YouTuber(s) of the Month: The Sacconejolys!

Sunday 30 August 2015


Photo Credit: Pinterest
Anna Saccone Instagram
Anna Saccone Blog
I have been watching this amazing family for over a year now and I haven't missed a single day! Jonathon and Anna are daily-vlogger's who document their everyday lives with their two children, Emilia and Eduardo. They have been on YouTube for over five years now, which means they have shared some of the most precious moments of their lives with us. Get your tissues ready before you watch their proposal, wedding, the birth of their two children and their first birthdays. And trust me, there are some seriously teary moments!

They are also incredibly inspirational people who push their viewers (well, they call us friendliest friends!) to work hard and follow our dreams no matter what. What I love most about the Sacconejolys is how they teach you to cherish the little moments in life. As Jonathon says, the big moments come in time themselves, but it's the small things that make you smile and that are important. Believe me, their videos will give you so many reasons to smile! I'm warning you now that they will melt your heart, make you smile for at least 15 minutes a day, and teach you to be a kinder friend. Also if you needed another reason to tune in, Eduardo is talking a lot now so you don't want to miss out on his cuteness!
Check out their channel here.

My Personal Favorite Videos:
Surprising Anna's Mom on her birthday
 Emilia's second birthday ft. Zoe and Alfie   
 First Christmas with Emilia and Eduardo
Emilia learns to walk
Emilia worrying about Dad

Watch their channel trailer below!

Who are some of your favorite YouTuber's? I'd love some recommendations!
Until next time x.


Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph
Twitter - @MarvelSteph91
Instagram - @marvelsteph
 Pinterest - marvelsteph

10 Things II Week 4

Thursday 27 August 2015


Hello, Everyone!
Time for another weekly favorites. I had a bit of a tough week as I transitioned from holiday-mode back into work and thinking about future plans. Nevertheless I still had a good week, and I hope you guys did too! 

Here are my Top Ten Favorites from the past week:

1. Current Anthem. You all know I love a good pop song. Hailee was awesome in Pitch Perfect 2 so I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next. Love Myself  is about being proud of yourself and putting you first, and all that good stuff.

2. Welcome Home Gift to Myself. I made the brilliant decision to order the next Raven Boys book, The Dream Thieves, before I left for Hawaii. After ten hours of the most uncomfortable sleep and my body not reacting well to air travel, a new book was much needed to lift my spirits.

3. Blog to Follow. I stumbled upon this lovely blog by Rebecca called FromRoses on Bloglovin', and I couldn't stop reading! She gives amazing blogging advice and great life-style posts. Go show her some love here

4. One Direction Drag Me Down Music Video. I mean, they filmed it at NASA! How cool is that? Watch it here.

5. Fandom Life is the Coolest. Can we just take a moment to thank the internet for being able to let like-minded people come together to support something? I have next to no friends who share my passions, so I am forever grateful for our internet community.

6. Currently Reading. I took Matched by Ally Codie on vacation with me and it's so good! Dystopian novels are my greatest weakness. Read about it on Goodreads.

7. Back to the Gym. I know, I'm nuts right? BUT since getting back from my vacation, in which I ate too many delicious yet bad foods, I am more determined than ever to get back into shape and keep up my fitness.

8. Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Contour Kit. One of my favorite beauty purchases and a must for me every morning now. It gives my eyes amazing definition, which is great for someone like me when wears glasses!

9. Mango Berry Protein Smoothie. My current favorite post-work out treat. Just add mango, frozen berries, lemon juice, berry protein powder (I use this one) and coconut water, yum!

10. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser. You know what the most dangerous part of Sephora is? All the minis they sell as you walk through the check out. I couldn't ignore this and I've heard so much about First Aid Beauty that I just had to give it a go and I love it!

I hope you guys had a great week! Can you believe it's almost September?! 
Let me know what you've been loving lately in the comments.
Don't forget to leave you blog links for me to check out too. 
Until next time x. 

Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph
Twitter - @MarvelSteph91
Instagram - @marvelsteph
Pinterest - marvelsteph

Sephora Haul + More!

