The Test Lab: Garnier Micellar Water

Hey Pals,

It's been a while since we entered the The Test Lab! I recently purchased the Garnier Micellar Water. Now that I've been using it for about a month- I wanted to give you my thoughts!

First of all- it's so easy to use. I usually pour some on to a cotton pad and apply it to my skin in circular motions starting with my eyes (because that's where the most gunk is!) The water really breaks down my mascara, and takes off the rest of my makeup easily. I'm usually done after wiping down with just two cotton rounds.

I really like this product because there really isn't much to it. There aren't a million chemicals, it's really light weight, and it's not harmful to my sensitive skin. It smells really clean, and it doesn't kill you if you accidentally get it into your eyes.

Here's the problem- it's winter. The air is freezing. My skin is already dry. This product- thought it claims to be hydrating, really dries out my skin. I had irritated dry patches after a week or so of using it. I had to really amp up my moisturizer routine after using this product which maybe isn't such a bad thing, but still I expected it to add to my moisturizing routine, not so drastically negate it.

Overall, I recommend this product. It's so easy to use, it is a great tool for those late nights when you feel like you just don't have it in you to take care of your skin, and it really is pretty natural. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin like I do, and make sure to moisturize daily!

First Week of Spring Semester Inspiration

Well hello pals.
The time is here. Spring semester is beginning! If you're like me, you're feeling excited, exhausted, stressed, and definitely behind on packing.
I'm here to tell you you're not alone! I'm sitting in my dorm right now, in my pajamas ready to head off to bed before starting my spring internship tomorrow. My winter break sailed by, I have so many things I didn't get to do, and my bank account is frighteningly low.
I am here to help you get through the first week struggle. Scroll down for some cute puppies, inspiring women, and quotes that will push you towards success.

 The first day sucks. Being away from family again takes its toll, but girl you got this! Keep your eye on the prize and look at this new semester as 4 months of opportunities. 

This cute little pup would be terribly upset if he knew you were feeling down in the dumps! Buck up and take on the day with a smile! (For the pups sake of course) 

So your first day wasn't so great? Don't stress! Tomorrow will come, full of new opportunities and new chances to do something incredible. 

This queen inspired little girls to be strong, and taught us all that being smart was something to be proud of! If Emma Watson could be a major movie star, an advocate for education and women's rights, AND graduate from Brown- you can get through today, I swear. 

Make today the day you start to fight for what you love, and do what brings you joy. 

Take time for yourself. Go for a drive, get yourself a delightful iced caramel latte with almond milk. Self care is so important. You don't have to be superwoman all the time! Take a nap, read a book,ease yourself back into the school routine. 

LEAVE F**K BOYS IN THE FALL SEMESTER. You have no time for them, this semester is the one where you find happiness in yourself.

Don't worry about other people. Seriously. Just do you. Make this semester about you and your own success! Don't compare yourself, don't stress about the competition, just be proud of yourself. Every day you do something remarkable, no matter how small. 

You got this. Breathe.
Happy Spring 2017. <3

Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

Hey Y'all! 
When we get close to the holidays, I absolutely love to bake. Something about warm cookies in the cold weather puts an instant smile on my face! I have celiac disease, so these recipes are modified to fit a gluten free diet, but feel free to use regular flour if necessary! 
I hope you enjoy! 

Snowball Cookies

Ingredients:

              1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, lightly softened

              5 tablespoons granulated sugar

              2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

              1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

              2 cups all-purpose Red Mill Gluten-Free flour

              2 cups finely chopped walnuts (Optional)

              1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar for dusting 

Prep:

1. Cream together butter and sugar, beat in the vanilla and salt

2, Gradually add gluten free flour; beating after each addition

3. Stir in the nuts; mix until fully incorporated (optional)

4. Divide dough in half and refrigerate in plastic wrap for approximately 45 minutes

5. Arrange oven rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Place confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl; set aside

6, Measure dough using a small, 1-inch spring-loaded scoop making sure each scoopful is level

7. Roll dough between palms of hands to achieve a small rounded ball

8. Place dough balls 1½ inches apart on prepared baking sheets

9. Bake in preheated oven until the cookies are just beginning to brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. The underside of the cookies should be only lightly browned

10. Cool cookies on baking sheets on wire racks for approximately 2 minutes

11. While cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the confectioners’ sugar. Place the sugar-coated cookies on wire racks to cool completely. 

