Your January Top 5 Best Loved Items


Another month has come and gone - can you believe it?!  At least for me, time feels like it's flying by.  At the end of each month, I love seeing what my readers' most purchased items were.  You've made me proud this month!  The items you all loved are also the ones I cannot stop wearing (or in one instance, stop snuggling with).  Without further ado ... here are your January top 5: 
 
 
#1  LOFT Cable Knit Cold Shoulder Sweater (On Major Sale)

#2  Target Faux Fur Throw (Currently on sale for $14)
#3  BP. Stone Fringe Pendant Necklace (Currently on sale for $12)

 
#4  Free People Sand Dune Sweater, also here (shoes here , denim here)
 
 
  #5  BP. Plaid Cotton Blend Shirt (on sale for under $30)
 
Don't forget to follow along on Facebook, where I originally shared these items (which ALL happen to be on sale)!  I'm keeping an eye out for all the best sales and posting them on Facebook daily.  Sale items sell out fast, so a lot of the time by the time I get them up on the blog, they've already sold out.   
 
SHOP THE POST:          

DIY Makeup Setting Spray


  
Makeup setting spray is a must in my beauty routine.  I've used it as long as I can remember, and it can certainly get pricey - like this popular version.  Which is why I was so excited to find out how easy (and cheap) it is to make your own at home!  I'm definitely a fan of saving money, and also of not using any extra chemicals on my body, so this recipe really is a win-win.  The best part is, you only need 3 ingredients and about 2 minutes to make this DIY makeup setting spray! 
RECIPE
4 oz. glass spray bottle (I use these)
1 part glycerin (I use this and this)
3 parts distilled water
~10 drops of essential oil (I use this brand)
*I used Frankincense oil, but Lavender, Tea Tree, or Cedarwood would all be great in this makeup setting spray.  You can also leave the essential oils out altogether if you prefer.
Add the glycerin and essential oils (if using) to the glass bottle first.  Then add distilled water.  Cap and gently shake to mix.
TO USE:  Shake before using.  Spritz onto your face after makeup application to set your makeup in place for the entire day!
Glycerin is necessary in this recipe because it's the "glue" that seals your makeup in place.  The water adds moisture and helps dilute the glycerin.  The essential oils add natural, plant-based fragrance, as well as skin calming properties (exactly which properties depend on the oils you use).  I will NEVER go back to buying my makeup setting spray.  This one works SO GOOD and costs a mere fraction of the price of store bought versions! 

Have you tried making this DIY makeup setting spray?  If so, I'd love to hear what you thought of it!  Just let me and the other Nineteen Windsor readers know in the comments!
If you're interested in learning more about essential oils, you might want to follow my Essential Oils board and DIY Beauty Board on Pinterest.
If you enjoyed this post, don't forget to follow Nineteen Windsor on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram so you never miss a post!

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Her

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and it’s time to start making dinner reservations, buying cards and gifts, and preparing school valentines for the kiddos.  Valentine’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays.  When I was little, my mom would always surprise me with a little gift on Valentine’s Day, and I love carrying on that tradition with my kids.  There’s something so gratifying about giving someone a gift that they aren’t expecting and watching their face light up.

I also have a slight obsession with the color pink, so I can’t resist the cute stuff that comes out this time of year!  I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Valentine’s Day inspired items below. 

1. Gibson Twist Front Sweater $49     2. Love Necklace $20.97     3. Cape Robbin Satin Mules $23-29
4. Chelsea28 Tote $89     5. Chocolate Truffles $39.99     6. 10 Pc Heart Bakeware Set $39.99                7. Fluffy Pullover $78      8. XOXO Coffee Mug $9.99     9. Kate Spade Demi Heart Ring $118                 10. Kate Spade Earrings $48     11.Hearts Head Wrap $25       12. Kate Spade Coin Purse $88
13. Monogram Jewelry Box $19     14. Caslon Modal Scarf $35

This Week's Best Sales & A Giveaway!

Every holiday comes with great sales, and this week is no exception.  Here are the best sales of the week, along with a few of my favorite picks.  For more frequent updates on great sales and the items I'm loving, make sure to follow along on Facebook.  And make sure you scroll down to find out how you can get entered into my drawing for a $50 Target gift card!