Monday 24 August 2015

 

  
Hello, Everyone! 
As some of you will know, I recently went on vacation to Hawaii and seeing as New Zealand doesn't stock a lot of beauty brands, I was quite keen to deplete my savings account. I hit the drug stores and spent WAY too long in Sephora, and I'm pretty happy with my purchases. 
Here's what I bought:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer

Milani Powder Blush - #08 Tea Rose

Benefit They're Real Mascara - Black

 Benefit They're Real Push up Liner - Brown and Purple

Rimmel 60sec Nail Polish - #503 "Mind the Gap Victoria"

Benefit Hello Flawless Powder - Honey

Benefit Gimme Brow

Benefit Brow Zings - Light

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment - Tulip 

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - Light/Medium

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation - Biege

Milani Lipstick - #20 Uptown Mauve #43 Pretty Natural 

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Contour Kit

Sephora Powder Brush - #43


Let me know in the comments what brands you love and also if you have any recommendations please send them my way too! 
Don't forget to leave your blog links for me to check out as well
Talk to you guys next time! x. 

 (P.S I'm sorry my photos are coming out blurry! I'm currently trying to fix it)
Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph
Twitter - @MarvelSteph91
Instagram - @marvelsteph
Pinterest - marvelsteph
 


My Carry-On Bag

Thursday 20 August 2015


 Hello, everybody!
So, I'm one of these weird people who actually loves to pack. Always have, and I would probably pack for anyone else who didn't want to do it. After spending a month traveling to various cities in America I quickly learned what to bring on flights. Since I recently went on a mid-winter vacation I thought I would share what I took with me. I kept it simple this time, especially since it was a day flight and I would just end up watching movies anyway. Hopefully this helps anyone who might be traveling soon or those who hate thinking about what to pack! 
For my flight to Hawaii I split my carry-on items into two bags:
  • Backpack - It is so much easier to carry one of these instead of a heavy shoulder bag. Everything in here is pretty much anything that I didn't want to put in my check-in bag in case it got damaged or lost e.g my camera(s). 
  • Tote bag - I put everything in this one that I might need during the flight for easy access. You could just as easily use you handbag, but my laptop wouldn't fit in my backpack so I needed something bigger.


 Backpack
After lugging a ridiculously heavy shoulder bag around America for a month I was determined to take a backpack with me instead for my trip. I bought this one from Kathmandu when it was on sale, and I love it because it has double security with a zip and the buckles so I feel safer. Plus, it's the perfect size to fit everything I need, without being too big and bulky. To keep my camera nice and safe I also bought this camera bag insert from Aliexpress for super-cheap and it fits perfectly.


Tote Bag Items


Notebook/Pens
You never know when an idea will strike you, so I like to keep this close throughout the flight. This is also my "List Journal" so I would be pretty upset and lost if it disappeared with my check-in bag.

Octopus Hair clip
I always like to have my hair up when I travel, although I usually wait until I get onto the plane since it's my lazy Sunday hairstyle. I just have to say how much I love this hair-clip! It's a lot easier than using a hair tie, as you can get all of you hair on top of you head and it won't dig into you as you watch movies or try to sleep.
 Instax Camera 
These are so much fun to take on holiday, but it was definitely not going in my check-in bag in case it got damaged. I just brought it with me for safe keeping and since I won't need it on the flight I kept this in my backpack with my DSLR camera.
Reading Material
It's my own little tradition to buy and bring a new book with me when I travel. Matched has been sitting on my Book Depository wishlist for such a long time, and it's turned out to be a great read so far! If you enjoyed the Delirium series, you'll enjoy this book!
 


Itouch and Headphones
 I know, this is basic survival, right? I always make sure to bring my own headphones on flights with me, since I tend to watch a lot of movies. I like having my Itouch handy in case I need to quickly write something or I feel like listening to my own music. I also ended up editing blog photos on my flight, so it made my time productive too!


In-flight Skin care 
I kept it nice and simple for this flight. My current favorite hand cream by Palmer's, EOS Lip Balm, Lush Ultrabalm, leave-in hair conditioner, and my Neutrogena Naturals Night Cream in a small pottle. I made sure to bring my favorite products that are super-moisturizing and make me feel comfortable during the flight, which is very important. I kept it all in a clear make-up bag that I got at Walmart last year, they make travel so easy!


Just-in-case Essentials 
If you hadn't guessed by now, I'm one of these people who likes to be prepared for anything. This little black bag is usually always with me in a handbag and since my bag can get cluttered with all kinds of stuff it makes things a bit more organized. This bag includes ear plugs, spare headphones, mints, Rescue Pastilles for anxiety, band aids and single glass cleaner wipes. Believe me when I say that there's usually more, but I toned it down for the flight.

