Real Techniques Brushes

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to talk about some makeup brushes that I feel not enough people are using or talking about in America.  Real Techniques brushes are sold at Ulta and were created by YouTube sisters, Nic and Sam Chapman.  I watch a ton of "beauty gurus" on YouTube, many of which are from the UK, and I was introduced to these amazing brushes.  I wanted to spread the word to us in the States because they are such a good value for money.  You can also use Ulta's $3.50 coupon off your purchase of $10.00 or more on all of these brushes!  Please read below for a mini review of the brushes:

All of the Real Techniques brushes I own!

Real Techniques Travel Essentials - $17.99
I could have sworn I bought these all in the same set, but I must have bought the Powder Brush separately.  It retails for $9.99 at Ulta.  I use the blush and powder brush everyday and the eye shadow brush every time I wear eye shadow.  I honestly have never used the foundation brush, but only because I prefer a buffing brush to a paint brush style.

Real Techniques Bold Metals 301 Flat Contour Brush - $25.99
This is my newest brush from the brand and is a part of their new Bold Metals Collection.  I have been on the hunt for a contour brush, and I am glad I held out because this has been great so far and priced much lower than similar brushes.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - $8.99
This brush is probably the most hyped brush that Real Techniques has on the market, and I would have to agree.  I use this brush a ton in rotation with my other foundation brushes which cost over 3 times what this cost.  If you are looking for a buffing brush that works, cleans easily, and lasts, then this is the perfect brush for you!

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - $9.99
In need of a cream blush brush?  Well this is your girl!  Applies all cream blush perfectly, and again is a great price especially for a brush I do not use on a regular basis.

Real Techniques Due Fiber Collection - $19.99
The brushes in this collection are my least used, not because they are terrible, I just never find myself reaching for them because another brush is better.  This is not something I would recommend buying if you do not have a need for this type of brush.

Do you use Real Techniques brushes?  What are some of  your favorite brushes they sell?  Let me know in the comments below! :)

- Courtney

The Selection Series: Book Review

Hello Everyone!

This past week instead of blogging I was reading my life away!  I was recommended The Selection Series by two of my friends, and I finally gave it a go.  I was not disappointed as I read all three books in the week, and read the last book just this past Sunday! Who needs 8 hours of sleep for Monday?  Since these books really entertained me, I thought why not give you all a little series review.

The Selection
The selection series is set in a dystopian future taking place in North America.  The land is known as the Kingdom of Illea and similar to the Hunger Games and Divergent, as there are 35 provinces that make up this kingdom.  On top of the 35 provinces, there is a caste system in place ranging from One to Eight; One being the royal family, and 8 being homeless people in the streets.  The story centers around, America Singer, who is a Five (Fives are artists and musicians) and involved in a secret relationship with, Aspen Leger, a Six (servants and housekeepers).  They have had quite the romance in the past 2 years, but something has come up that may change everything they have together…The Selection.  The Selection is when the Prince of Illea comes of age and chooses a wife out of 35 girls representing their provinces.  America is repulsed by this idea, as she is completely smitten with Aspen, but he along with her family encourage her to enter.  Low and behold she ends up being selected and is whisked away to the kingdom to compete for Prince Maxon's heart.  Although she has no interest in winning over the Prince, she soon finds that maybe her life as it was really wasn't what she had thought.

The Elite
Book Two centers around The Elite, which is the final group of girls remaining in the competition.  Having changed her mind about Maxon, America is trying her best to see a future for them, but gets off track with Aspen now serving as a guard at the palace.  She along with the final 5 girls deal with much more than fighting for Maxon's love and the crown.  The palace is under attack multiple times by Northern and Southern rebels, and America is trying to figure out what exactly is causing all of this turmoil.  She starts making some discoveries that again change her view on the Kingdom of Illea, but spark her to attempt to make some changes and be the voice of the people.

The One
The final book in the series still centers around The Elite and their quest for Maxon, but the attacks and downfall of the Kingdom become much more prominent.  America has found a voice, but she is not sure she wants this role.  She continues her struggle with her feeling toward Maxon and how she could possibly fill the shoes of a princess.  In the end, who will she choose?

I highly recommend this series for any ladies out there, who love a bit of romance, but also a strong female character.  These are the perfect books for a lazy weekend or beach read.  Apparently there is a fourth book coming out soon about Prince Maxon's daughter and her time with the selection. It will be released on May 5th, so stay tuned!

- Courtney

Throwback Thursday: Milwaukee Trip 2012!

Hello Everyone!

Three years ago this March, Jon and I took a little weekend getaway to Milwaukee.  This was our first ever trip alone together, and it was a very meaningful experience for us.  We spent our first day touring Lakefront Brewery.  I would highly recommend this to anyone (even non beer drinkers like myself).  The tour is $7.00 and you get 4 full sized beers and a pint glass to take home.  Later on in the evening we were walking around and stumbled upon a restaurant called, The Pasta Tree.  We shared a lasagna and then I demolished the BEST carrot cake I have ever tried.  I cannot wait to visit again just for that decadence!  After dinner we returned to our hotel and chilled out with some vino.  The next day we checked out and headed for some fun at the Milwaukee Zoo.  I hadn't been to a zoo since 8th grade, so it was fun to explore and see all of the animals.  After the zoo, we headed over to the Harley Davidson Museum.  I personally could care less about motorcycles, but it was neat to see how they have evolved over the years.  We perused around their gift shop, then headed home.  Very quick and simple trip, but such an amazing memory, so enjoy our photos.

