My last year of high school--freedom at last. No more testing, no more taking the bus, no more stuffing things into my locker, no more anything. It's a bittersweet thing to say and I'm trying to take in every moment of my Senior year. Normally, Seniors have very laid back schedules and get to take all the fun classes and get off-campus during their lunches at my school. All of this "Senioritis" (a faux disease that drains all of the effort in Seniors near the end of the school year) fades away in a snap and the next thing you know, you're at college. So, I thought I would share with you guys some things I personally think are important to remember during your last year at high school.

1) Be Involved While You Still Can 

Even if you live over seas and don't have "high school", we all eventually graduate from school and time really does fly by. Maybe at the last minute you decide to join a club you never really got to go to or you weren't really interested in going to Homecoming this year because it was "so boring" the other years. It's important to just go do these things because you only go through high school once (well, a majority of us do at least). 

2) Make The Most With Your High School Friends

It may seem pretty sad but, many of us will go to college and pursue our dreams really far away from home. With that being said, making the most of the moments you have with your childhood/high school friends is really important.

I have friends who plan on moving all the way across the country and it is really sad to say that I probably will never see them again. Texting and Facebook can only help so much in these situations.

3) Enjoy Time With Family

Besides the home cooked meals and clean laundry, your "familia" won't be around much while you're at college. You'll probably be up late at night calling your parents because you just got homesick, and that's okay! Our parents do so much for us (like pay for us to go to college) and it's only necessary to instead of go out and party or hide away in your room, to talk to them and spend time with them when you can. Your parents will always be there for you but, you will find that college teaches you a lot about living on your own.

4) Don't Worry About Where Your Friends Are Going

I know it's hard not to feel pressured about what and where your friends are doing and sometimes it gets the best of me, too. Not everyone is going into the same major, has the same financial reasons, or personal reasons to all go to the same college together. I know that it can be hard to not compare yourself to someone who might be going to a bigger college than you. All you need to focus on is what you want to accomplish and achieve in college, not what you're friends want to accomplish or achieve. Find your passion and stick with it! 

5) Enjoy High School While It Lasts

I have heard the endless, "What are your post high school plans?", "Where are you going to college?", EVERYTHING. The more I hear, the closer it is to making an actual decision about college and my future. It's the real world after high school and I'll have to start functioning like an adult. Scary, I know. All I can do now is take in the moments I have left and that's something we, Seniors, forget as we start to fill out applications and get important fees and documents turned in on time. 

I can't speak for everyone, obviously because not everyone goes to high school but, I hope this helped anyone who is graduating this year and knows that they aren't alone! I am terrified and excited about what's to come after high school and college will be another huge journey that I will take on through my blog. This is just the beginning of the end--and I can't wait. 

Xoxo, Nat

*Photo album and notebook courtesy of my dear friend, Ellaby, for my birthday. Thanks so much <3

It's that time of year again--my birthday! And with that, comes loads of promotional birthday treats and goodie goodie gumdrops from my favorite stores. My birthday was on the 22nd and I wanted to spend time with family but, I thought I would share with you guys what Sephora has in store for you all during your birthday month. 

Personally, the only reason I'm on the Beauty Insider rewards program at Sephora is for the free stuff. That's basically what the purpose is for the card but, you have to spend X amount of money to get more money if you know what I mean. I think I look like a fool when I go up to the register and just ask for my birthday gift but, then I'm like, "Who cares--it's my birthday!". 

Anyway, Sephora usually changes the gift that the Insiders receive. Normally, you can choose either a mini makeup kit or skincare kit of two samples. This year I chose the sample sizes of the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and the Fresh Rose Face Mask instead of a sample size Marc Jacobs Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner and a Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; simply because I own enough black eyeliners and pink doesn't really look good on me! I felt like trying some new skincare products from Fresh and I was pleasantly surprised. 

The two products came in really cute packaging that specifically states it's a birthday gift. You have to be a rewards member (super easy to sign up) and all you do is tell them your email and chose which gift you want--no purchase necessary!

I was really excited that the products were from Fresh. I have heard so many great things about the brand and was really impressed with the way the Soy Cleanser cleaned off all of my eye makeup. The description says that it's for all skin types and it left my skin feeling really smooth and not dried out. The one thing that I didn't really care for was the subtle, nutty smell. Soy doesn't smell great anyway but, it's just something I thought to include in the post. 

I was very surprised that they added a sample of a face mask and was very excited to try it out. I only had enough to use one time and it was probably the best face mask I have used next to the Lush ones I have used in the past. Speaking of Lush, this mask did not resemble or feel as "fresh" as the Lush ones are. However, it did feel very nice on my skin and also toned it and left it very oil free. I woke up the next day and did not feel like I had to wipe off any excess oil that usually forms around my T zone. The rose scent was great but, a little artificial-like to me. I like that they included real rose petals into it, though. 

If you're like me and are obsessed with mascara and all things eyes then you're in for a treat! I have my top 4 favorite high end (with the exception of one) mascaras that are amazing and really create fuller and longer looking lashes. 

I am always sad when I have to say goodbye to a really great mascara. When I buy a really nice mascara from Sephora and it gets to the point that I'm questioning if I should just keep it or toss it, it's probably a good time to just buy a new one. I know I'm going to keep buying new mascaras so I thought I could share you the four that I love and will mostly likely finish (a couple) within the next week or so. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara- This mascara has been around on my blog for a while and unfortunately it will have to leave my collection soon due to it being old and dried out. It is an amazing mascara and I used it so much after I first opened it. It did wing out my lashes and resembled false lashes which really surprised me! I might have to buy another it was so good.

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara- Last but, not least, this mascara has been my holy grail mascara. It photographs so well and to be honest, who doesn't want that? My lashes look 10 times bigger and there's no flakiness or clumping. This was a newer find and I'm really impressed with Smashbox's eye makeup range lately. 

Hopefully soon I will discover more, great mascaras because it's not sanitary to hold on to old (but, amazing) mascaras. Are there any mascaras I should try next?