New Video Live on my Channel!

Hi guys! I just uploaded a new video to my channel! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Don't forget to subscribe!!

youtube.com/miriamcpratt
<3 Miriam

Sunday Thrifting!

Hey guys! So yesterday the hubs and I had what I call a Sunday Funday! We had lunch, stopped for some frozen yogurt, then did some shopping! We headed to our favorite thrifting spots on South Street (Philadelphia) along the way!

 Had to stop at Berry Sweet and grab a Birthday Cake frozen yogurt with some brownie bites and chocolate sauce ;D

Then off to Retrospect - my favorite spot for vintage clothing, household items, and accessories at a great price.  Then no thrifting day would be complete without a visit to Philly AIDS Thrift -- probably the best thrift store in Philadelphia!

And the greatest thing I have ever found!! A CAT PILLOW

I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!!
<3 Miriam

New YouTube video up!

Hey guys! I have my very first YouTube video on my channel! Please check it out, subscribe, and leave a comment! It was so much fun and I can't wait to make more videos!!

Always curious to know what other girls carry in their purse? Check out my first video where I share the contents of my bag at: youtube.com/miriamcpratt

Thank you so much for all your support!!

<3 Miriam

Winter 2014 Lookbook

Hey readers! Here's something new: a Winter 2014 lookbook! Even though winter is quickly coming to a close.... I'm sorry I'm late with things! Photos by the amazing Natalia Casademont @myspacefamous (IG) Enjoy :)

Look #1:

Black turtle neck: Eternity Fashions

Skirt: thrifted

Brown oxfords: H&M

Necklace: H&M

Purse: Laila Rowe

Look #2:

Black shirt: H&M

Red plaid shirt: thrifted

Brown combat boots: Barefeet Shoes

Look #3:

Black lace dress: H&M

Fuzzy black jacket: H&M

Pink bow flats: Primark

Gold fox belt: boutique in Salem, MA

Snakeskin clutch: H&M

Hope I inspired some outfits out there!! Thanks for reading :)

<3 Miriam

My Top 5 Favorite Lipsticks!

Hello there readers!! Today will be a simple yet very important topic: LIPSTICKS.  I have developed a recent obsession with these things (you'd think that I had like 12 sets of lips in order to wear them all lol).  It was a very difficult process, but I have come up with my top 5 lipsticks, and here they are in no particular order (except for #1 because that's legit my favorite one):

5:Kate by Rimmel in #101: Pinky nude shade that works great for everyday wear and even with a more dramatic smokey eye.

4: Deborah Milano Atomic Red matte lipstick: beautiful bright red matte color that is perfect for special nights out, especially in the fall and winter time.

3: Wet n Wild in #511B: I could have sworn this color was called like Fuschia something or the other, but apparently not.  It's a few years old, but it's a bright fuschia color that I love using in the summer and spring, but I will definitely still wear it all year round :)

2: Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Deepest Cherry: this is a beautiful dark cherry/wine color that I love for the fall.  I basically wore it everyday a few years ago around Oct/Nov/Dec and I think it looks beautiful against lighter skin tones.

1: EM Cosmetics lipstick in Violaceous: If any of you guys read my blog, you will know this is my favorite lip color!! It is so creamy and so moisturizing, it feels so luxurious when you apply it.  The color is perfect, it's like a lilac/purple shade.  I received it in my Ipsy bag a few months ago and let me tell you, I wasn't too sure about it at first.  I had never tried any plums or purples on my lips before, but I am now a lilac lover!!

I hope I have inspired you to try these colors or something similar! It's always great to try things outside of your comfort zone -- you will never find products you love if you don't (ok and maybe products you hate)!!.

Side note.... I am starting YouTube videos soon.  Let me know what you think and what kind of video you'd like to see!

Thanks for reading!!
<3 Miriam

PS: If you're interested.. my makeup bag is from VS PINK. I got it at the Semi Annual Sale last month :)

Soft & Romantic Valentine's Day Makeup

Hi readers!! So of course Valentine's day is around the corner! I know I will be going all out with my makeup when I go out with the hubs that night :)! Today I was playing around with makeup, trying to come up with a good look that I can share with you guys.  I'm obsessed with purples and lilacs at the moment so I decided to go with that.  Keep reading if you want to achieve this beautiful and soft look for Valentine's day (or any other day!).

1: First moisturize and prime.  I used Maybelline's Baby Skin (of course) and applied all over with a foundation brush.

2: Next comes foundation.  I used my Rimmel Stay Matte foundation and applied with my Real Techniques stippling brush.

3: Conceal and highlight under eyes with a good concealer.  I used the Rimmel Match Perfection underneath my eyes and the Physician's Formula Perfecting Concealer Duo for any blemishes.

4: Now the finish: apply a good face powder anywhere you applied concealer to seal it all in.  I used NYX's Radiant Finishing Powder (LOVE btw!).

5: Can't forget the brows people! Define your brows with anything you like to use... I used my e.l.f. eyebrow kit.

6: Prime your lids.  I used my e.l.f. eyelid primer all over lids and crease.

7: Ok now for the eyes. For this look, I used my Too Faced In Your Dreams palette.  First, I applied Pink Peacock all over my lid (or any light shimmery pink will work of course) with a flat shader brush.  Next, apply a dark purple to the crease (I used Dream On) with a fluffy crease brush.  Then, a dark grey to the outer V of your eyelid (I used Fishnet) using a small accent brush.  Keep blending! Blending is the most important step!

8: Now line the top of your lash line with a black cream liner and add a little flick at the outer corner (I used my e.l.f. cream liner).  Line your waterline with a brown pencil liner (like the NYX eyebrow and eyeliner pencil in Medium Brown) and then using an angled brush, apply a brown shimmery eyeshadow underneath your lash line (I used Rapture) to smoke it out.