Apart from the other necessities like my wallet, passport, and sunglasses, that's about all I brought with me on my flight! Here are a few more flying and packing tips:
  • Keep it simple when you pack your bags, but make sure you have things with you to make sure you're comfortable.
  • Write out a quick list the week before you leave and keep going back to it as you think of more things you might need, or cross off the things you don't. 
  • Always buy water to bring on the plane with you. Depending on how long your flight is, buying a sports drink like Powerade or Gatorade is great for quick hydration. 
  • Rolling your clothes instead of folding them really does save you room in your bag.
  • Bring a light scarf with you when you fly since planes can get cold, and it can also double as a pillow if you want to try get some sleep. 
  • If you want to get your hot meal before everyone else on the flight order the vegetarian option. They're still delicious and worth the envious looks from other passengers. I've usually finished mine before they start serving the standard meals. 
If you have any thoughts or tips on packing/flying leave them in the comments, I'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to leave me your blog link too =)

Until next time x. 
Bloglovin' - MarvelSteph
Twitter - @MarvelSteph91
Instagram - @marvelsteph
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10 Things II Week 3

Tuesday 11 August 2015


 1. Holiday Fashion. It's the perfect time to experiment with your look and try something new. For some reason it just gives me so much more confidence. Love it!

2. YouTube Video. One of my favorite YouTuber's Jack Howard is back to uploading videos again (woohoo!) and he did his first Q and A. I absolutely love his sense of humor and his videos always cheer me up. Plus, he loves Marvel movies just as much as me! Check out the video here.

3. Cauliflower Pizza. I know, it's not quite the same as a thin base BUT I found a recipe that is super easy and delicious. Plus, it's fun to try things every once in a while! Get the recipe here 

4. Deadpool Trailer. I'll admit I had my doubts about Ryan Reynolds, but he has proven me wrong and this movie looks so good! Slightly more gritty than Marvel's usual movies, but the humor will probably make up for it. Watch it here.

5. Google Shopping. Am I the last person to notice this feature? Now you can search for whatever item you wish to buy online and it will tell you prices to compare and where you can buy them. It's definitely is going to save us a lot of time!


6. The Desire for More Tattoos. I have already had four done, one of which I only got a few months ago and I go through phases of wanting to get more. I've had some ideas in my head for ages now, so I am determined to get them done when I'm back from my holiday. Makes me very excited!

7. Demi Lovato. She has become one of my major role models this year, so when they released her cover for Cosmopolitan magazine I thought she looked stunning! I love the way she handled the hate she got for it too (I'm not even sure why people made a big deal about it?) Her being confident and embracing who she is gives me confidence as a woman too.

(Photo credit: Billboard)

 8. Packing for Hawaii. I can't be the only person on the planet who loves packing, right? Everyone seems to hate doing it, but I find it fun! Not sure if it's just the OCD organizer in me, or if it makes me get into that excited holiday mind-set. I do restrain myself and only do it the day before.

9. Quote of the week. I'm always on the lookout for new quotes that motivate me, change the way I think, or help me understanding something better. I have a Pinterest board full of them if you'd like to read more. Here's my favorite one I found this week:
Photo Credit: http://www.upperlyne.com/


10. Sunset on Waikiki Beach. I mean, is there anything better? Everyone deserves to experience it. Make sure to put it on your bucket-list!


How was your week? What were the best bits? Let me know in the comments x. 

Twitter - @MarvelSteph91
Instagram - @marvelsteph
Pinterest - marvelsteph

My Top 5 Lipsticks

Friday 7 August 2015




Hello, everybody! 
 Lip products are probably my favorite beauty item to shop for and experiment with. I love bold colors, especially since it's still pretty cold here. Berry tones are definitely my favorite through autumn and winter. Now that it's warming up for spring I'm definitely reaching for more pink and rose tones. 
Here's my current top 5 lipsticks:


Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick "Watermelon"
 I spent A LOT of time on the Sephora website before I traveled to America last year, and this was probably the product I was set on finding most (apart from my Naked 3 palette, of course!). This shade is a peachy-red and is perfect for spring and summer. It goes on like a dream and the packaging is just beautiful.


