Weekly Favorites - January Week 1

To wrap up the week, I thought it would be fun to start doing little Weekly Favorites posts! I spend so much time on the internet, and shopping, and trying new products through various subscription boxes and it adds up! I may not always have quite so many, but this week was jam packed with new discoveries I'm dying to share with you guys!

1  Kiss True Volume Lashes in Chic
These lashes are absolutely incredible. I am obsessed! Since I first tried them, I've literally worn them every single day. Even to work and other daytime activities. This particular style looks so unbelievably natural and not at all fake. They have this amazing fluttery shape and a tapered edge to more closely resemble natural lashes. On me, they totally double the volume of my natural lashes for even more impact. I can't say enough about these!
*I received this product complimentary from Influenster in exchange for my honest review.

2  Kiss Strip Lash Adhesive with Aloe in Clear
This lash glue is actually the easiest I've used. It's a tube style with a little brush inside and you can just paint the adhesive onto your lashes and then apply. I know lots of people like to use the black adhesive, but I actually prefer this style because I want to be able to see that I've got enough on there and then let it dry after the fact. It works great, it's easy to use, and it's so not messy. Highly recommend this product too! It's def the best lash glue I've tried so far.
*I received this product complimentary from Influenster in exchange for my honest review.

3  Revlon Pro Collection One Step Dryer & Styler
When I was home for Christmas, I obsessed over finding this hair dryer. I tried it at an Ulta store, but literally called everywhere and it was completely sold out. I finally found it online at Target and now that I've got it, it has seriously changed my life. It's shaped like a paddle brush with all the impact of a regular hair dryer. You can seriously just brush your hair with it, and pull straight to give yourself a salon-quality blowout. As someone who has never been able to blow dry her hair because I have super thick, usually super long strands...this is something I could not live without now. I am buying a second just in case they discontinue it and my current one breaks. Is that crazy? No...right?

4  Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 
This, along with my new hairdryer has elevated my hair game beyond belief. I first tried this last week when my roommate picked it up at Sephora and I owned my own the next day. It gives you such amazing volume at the root, brings amazing texture, and smells incredible. I don't find that it completely replaces the need for their Detox Dry Shampoo (another major fave of mine) because it's not really going to totally absorb oil. But for volume, texture, and scent it can't be beat.

5  Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner
I was a bit hesitant about trying this product, but was curious enough to request it for my January Birchbox sample choice. It just really looks like a black magic marker, and I thought there was no way I'd be able to get a good, controlled liquid line with them... But the truth is, it actually makes it way easier to hold and to use. And the tip is so firm that it gives you great control and accuracy. The color is a perfect matte, deep black also. I'm a big fan!

6  LUSH Milky Bath Bubble Bar
This took the cake as my favorite LUSH bath product ever. It gave me the most bubbles of any other bubble bar I've tried, and it turned my bath into a relaxing, sweet-smelling, moisturizing dream come true. I wish I had bought ten...

7  Double Sided Earrings
These are such a fave of mine for a really strange reason. Don't get me wrong, I like the look of them for sure. But I also travel everywhere using over-the-ear headphones and listening to music/watching YouTube videos all day. And headphones press the spiky post of an earring right into my neck, which is sooo uncomfortable! These double-sided earrings make it so much more comfortable.

And that's that for January Week 1! What products have you guys been loving this week? Leave a note in the comments below.

Happy New Year - Now Let's See How I Did!

I remember around this time last year posting several New Year's Resolutions on this blog. A sort of 30 before 30, if you will...which gives me the unique opportunity to check back and see how I did! Because while hitting all those goals definitely didn't happen, turning 30 was guaranteed to. Isn't it funny how aging works? Anyway, 2015 really was an incredible year, but it had its low points for me too. Beginning and ending a relationship that was kind of a full-time job in and of itself made it so I didn't have much time to really do the things I'd outlined, but it did bring lots of other meaningful goals and personal achievements. And while I'm really looking forward to a fresh start in 2016, I hope that reposting my New Years Resolutions from last year as more of a continuation (let's keep this party going!) would be kind of cool. We're all a work in progress, right?

So...without further ado, my 2015 Resolutions! I will cross out things I genuinely did and offer some background commentary on the things I did not...

