Everyone has their different goals and what they want to accomplish in life. For example, my goals are a little different than my boyfriend’s goals. Especially when it comes to finally being in the same country. But that’s a complicated story for another time. In college I learned a proper way to set goals for yourself. I’m not saying you have to specifically follow these rules but it gives you a guide.

After looking at the SMART way to set goals, you probably think it’s a little pointless and complicated. But when you really think about it, you can adapt it to fit your needs in a simpler way. Some of my goals are to live in New York City, graduate from graduate school, have a family, blog three times a week, and be happy with my life.

Here are some tips to help set and achieve your goals.

Goal Has An End Result | Something to work towards. Even though it seems like being happy with your life doesn’t have a definite end result, it can. Just like life, you can take it day by day and try your best to make each day a good one.

You Can Actually Complete It | Goals can be hard to complete sometimes.  You definitely don’t want something that’s too out there. A goal of traveling to every country is a little extreme, especially if you don’t have the funds. Something like traveling to Europe in 2020 is a little more attainable.

Keep In Mind the Steps to Get There | Let’s look at blogging three times a week. It’s not a big task or as strenuous as every day (incredible that people can actually do that). I plan out my month of blog posts in a notebook. It makes it easier and if I wanted to I could write them all at the beginning but where’s the fun in that? I have a goal of writing posts every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday. The steps I’m starting to take to get there is to stay a week ahead and schedule my posts for 8 AM. This way I don’t even have to think or rush to get a post up.

Timing Is Everything | Some goals need to have a timeline to complete them in. If you don’t, then it’s just a wish. My tip for setting a timeline is to overshoot it and give yourself more time to actually complete it. I get discouraged in school when I feel like I don’t have enough time to finish everything. I started completed things right when I got the assignment and it was the best thing I could do. The same thing could be said for blogging, work, or even things around the house.

If you follow these tips while making and keeping your goals, you will be very successful in whatever you do. Whether it is personal goals, life goals, relationship goals, or even soccer goals (my boyfriend mentioned it).

What are your goals?

xx

Concealer. Concealer. Concealer. This product can very well be your best friend when you have an uninvited spot or you failed to get any sleep the previous night. But it’s hard to know which one is right to use. These are just some of the concealers I've been able to try.

Under Eye Concealers | When I first got serious about makeup, I was using the potted MAC Studio Finish concealer shown above. Little did I know that I was completely wrong and it was more likely to cake up during the day. Personally I didn't think it looked bad by the end of the day. But low and behold, I ended up buying different concealers to hide my pesky dark circles. It is best to use a more liquid concealer because it is easier to blend.

I find that the Clinique Line Smoothing concealer gets the job done. The MAC Pro Longwear is also good but a little bit goes a long way. I’m still testing out the new Maybelline Master Conceal concealers. A blog post will be out soon.

Spot Concealers | I don’t know about you but I have a lot of dark spots. Not even acne. It’s just like a colony of spots on my cheeks and chin. Most annoying thing ever. Potted concealer is definitely best for this. It’s thicker and more likely to cover the spot without showing through.

For these I like the Benefit Boi-ing concealer and MACStudio Finish concealer. I use a concealer brush and apply it directly to the spot. Then, with clean fingers, I blend it in slightly, focusing mainly on the edges. The L'Oréal True Match Crayon concealer is something I’m still trying to get used to. You use it just like the potted concealers but apply directly from the crayon.

Correctors | Last, but not least, there are correcting concealers. I found this Maybelline Eraser Dark Spot treatment one day. I wasn't sure how to use it at first and if it would even work. But I finally found a decent way to use it. After you do your skincare and apply a primer, put this on any dark spots you may have that are hard to cover with normal concealers (I use this on the colony I mentioned earlier). Then apply your foundation and another layer of concealer if you need it.

What’s your favorite concealer?

xx

Mother’s Day | Today is the day we celebrate mothers and all they have done for us. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. My mom is the greatest. She’s probably the strongest person I know. I can’t believe all she has done for my older brothers and I. One day I hope to give back just half of everything she has given to me. I hope everyone values their relationship with their mothers. You really don’t know how long you have her. Cherish the little moments you have and never take her for granted.