Crate and Barrel — Enjoy up to 70% off. Valid through 1/31.
Saks — Take up to 70% off designer selections. Valid through 1/21.
Barneys — Enjoy up to 70% off. Valid through 2/1.
Sole Society — Take up to 60% off select styles. Valid through 1/18.
Sunglass Hut — Take up to 70% off over 100+ styles. Valid through 1/18.
Yoox — Take an extra 20% off select styles. Valid through 1/18.
Stuart Weitzman — Take up to 50% off! Valid through 1/31.
Vince. — Take up to 60% off! Valid through 1/31.
Revolve — Save up to 60% off! Valid through 1/21.
Michael Kors — Enjoy up to 50% off select styles. Valid through 1/28.

SHOP MY SALE FAVORITES:          

Now onto the details of the GIVEAWAY!  Because I'm SO grateful for all of you who take the time to read the blog and to follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, I'm giving away a $50 Target gift card to one lucky reader.  All you have to do is LIKE Nineteen Windsor on Facebook and comment on the pinned Facebook post with what your New Year's resolution is!  Share the post to your Facebook wall for an extra entry.  Just make sure to let me know you've shared it in the Facebook comments so I can give you an extra entry.  The winner will be drawn and announced on January 22.  Good luck!

*This giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Facebook or Target.  I'm purchasing the gift card prize with my own money as a big THANK YOU to my amazing readers! 


What's in My Beauty Bag - Winter Edition


I'm a beauty product junkie.  My husband calls me "a marketer's dream".  Call it what you will, but I love trying new products, and LOTS of them.  I've subscribed to countless beauty boxes and tried more brands than I can even remember.  Some come and go, and some become holy grail products I've used for years and will use for years to come.  Here's a roundup of my favorite products of the season, why I love them, and why I think you will too.

1.  CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner  $6.99  -  I've used this eyeliner since I was in 8th grade.  No joke.  Are there better eyeliners out there?  Sure.  MAC's Pro Longwear Liner is my favorite, but it's $21 a pop.  So for my basic, everyday liner, CoverGirl wins every time.  

2.  Clinique Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator  $39  -  It's true, I would never have looked twice at this moisturizer if I hadn't received a free sample as part of a promotion, but now that I have it, I love it.  It's a lightweight gel consistency and moisturizes like a thick cream, but without the greasy feeling left behind.  I definitely recommend it for anyone who needs an extra moisture boost but doesn't like a heavy cream.  There's a possibility this may replace my current moisturizer in my holy grail lineup ...

3.  MAC Satin Lipstick in Brave  $17.50  -  You know how you have that one color of lipstick that's just PERFECTION?  It goes with everything and suits your skin tone perfectly?  Well, Brave is that lipstick for me.  I had to try out quite a few different shades to find it, but it was well worth the money because this lipstick is just that good.  Perfect formula, perfect color, just ... perfect.

4.  Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush  $29  - This blush is, well, blush.  It came in one of my many beauty boxes and works well, but it's really no different than any other blush I've used before.  But it is in my beauty bag and has been for awhile, so I've included it here.  

5.  Moroccanoil Treatment $15-$44  -  Hands down the best hair product I've ever used.  I've been using it for at least 10 years, and I'll use it forever.  I put a small amount in my hair when damp, concentrating on the ends, and then blow dry.  Adds volume, shine, control.  LOVE!

6.  IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream  $38  -  This is another product I've used for several years and have no intention of ever switching to anything else.  I actually use this instead of foundation (after my moisturizer), and then use a light dusting of this powder over top.  Great coverage that's buildable and light enough that it doesn't look or feel caked on. Highly recommend!  I use the shade "Light".      