1  Keep an up-to-date calendar/planner (past March...)
Yeah, this is just never going to be a thing for me. But I keep trying! I'm currently trying to focus my planner just to blogging goals and planning content so I don't just...casually step away for four years again! So that is my amended goal for 2016.
2  Keep my desktop/workspace clean (spot clean every day before leaving work)
3  Take an improv comedy class  
I still really, really want to do this.
4  Set up drinks/dinner with a new female friend
5  Blog at least twice a week
Hah! A likely story... But, I'm upping this to 3x in 2016.
6  Wear makeup everyday (bonus points if I put it on at home and not at my desk)
I definitely upped my makeup game in 2015, but yeah...it mostly happened at my desk. Not gonna lie.
7  Go kayaking at Riverside or Brooklyn Bridge Park
Still on the list!
8  Go skiing at least twice this season
9  Pay off my credit card
Almost there, but working on it! Definitely happening in Q1 of 2016.
10  Take a design/art workshop or class
11  Buy a sketchbook and start to doodle again
12  Learn to make simple things I haven't tried i.e. whipped cream, poached eggs, roast chicken 
13  Find a general practitioner that I like, and have a full check-up (I'm embarrassed to say I haven't been to a GP in 3+ years)  
I did find a GP, but I haven't really made an appointment yet. I'm waiting for a big cold so I can kill two birds with one stone. 
14  Buy a new mattress
15  Stick to my diet (I do Weight Watchers, and I always nail it perfectly for 2 months, and then fizzle for a month, and so on...this year I'm going for consistency!)
Yeah, this definitely did not happen in 2015, but I'm trying again this year, and changing it up with #Nutrisystem. Stay tuned for more posts on this! I've already lost my first 10 pounds, and I just feel like 2016 will definitely be the year of my best ever body.
16  Read at least 20 books
17  Aim to go on at least one date each week
I did do this right up until I started my relationship in March! I would like to do this again in 2016 maybe?
18  Get weekly manicures and DON'T chew fingernails  
19  Cut way back on the booze and the occasional cigarette (very important!!)
Still working on this, though I do think I made some great strides this year.
20  Don't just remove makeup, focus on using my Clinique Sonic System brush for a deeper clean daily
21  Cook for myself at least two days each week
I really did do this for most of the year, so I'm crossing it off!
22  Make my bed everyday (this is so sad...I'm going to be 30, it's time)
I don't nail this every day, but I definitely do it way more and it's been great. 
23  Never visit someone's apartment empty-handed (hostess gifts are in your future, friends!)
I can't remember if I really paid many people a visit this year, but I'm keeping this on the list because it's a nice idea and I think something people always appreciate and remember.
24  Make a point to send thank you notes, birthday cards, other meaningful communications Really still working on this. I would love to become a thoughtful, classy, adult lady this year.
25  Never go a full week without doing yoga
I did not do this but, if I'm honest, it's not really a goal anymore. I hurt my foot very badly last spring when I took a spill on my apartment stairs and it's still not quite yoga-ready. 
26  Try at least one new recipe every 2 weeks, to broaden cooking/eating horizons
I used Plated for part of the year this year, and I really enjoyed it! 
27  Moisturize hands/face/skin daily  
28  Drink water (i.e. no more than 2 Diet Cokes per day, how will I ever do this?)
I started really doing this in the back half of the year, and I really do want to continue to work on it in 2016.
29  Go on a relaxing vacation (preferably out of the country)
Sadly no vacation this year. If I hit my weight loss goals, maybe I will take myself to the beach?
30  Feel good, stay positive, be happy 

Total resolution score: 17/30 (Over half, not too shabby!)

If I had to add some new ones for 2016 (in addition to the above that I'm still working on) they would have to be:

1  Upgrade my wardrobe to start phasing in more high-quality staple pieces and more polished accessories
2  Give my room a bit of a facelift. I love the décor in there, but a few things need to be tweaked.
3  Start my JennaSaisQuois YouTube channel - Coming soon!
4  Once the credit card is paid off, start an IRA to save for the future
5  Learn how to blow dry my hair!! This is a basic life skill I do not possess...
6  Take a dance class or something fun to get my body moving
7  Really try to take the subway instead of Uber or a Taxi unless it's an emergency or I'm carrying something heavy
8  Stick with Nutrisystem for at least 4 months (longer than I have ever stuck with a diet ever)
9  Do another KonMari style purge of clothing and other clutter at some point
10  Say THANK YOU more often, which I think is such a simple thing that takes no effort and really makes a difference to people

JSQ in the Kitchen: Southwestern Black Bean Salad

In keeping with my Resolution to cook more, I whipped up one of my favorite recipes last night and can I please just tell you...Skinnytaste.com NEVER LETS ME DOWN. Every recipe is amazing, and Gina (who I just fangirl over constantly on this blog and on Pinterest) lists the Weight Watchers points and calories for every meal.