Grandma | I love my grandma. She’s the sweetest, most feisty woman I have ever met. If you have ever seen Golden Girls (my guilty pleasure and I’m not ashamed), think of Sophia. She has cancer. We found out in February and it hasn't been easy since. But she’s a fighter and always has been. She has been in the hospital for about a week now due to a mass. We were hoping she would go home yesterday but she is still there. I've been to the hospital twice this week to visit her and if you were to see her around our family, you wouldn't think she had cancer. She’s always smiling and laughing and it warms my heart to see her like that.

Blogging | I’m probably one of the bad bloggers in this world. I keep going on breaks and I hate myself for it. But I’m back finally. Back to blogging. It really makes me happy and I love reading other blogs too. So I’m getting a little more serious about blogging. I’m thinking about changing the name. It’s so hard trying to come up with clever names for a blog. My boyfriend has been so sweet in trying to help with the names. I think I have a couple of good ones that I actually came up with while writing this section. This just shows that inspiration can hit at any point of the day.

Pinterest | If you have read my About Me page then you know Pinterest is one of my most favorite things in this world. Just under my boyfriend and Christmas. I've been going on it more and more as of late. I feel like I took a break from that as well. Whenever I feel bored or I’m just watching TV, I find my fingers automatically open my phone and go to the Pinterest app. Is it bad that I have almost 70 boards?!? It’s my constant need to have things in their own categories within categories. Like my boards for blog design and a separate one for tips. Take a look for yourself! You will see how bad it gets J.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen | My mom unfortunately had to work today (second year in a row L), so we decided to celebrate mother’s day last night with dinner at a restaurant we've never been to before. After one was too busy (too many college graduates celebrating), we ended up at this restaurant called Cheddar’s. We've passed by it several times and always ask ourselves what’s a scratch kitchen? Is everything made from scratch? I think it was. My favorite part of the meal was their homemade honey butter croissants. I’m obsessed with croissants. These were the perfectly sweet and melted in your mouth. They gave us four but we could only eat one. I took the rest home and had some for breakfast. They still tasted amazing the second day. I can’t wait to go back already.

What were some of your highlights from this week?

xx

I like the thought of writing about my experience with a semester before and after it finishes. And seeing as how the spring semester just ended for me on Monday (woohoo!!), why not talk about my experience and what I've learned about myself.

For one, I always start strong. I've never had a problem with that. I'm actually really focused on school and nothing gets in the way. Right around the time midterms start, I get a little too comfortable. My focus starts slipping and it's like I'm getting senioritis (which I didn't even have when I was a senior). I can see the semester coming to a close right before my eyes and I can't wait for it to be over. By the end, I had to cram in some of my classes to pass them. I did and at this point, that's all I cared about.

Hopefully I'll never get too comfortable again. Next time I'll focus a little more on school and less on everything else. I'm taking summer classes so hopefully I can put this new mindset to use.

How did everyone else do this semester?

xx

I feel like a failure as a blogger. It’s been around 5 months since I wrote a blog post and that’s a little ridiculous if you ask me. I miss having a creative outlet to express my love of beauty.

I’m not sure what made me want to start layering mascara. Maybe I have too many that I want to try. Maybe I needed more volume. Whatever the reason, I absolutely love the difference it makes. It’s nothing to someone that passes by me, but I think it looks pretty damn good.

This month, I’m using two mascaras from Maybelline: Pumped Up! Colossal and One by One, both in black. I start by apply Pumped Up! on to my lashes (where else?) and try not to get them clumpy. I find that this is key. After, I immediately apply One by One. I don’t let the previous mascara dry or it will be harder to apply. I also try not to let this clump. Don’t be afraid to use a brow/lash comb. It has saved me a few times and works great for separating my lashes.

Let me know if you also do this. Or even use the same mascara.

xx