12. Roll cookies once again in the confectioners’ sugar.

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Ingredients:

                1/2 cup Butter

                1/2 cup Peanut Butter

                1/2 cup Sugar

                1/2 cup Brown Sugar

                1 tsp Vanilla

                1 Egg

                1 1/3 cup Gluten-Free Flour

                1 tsp Baking Soda

                1/2 tsp Salt

                24 Hershey Kisses (unwrapped)

Prep:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth.

3. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

4. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.

5. Slowly add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating until incorporated.

6. Roll into 1″ balls and place on cookie sheet several inches apart.

7. Gently make an indentation in the center of each cookie.

8. Bake 12-14 minutes.

9. Place a Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie.

Monster Cookies

Ingredients: 

                 1/2 cup softened butter, margarine or coconut oil

                 1 cup packed brown sugar

                 1 cup sugar

                 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (I prefer using creamy, but you can use crunchy)

                 3 eggs

                 2 tsp. baking soda

                 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

                 4 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats or instant oats

                 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

                 1 cup plain M&M's

Prep: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, cream together butter, sugars, peanut butter and eggs until light.

3. Add baking soda, vanilla extract, and gluten-free oats and mix on low speed until well mixed.

4. Stir in chocolate chips and plain M&M's.

5. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop rounded balls of dough and place on lined cookie sheets, leaving space between them for them to spread. I only do 12 per cookie sheet, less if using a smaller sized sheet.

6. Bake at 350° for 10-15 or until they don't look gooey in the center. These are better slightly under-cooked than overcooked.

7. Remove from oven and leave on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before moving cookies to wire racks to cool.

Holiday Gift Guide for Moms

Welcome Back!
I'm here to hit ya with some snazzy gift ideas for mom! I know with my mom especially, it's sometimes hard to figure out a great gift that doesn't break the bank, and isn't too generic like a necklace with a heart pendant, or a cookbook.

So here we go!

1. FitBit
    It can be so hard for moms to get out and get movin', but having a FitBit tracker can really work wonders! Hey if it got my butt off the couch, it can help anyone! These can be used to track your steps, to track you sleep, to log your water, and to monitor your activity levels. Plus they come in a ton of fun colors!

2. Outlander DVD Set

    All moms love this show. I don't get it. It's about time travelers in Scotland, the leading man is heckin' sexy. So get your mom a box of chocolate and this box set so she can transport herself to the land of kilts and swords. 

3. Facial Gift Set

    Let Mom pamper herself for once! Sephora has a ton of different gift sets with fancy face masks and serums available in a variety of price ranges which is awesome! Check out this one from Boscia- only $39 for $75 worth of products! 

4, So here's the deal with Slow Cookers- they're genius. You put all the ingredients in one pot and then leave it there for like 8 hours. Suddenly you have MAGIC when it's time for dinner! These are a lifesaver for busy moms, and families in general because you can make a large portion. 

5. Smart Phone Gloves

    Because now mom can poke at her phone and text with her index finger even when it's snowing.

 6. Fancy Sunglasses
    Because mom deserves more than the Target clearance section, try some designer shades this holiday season. They might be a bit on the pricey side, but hey she squeezed you out the day you were born, she probably deserves it. This super cute pair from Warby Parker are under $100!

7. Netflix Giftcard
    Let mom have an hour an a half to herself to sit and cry watching Love Actually for the third time!! She deserves it!!!

8. Silk Pillowcase
    This is a perfect example of a gift that mom really needs, but would never buy herself. Silk pillowcases are great for your skin and hair. They're breathable, and they don't get hot and sweaty like normal pillowcases do! Every time she lays down it will feel like she's at a fancy hotel

9. Heated Blowout Brush
    This is a killer multipurpose tool and perfect for moms on the go! They can give their hair a slight curl and great lift without having to use 4 different tools and 10 different products. This one from Amika works WONDERS!