Rimmel Moisture Renew #360 "As you want Victoria"
 I can't tell you how much I love this range from Rimmel. They're super pigmented and are the perfect mix of a lipstick and lip balm. If you're looking for a statement color that won't dry out your lips, this one is for you. Fun fact: I once got stopped on the subway in New York by a boy when I wore this lipstick, coincidence?


Rimmel Kate Moss #01 "Vogue" 
This was one of the first lipsticks I bought after getting back into make-up. I'm pretty sure it was a Zoella recommendation from one of her older videos. I own quite a few shades of red, most of which are quite bright. I like to call this one my "sexy" red, perfect for your next date night!


Rimmel Moisture Renew #400 Berry Queen
 What can I say, Rimmel make great lipsticks! I picked this one up at sale a few months ago and it quickly became a favorite of mine. I tend to use this when I want just a touch of color, and because of how moisturizing the texture is, it's super easy to get the right amount. 


Barry M "Genie"
I saved the best for last! One of my favorite YouTuber's Carrie Hope Fletcher was given one of these by a viewer and she shared it in a video. If there was ever a lipstick to stand out in your collection, this is the one. Green lipstick, really? BUT the magic happens when you apply it, because it actually goes on a gorgeous pink. I quite often use this as an everyday lipstick, since the pink is quite subtle and it lasts well. Buy it here.  

Let me know in the comments what your favorite lipsticks are, or what brands you prefer
Don't forget to leave your blogs for me to check out!
Until next time x.

July Playlist

Wednesday 5 August 2015



 Hey guys! I'm back with another playlist. I struggled slightly with finding new music this month, thankfully some of my favorite artists came through with new singles. I rediscovered so old favorites too. Don't forget to let me know what's been on your music playlist through July, I would love some recommendations!



For being proud of who you are, and having a bit of fun dancing at the same time

This is such a fun song, makes me feel a bit like a teenager again (in a good way!) 

These boys. A seriously well-thought out song, best surprise ever. New album soon please!

If you loved Uptown Funk, you will adore this! A ridiculously fun song that will make you love Jazz music all over again. 

This one has been on repeat since it came out this month. I absolutely love the direction Demi is going with her music.
Selena Gomez and the Scene - Naturally
 Revisiting an old favorite. This song played at the gym one day and I couldn't resist going home and listening to it again. 
Taylor Swift - Welcome to New York
I've spent many a day dreaming of what things could be like if I just work hard. This song is great motivation, let me tell you! 

What have you guys been listening to lately?
 



10 Things II Week 2

Sunday 2 August 2015

I hope you guys have had a great week! Can you believe we are in August already? It was a pretty roller-coaster week for me, but there were still some great things that happened.
Here are my weekly favorites:

1. Animals in Flower-crowns. This cheers me up every single time.

(Photo credit: Instagram)

(Photo credit: Pinterest)

2. Yay, Vitamin D! Even though it has barely gone above ten degrees, the sun has been shining all week. I'm so happy that we are getting closer to spring!

3. I got (another) new mug. I found this beauty on Mighty Ape and since I love Cinderella I couldn't resist getting it! Isn't your morning coffee better with a cool mug?

4. A Kind Stranger. Thank you to the window cleaner who comes into work and gave us all chocolate. You had no idea how bad a day I was having, anxiety levels were high. Chocolate is my savior. 

5. Favorite Blogger. I stumbled upon a lovely blog called A Yellow Brick Blog and I have really enjoyed reading it! If you love Disney and Beauty, you will love it too!

6. Perfect Eggs. Thanks to this Pinterst post I have now mastered making boiled eggs perfectly. Domesticated goddess in the making.

7. Throwback TV. I've been re-watching episodes of Chuck when I have some down-time and I never realized how much I missed it! Definitely in my top 5 TV shows. It gives me all the feels.

8. Drag Me Down. So One Direction decided to be sneaky and release a new song, and I love it!  New album next, yeah?

9. Thanks, Ingrid! I'm in need of make-up recommendations before I fly to Hawaii (I'm coming for you Sephora!) and her YouTube videos have been a life-savor. Plus, she's just so funny and sweet. Thanks for the help!

10.  New Headphones. A seriously cool design by a company called Slick. They have a tangle-free cord, they fold up so travel will be easy, plus I'm loving the neon orange color. They were also on sale for $15 (score!) Buy them here

Let me know in the comments what you got up to this week, and don't forget to leave you blog links for me to check out!
Until next time x.
Have a great week!