9: Mascara time! I used my Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant mascara, but of course any kind will work.  You can also apply false lashes here too (I might do that on Valentine's day).

10: Now for the cheeks.  Use a good bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, under the jaw line, and up to the top of your forehead.  Next, apply a highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones (like NYX's Liquid Illuminator). Then, last but not least, a pink blush to the apples and blend out to your hairline (NYX's Baked Blush in Spanish Rose).

11: Now for the best part! Lipstick! I used my all-time favorite lipstick here... EM Cosmetic's lipstick in Violaceous.  It is the most beautiful lilac color and I am obsessed.

There ya go! Don't you look pretty? I'd love to know if anyone tried this look and how it worked out for you! Thanks for reading :)

<3 Miriam

Products used:

My Flawless Face Essentials!

Hello readers!!! So I thought I'd share an important part of my beauty routine -- how to get that perfect complexion! Here are my flawless face essentials:

1: First and foremost, it is always important to start with a good daily moisturizer.  There's nothing more annoying than applying makeup to a dry face.  It's just not pretty!! Every morning, I use my Genove Fluidbase moisturizer for Normal skin.  There is also a version available for dry and combo skin.  This is by far the BEST moisturizer I have ever used.... it is so delicate, which is something I look for because I have very sensitive skin.  Check out the whole Genove line here: http://www.genoveusa.com/~shop/main.html

2: Before applying foundation, it is imperative to use a good primer.  Lately, I've been using the Maybelline Baby Skin pore eraser.  Primers are great for minimizing pores, keeping your foundation in place all day, and allowing any makeup to adhere to skin more smoothly.

3: As many of you know, I am now obsessed with the Rimmel Stay Matte foundation.  Using a good foundation that will minimize any shine is important for a flawless look!

4: Next, I use my Rimmel Match Perfection concealer under the eyes.  If you read my blog, you know that this is great for accentuating the area under your eyes and getting rid of those pesky dark circles.  You also need a great concealer for any blemishes.  I get a lot of redness around my cheeks due to old pimples (mine take FOREVER to disappear) so I like to use my Physician's Formula dual tone concealer.  Any concealer that comes with that green color is great for getting rid of any redness and coloration when used UNDERNEATH the skin tone concealer.

5: Now it's time for powder.  Powder is so important to any makeup look -- it keeps everything in place!! I like to carry around a spare compact just in case I need to blot during the day!

That's all for now lovelies! Thanks for reading!! Leave a comment and let me know what you think :)

<3 Miriam

My Nighttime Routine!

Hey guys! Thought I would share my nightly routine with you! It's extremely exciting I know lol.  Anyways here goes!

1: Every night I literally look forward to taking a shower before jumping into bed.  I always use my Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep body wash. It smells like lavender and vanilla and it's so calming and the smell just reminds me of sleep and getting into bed!

2: After a shower, whenever my lips are really dry (especially now in the winter) I like to use my e.l.f. lip exfoliator.  It leaves my lips feeling so soft and it gets rid of all that dry skin.

3: Next I use my No.7 lash serum.  It says to use every night and eight weeks later, your lashes will be thicker and longer.  I've only used it for a few weeks, but I guess I will find out.  I'll of course by posting my review on here with some before and after shots.

4: Next is my Genove Fluidbase Retinol face cream.  I use this every night to fight against wrinkles (I don't have any yet, but it's good to start early!) and I am OBSESSED. It leaves my skin so soft and it really brightens up my skin.  If you want to check out the Genove skin care line, visit: http://www.genoveusa.com/Products.html you will LOVE it!!!

5: Next is my Julep hand exfoliator.  Just like the lip exfoliator, it's great to use in the winter (and smells really good)!

6: I always moisturize every night and especially at this time of the year, I go to a thicker body butter formula.  My favorites are the Bath and Body Works body butters, here I have my Japanese Cherry Blossom one.

7: Last but not least, if I washed my hair, I always put a bit of my Garnier Moroccan oil in my damp hair and then blowdry.  I am so attached to it that now I legit can't wash my hair without using it!

There's my routine! I hope you enjoyed :) Please leave me a comment if you liked it!!! Thanks for reading!

<3 Miriam

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer & Stay Matte Foundation Review

Hey guys I'm back!!! After a long and tedious revamping of my blog I finally like how it looks!! Anyways.... on to the review:

So I recently picked up two products that I have been dying to try: the Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation and the Rimmel Match Perfection concealer.  I figured that since I am obsessed with the Stay Matte powder I should give the foundation a try.  Let's just say it is PERFECT.  Right when you start applying, you can tell that it is going to give you full coverage and keep any shininess away.  My only problem is that I think I bought it in the wrong shade (stupid of me lol), it was a bit too light but not too much since it still worked.  I recently did a lookbook photoshoot (which will be up soon after editing... I'm really excited!) and I used this foundation because I knew I wanted good coverage.  So basically, I give it a 10/10.

Next is the Rimmel Match Perfection concealer.  I love this product.  The shade is perfect and it gave my eyes a bit of a glow.  I really only used it under my eyes to brighten the area (because I love my Physician's Formula color correction concealer duo for hiding blemishes). It was super easy to apply - it has one of those brush tips that load the concealer and then you just apply to your face.  I also give this a 10/10.

Ok random thought. Are any of you guys Ipsy subscribers? For my January bag, I received the Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow pencil and I'm pretty sure it gave me a rash around my eyelids and crease.  Did anyone experience this??? It was kind of scary lol and I don't know, it may not have even been because of this product (maybe something else??). Ah well!

Thanks for reading <3
Miriam