10. Fancy Champagne
    Who doesn't love alcohol for Christmas?

So who will we conquer next week? You'll have to come back to find out!
xoxo, Courtney

Holiday Gift Guide for Dads

Happy December Pals!
25 Days until Christmas!! To kick off the holiday season, I thought I would help inspire y'all with some Gift Guides! Today we're tackling Dads. They are the hardest to buy for! What the heck do you buy the man who supports you even when your crazy, eats Chipotle even when he's not in the mood, and is the butt of all your family jokes?? Well here are some ideas for the hero in New Balance sneakers in your life.

1. 'The Art of Fixing Things'
        Now you can sleep soundly every time you hear dad say 'I can totally fix this'. This awesome book covers how to fix cars and appliances, and also helps with minor home improvements! You can get it right on amazon. (Plus it's available on Prime!!)

2. 'The John Lennon Letters'
        Perfect for any Beatles loving dad, this book is filled with many of Lennon's letters that have never before been released! Filled with over three hundred poems, postcards and personal correspondences. Available on Amazon, and it qualifies for Prime shipping-- another win!!

3. A Snack of the Month membership from The Popcorn Factory
       This company has so many flavors of popcorn its CRAZY!!! Prices range from $10-20 per month, and have free ground shipping! It's the gift that keeps on giving!

4. Cards Against Humanity
     A personal fave of my own fathers, this game is sure to make you overwhelmingly uncomfortable. It's hilarious, and watching your dad try and figure out what some of the cards mean is worth every cent spent.

5. Nose Hair Trimmer
    Let's just do everyone a favor amiright?

6. Personalized Cooler Chair
     Great for all the dads who sit through our school sporting events, or those who scream with the best of them at all the big league games! It has a ton of pockets and you can even get it embroidered with his nickname or with a classic- 'Dad'. You can get it on Zazzle!

7. Bluetooth Key Tracker
      He can never lose his keys again!! A miracle! We'll never get blamed for him leaving his keys in the bathroom ever again!

8. Fancy Shaving Kit
    Give him a reason to feel a little fancy this holiday season. He'll walk around like the big man on campus for days!!

9. A Tablet/iPad
      It's definitely a pricier option, but dads love fun toys! These will keep him busy for hours whether he uses it for work or play. He can download all his favorite books, and can watch all the TV shows and movies he wants.. even the ones no one else wants to watch with him because they're creepy or so boring they'll put you to sleep.

10. Fashionable Sneakers
      No more white New Balances!! BURN THEM ALL. Get dad ridin' into 2017 in style with some Nikes!

Let me know if you'd like to see more gift guides like this, or any other holiday themed posts!
xoxo

My Favorite Boots for Fall

1. Dirty Laundry Reckless Rain Boot

$59.95, DSW 

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2. Buckle Cutout Booties

$34.95, Forever 21

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3. Matte Chelsea Rain Boots (Dark Burgundy)

$65, J.Crew

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4. Dasher Lillie Bootie (Khaki)

$110, Sperry 

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5. Squad (Grey)

$109.95, Steve Madden

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6. Franco Sarto Cleveland Riding Boot

$79.94, DSW

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7. Jessica Simpson Tilroy Sandal

$69.95, Macy's 

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8. AK Anne Klein Langstyn Bootie

$109.95, Lord & Taylor

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9. Alara Boot

$199.95, Steve Madden

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10. Becket Boot

$159.99, Ugg Australia

Celebrating Crisp Air in NYC

       Today was the day we've all been waiting for since mid August. The day when the heat breaks, the leaves begin to fall, and the air smells like pumpkins are on their way. The most wonderful time of the year. While it was about 70 degrees here in NYC, I decided to incorporate some classic fall pieces and lots of layering for when it got warmer throughout the day!

Below are the links to the items themselves or something similar!
Skirt: JCrew // Button Down: Target // Jacket: Old Navy // Sneakers: Vans // Watch: Michael Kors // Earrings: Francescas //