While this Southwestern Black Bean Salad recipe is totally more of a Summertime hit, if you're craving protein-rich beans, sweet corn, or avocados (which is every day of the year for me) this salad is super easy to whip up on a weeknight. And if you're cooking for one like I am, it also stores well in the fridge for a few days so you can nibble on it all week. Personally, I use 1 cup of it (4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus) as a salsa (I double the amount of tomato in the recipe to achieve this effect) that I pair with Original Flavor Pop Chips for a touch of saltiness (and only 3 more PointsPlus). This is quite honestly my favorite snack, and today I even brought it for lunch!

NOW, Skinnytaste is even a cookbook. I obviously own a copy that I bought the day it became available at Barnes & Noble, and even gave a copy to my mom for Christmas. If I really wanted to learn to cook, I could just cook my way through the Skinnytaste cookbook a la Julie & Julia...Totally kidding, but actually 62% serious. Bon Appetit! 

Hello, 2015! Hello 30!

I can not believe 2015 is upon us. Not only that, but this is a very big year for me because at the very end of it, I'm turning 30! I can't tell yet if I'll have any anxiety about that, but it could go either way at the moment!

While I haven't been stressing about the numbers too much, I have been taking some big strides at the tail end of 2014 to achieve some much needed work/life balance, spend more quality time with friends, and yes...I even started dating. Let me tell you, it's been an adventure, and one I definitely don't post much about on here (because I don't post much at all these days...I promise I'm trying to change that) but I may be getting a little more...personal on this blog in 2015. I think of those of you who have stuck with me through about 2.5 years of infrequent updates as family and friends by now. You're in the inner circle.

So with that, I give you my list of 30 things I'd like to do this year, before turning 30. And I raise a glass to toast each of you, with the hope that you all accomplish all you're meant to this year. Cheers!

1  Keep an up-to-date calendar/planner (past March...)
2  Keep my desktop/workspace clean (spot clean every day before leaving work)
3  Take an improv comedy class
4  Set up drinks/dinner with a new female friend
5  Blog at least twice a week
6  Wear makeup everyday (bonus points if I put it on at home and not at my desk)
7  Go kayaking at Riverside or Brooklyn Bridge Park
8  Go skiing at least twice this season
9  Pay off my credit card
10  Take a design/art workshop or class
11  Buy a sketchbook and start to doodle again
12  Learn to make simple things I haven't tried i.e. whipped cream, poached eggs, roast chicken
13  Find a general practitioner that I like, and have a full check-up (I'm embarrassed to say I haven't been to a GP in 3+ years)
14  Buy a new mattress
15  Stick to my diet (I do Weight Watchers, and I always nail it perfectly for 2 months, and then fizzle for a month, and so on...this year I'm going for consistency!)
16  Read at least 20 books
17  Aim to go on at least one date each week
18  Get weekly manicures and DON'T chew fingernails
19  Cut way back on the booze and the occasional cigarette (very important!!)
20  Don't just remove makeup, focus on using my Clinique Sonic System brush for a deeper clean daily
21  Cook for myself at least two days each week
22  Make my bed everyday (this is so sad...I'm going to be 30, it's time)
23  Never visit someone's apartment empty-handed (hostess gifts are in your future, friends!)
24  Make a point to send thank you notes, birthday cards, other meaningful communications
25  Never go a full week without doing yoga
26  Try at least one new recipe every 2 weeks, to broaden cooking/eating horizons
27  Moisturize hands/face/skin daily
28  Drink water (i.e. no more than 2 Diet Cokes per day, how will I ever do this?)
29  Go on a relaxing vacation (preferably out of the country)
30  Feel good, stay positive, be happy

That last one could be the easiest, or the most difficult. And I'm sure this list is only scratching the surface of what I can accomplish this year. But anyway, here we go! Buckle up, it could be a very bumpy ride.

Happy New Year: 2013

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you all had an amazing holiday season and an extraordinary New Year's Eve. We had a party here in our apartment and it was lovely to be surrounded by my new fabulous friends. It was very surreal to realize that I have joined such an amazing, shiny new group of people in exactly one year's time. See a few of my 2013 Resolutions below, and feel free to share some of yours! I'd love to hear them.