7.  Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb  $48  -  This is another product I never would have used if it hadn't been for the free sample I received from Influenster.  I've been on the hunt for a good eye cream for a long time, and this is one of the better ones I've used.  It may seem a little pricey, but when you see how big the jar is it's actually a pretty good deal.  This jar will last you forever.  It's as big as most of my moisturizers.  Now that I'm in my 30s, I need a good, heavy eye cream, and this one is super hydrating and really smooths out my makeup application.  Definitely a good one to try if you're in the market. {Edit - I used the wrong picture ... the jar is actually blue.  The link is correct.}

8.  Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara  $23  -  I have a love/hate relationship with mascara.  I've never found one I've been in love with.  I think I've used about 274 different kinds, and this is one of the few I've actually purchased a second tube of.  So there's that.  But seriously, this is a good one.  It can get a little clumpy at times, but that's because it's thick enough to make your lashes look really long and dark, so I'm okay with that.

9.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser  $11-$36  -  This is the skin care product I've used the longest.  I've been using this for close to 10 years, and it's worked well with all of the stages my skin has gone through: oily, dry, aging, and acne-prone.  This is an excellent cleanser, and I highly recommend it.  Too expensive?  This is a great one you can pick up at your local drugstore for a fraction of the price.

10.  Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel  $55  -  This mask is a powerhouse for your skin and one of my very favorites.  It's pricey, so I only use it about once a month.  It's a face mask chock full of glycolic acid and vitamin C.  It stings a little as it takes off the dead skin cells, but when you rinse it off you'll definitely notice your skin looking brighter.

11.  Clarisonic  $129  -  I probably would have never bought this for myself, but my husband bought this for me as a surprise one year.  I was skeptical, but this has become a staple in my beauty routine.  The spinning brush head deep cleans my skin, getting off every trace of makeup, while exfoliating.  There are different brush heads depending on your skin type and whether you prefer soft or harder bristles.  I actually buy my replacement brush heads here and save quite a bit of money.

12.  Soo Ae Donkey Milk Sleeping Mask  $3.30  -  I received this product through my Walmart Beauty Box subscription, and although the name sounds kind of gross, I actually really liked it.  I wasn't a fan of the idea of sleeping with a mask on my face, but it's more of a thick, hydrating skin cream than a mask.  My skin looked amazing when I woke up in the morning, so this product is a winner for me.  Each packet is for a single use.

13.  Frankincense Essential Oil  $15.75  -  I use lots of essential oils in my daily routine, mostly for scenting my home naturally and for cleaning, but frankincense is one oil that I love to use in my skincare routine.  I put a few drops of this in my DIY makeup setting spray, as well as mix a drop or two with my moisturizer or serum when my skin needs a little pick-me-up.  There are lots of brands and options out there, but this is the brand that I use.  

So there you have it!  What's currently in your beauty bag?  Do you use any of these products or have others that you think I should try?  Let me know in the comments!  



    

My Favorite Cozy Fleece Twist Front Top

I'm finally getting around to posting this little photo shoot my hubby did for me in the fall.  This is one of my favorite tops in my closet.  I've had it for over a year, and I still find myself reaching for it all the time.  It does run big, so you may want to size down.  I'm wearing a small in the pictures, but wish I had XS.   






Twist Front Top  /  Jeans  /  Bucket Bag  /  Watch  /  Bracelet

Clearly I'm not the only one who loves this top, because Gibson has come out with these fleece tops in all different styles and colors this year.  I'm wearing the twist front version, but you can shop all the different Gibson styles here or scroll through below.


I've been down and out with the flu all week long, and I'm so happy to FINALLY be feeling better.  I honestly don't think I've ever been that sick before.  I couldn't even sleep because my entire body just hurt.  Now I'm praying my kids and husband don't catch it!  Maybe it's just me, but taking care of my husband when he's sick might actually be worse than being sick myself.  He's the most whiny and needy "patient" ever!  We always joke that when he's sick, I load him up on Nyquil just so he'll go to sleep and leave me alone for a few hours!  We're supposed to attend my workplace's Holiday Gala tomorrow night, and I'm so bummed that we aren't going.  I always love an excuse to get really dressed up.  I'm worried I'll still be contagious and definitely don't want to spread this horrible virus onto anyone else, so we're just going to grab a movie and stay in.  Anyone have any suggestions?  It's been WAY too long since we've seen a good movie!