- Courtney

Brookie Recipe and NYE Recap

Hello Everyone!

Piggybacking on Monday's post about my New Year's goals, I thought I would share the tasty treat I made for the big night (thanks to Lily Pebbles) and a little recap of what I got up to!  

You may be asking yourself, "What is a Brookie?"  That is a great question, and the answer is a combination of a brownie and a cookie.  After watching Lily Pebble's make these pretty much everyday during Vlogmas, I thought I would test them out for the party.  I am not a big brownie lover, but my thought was these would be more of a chocolate cookie....and they were! Brookies are very light on the tummy, gooey, and delicious!  I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a new party treat.  Just be mindful this recipe does require your hands to get pretty messy, so be prepared!

Now onto the NYE Party!  I went to a friend's lake house with Jon and his cousin and spent the evening playing fun games (Cards Against Humanity and Catch Phrase), sipping on some good drinks, and digging in to some scrumptious food!  I was so happy to be surrounded by such a fun group of people while having such a relaxing, but STILL fun evening.

Ingredients:
¾ cup baking cocoa powder
1 ¾ cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¼ cup plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
½ cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

Step 1: 
In a medium bowl, mix together the cocoa, sugar and vegetable oil

Step 2:
Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla

Step 3:
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture.

Step 4:
Cover the dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.  (You do not need 4 hours, so if you're in a rush, no worries!)

Step 5:
Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking trays with parchment. Pour powdered sugar onto a plate and using a metal tablespoon, spoon and roll mixture into small balls coating each one with the powdered sugar before placing onto prepared trays.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Brookies Completed! :)

View of the lake

Quite the shot!

We all left a little note and thank you in the guest book to document our evening.

How was your NYE?  Let me know what you go up to in the comments below!  Did you make any yummy treats or dishes?  

- Courtney

New Year's Goals 2015

Hello Everyone!

Since it is the first full week of the New Year, I wanted to take a moment and share with you my goals for 2015:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I'm sure this is on everyone's list, but I would like to make it a goal to exercise 4-5 times a week for at least 30 minutes, eat regular healthy meals (cheat days sometimes!), and continue to have a good work life balance.

Buy a home.

In the next 6 months I plan to purchase my first home with Jonny.  We are very excited to start this next chapter of our lives, and I plan to share much of this with you here, so stay tuned! :)

Improve my blog.

I am very happy with how my blog has blossomed over the past 8 months, but I would like to continue to make it better.  My biggest goal is to improve my photo quality, so I may look into a new camera, or I may just try to devote more time to taking pictures for my blog.  With this being said, any suggestions or post ideas you would like to see for Locococobean this year?

Strengthen existing and new relationships in my life.

This year I have made a ton of new friends, but also maintained my friendships with my old peeps.  I would like to go on more trips, night's out, and catch up more regularly with all those in my life.

Continue to be creative.

Creativity is not something I struggle with, but I would like to make a bigger effort this year to express it.  Whether it be a DIY project or just planning a "cool" outfit, I would like to focus more on projects and follow through with them.

Try more things.

I am not one who is afraid to try new things, but I would like to try EVEN MORE things this year. Some of which are: Golf, Join a Summer Tennis league, Upholstery class, Reading the Bible.

I am excited that I have this space to keep me accountable, but also push me to achieve all of my 2015 goals.  I look forward to the end of the year when i can *hopefully* look back and have managed everything above.  So here is to 2015, and to a wonderful year of love, laughs, firsts, any much much more!

- Courtney

2014 Favorites!

Hello Everyone!

With 2014 behind us, I am going to share my favorites for the entire year, enjoy! :)

Skincare

Aqua Glycolic Face Cream - $20.29

The Body Shop Olive Body Butter - $20.00

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - $46.00-$70.00

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay - $10.30

Nails

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti Chip Top Coat - $5.99

Nail Inc. Gel Effect Polish in Porchester Square - $14.00

Nails Inc. Gel Effect Polish in St. James - $14.00

Face

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Correcting Creme - $32.00

Hour Glass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light - $45.00

TheBalm Down Boy Blush - $21.00

Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Concealer in Light Beige - $32.00

Brushes
It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Dual Airbrush Foundation/Concealer Brush - $48.00
MAC 217 Blending Brush - $24.00

Lips
MAC Satin Lipstick in Del Rio - $16.00
Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red - $13.00
Tarte Complexion Lightening Lipstick in Fair-to-Medium
Clinique Different Lipstick in Shy - $16.00
Blistex Medicated Lip Balm - Priced per store

Eyes
LORAC PRO Palette - $42.00
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara - $23.00
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - $10.00
Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium - $22.00
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer in  Light/Medium - $24.00
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black - $20.00
Jordana 12 Hr Eyeliner Pencil in Black Point - Priced per store

Fragrance
Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb - $29.00-$250.00
Givenchy Dahlia Divin - $65.00-$90.00

Jewelry
10K White Gold Diamond Bar Necklace - $79.00
Tiffany Olive Leaf Earring - $175.00
Diamond Necklace
Monica Vinader Riva Diamond Hoop Ring - $215.00
Tiffany Venetian Link Bracelet - $185.00

Were any of the products I mentioned things you have been loving?  What were some of your favorites?  Let me know in the comments below!

- Courtney