Image taken at the party via my Instagram account

1  BLOG MORE
I've talked about this many times before, but since I sort of fell off the blogging wagon last year while adjusting to my new surroundings (and an extremely taxing new work schedule), I vow to carve out more time this year to writing in this blog. It always makes me feel like the truest version of myself when I am taking the time to be creative and share my thoughts with all of you readers.

2  MAKE MY BED EVERYDAY
I am embarrassed to say it, but I still don't religiously make my bed in the morning. I am not a morning person so I tend to just roll out of bed, throw on some clothes, brush my teeth and get on the subway. But I'm proud to say that I took the time to wake up earlier and make my bed every morning this past week and it made my room feel much cleaner and more organized! And it was a much better sight to come home to, and more comfortable to crawl into at night too. This is one resolution I am definitely going to stick with!

3  SPEND LESS MONEY
This is getting into the cliched New Years Resolution territory, but I seriously need to stop eating out for lunch everyday. It's not healthy and it's really not affordable. Instead, I am going to pack a lunch the night before, or bring a Lean Cuisine or something. I am also going to take fewer taxis, as I've crunched the numbers recently, and that is a huuuuge cost that will definitely be easy enough to cut. I could also stand to cut out some of those guilty pleasures like after-work drinks too, which will be sure to lighten my monthly spending!

4  WHITEN UP
This is probably more of a vanity thing, but I'd really like to cut out dark beverages like Diet Coke and coffee, because I can tell they are slowly but surely staining my teeth. Everyone likes to have a bright, white smile, and I have identified a few things to cut out of my daily routine that will help brighten my teeth.

5  WORK/LIFE BALANCE?
This is the biggest struggle in the world for me...I tend to be a bit of a workaholic, and my job is equally very demanding. This is a disastrous combination, to be sure. I need to know when to say enough is enough, and leave the remaining work for another day. There's always something more I could do, but it often doesn't have to be now, now, now, and completely interfere with my personal time! I need to reclaim my life, and I'm planning on doing it soon!

I know that New Years Resolutions are commonly scoffed at, but I can't imagine ever discouraging someone's quest for self-improvement. It's a very human thing to want to be better and do better and this time of year feels like the closing of one chapter and the opening of another! Good luck with all of your New Years Resolutions! I will keep you posted on how mine are going...

{APP}ly Yourself

It's Chrissy again - guest posting from Harve & Polly (and so excited that Jenna has landed in NYC!)

So, did you survive you New Years Eve? of course you did. Now that the party is over - it's time to get those resolutions rolling! I know its hard, but take that motivation, and these apps, and get cracking!

Below are 5 resolutions, and 5 corresponding apps that will help you make them reality!

1) Diet Diet Diet
Here we go - you say it every year! After all those delicious Holiday meals it's time to cut back on those sweets and eat your veggies! Dont get too crazy about what's good for you and what's not - there's an App for that! Try the Nutrition Menu App for $0.99

This App lets you: 
- look up nutrition information for restaurants
- graph your weightloss over time
- adds up your daily calories
- lets you track exercise
- even works with your weight watchers points!

2) Work Out
calories aren't just burnt at the gym - walking, jogging and running are all good ways to get in shape. The easiest way to keep track of them is with the Pedometer App for $0.99

This App lets you:
- accurately calculate the length of your step by using your height and weight
- keep monitoring your steps without draining your battery life
- calorie calculator tells you how many calories you burn daily
- store your walking history to track your progress
- speed settings even let you tell the app how fast you want to go

3) Get Organized
If you dont use "Teux Deux" yet - you should - and then you need to download the corresponding App for free!

This App lets you:
- access your to do list just like TeusDeux.com
- easily view multiple lists from your phone
- add and cross off items from anywhere
- drag and drop items from day to day

4) Save Money
There's nothing worse than overspending - see exactly how much you are spending on what with the Spend Budgeting App for $0.99

This App lets you: 
- view spending history
- see how much money you have left for specific budget items
- add in reoccurring expenses so you never forget about that pesky prescription or gym membership
- transfer funds between budgets (sorry dress fund - that winter gas bill was higher than I expected!)

5) Learn Something New
No new year is complete without learning a new skill, how about a foreign language? Download the French tutor app for FREE

This App lets you:
- play games to learn phrases
- take written quizzes to see your progress
- listen to native french audio
- use the flashcards to brush up on your vocab


Well, there they are - I hope these Apps help with your resolutions, and have a happy 2012.