms and I still love them. 

11 of 2011

I decided I would do a countdown of 11 things I loved in 2011. 

#11. Frank Ocean 

Back in May a friend of mine told me about an artist she had be listening to named Frank Ocean. I quickly downloaded anything I could find by him and fell in love! If you are already aware of Frank here are some songs for you to enjoy and if you're not then please give him a listen. 

Thinking About You (The original version is the only version worth listening to if you ask me.) 

Swim Good 

Novocain

Nature Feels 

Frank Ocean was also featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West' Watch The Throne Album.