Top Date Night Essentials You Need

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I asked my sister to describe me in one word. I was expecting awesome, funny, intelligent, loving, or maybe happy.

She chose prepared. Prepared! I wanted something cool, like, well, cool. But she's right--I've accepted my fate. I'm admittedly the person you call when you need something, if you're in a crisis, or possibly a zombie attack. 

I carry this sense of being prepared for any situation into what I literally carry, like in my bag. Recently I took my prepared self to Walmart to stock up on some date night essentials: 

And here's what I picked up:

But that's just a sneak peek of what I use, so let's check out the Top Date Night Essentials You Need.

-Mints or Gum

• I think for a date night, this goes without saying. Everyone needs these. All the time.

-Advil Tablet Vial

• I get these in the travel section and prefer this small container. Use Advil tablets for headaches, minor arthritis and other joint pain, muscle aches and pains of the common cold. 

-Phone Battery

• Because every single blind date I've ever been on has been awful, I make sure my phone is charged and has a back up, so I can arrange to cut the night short. #sorrynotsorry

-ChapStick Total Hydration

• Soft hydrated lips are a part of my daily life, so date night is no exception! 
• This one is 100% natural so lips are always kissable.

-Artificial Sweetner

• I might be prepared, but being graceful is definitely not me. I use this when I notice a grease spot from a food accident on my shirt or pants. Pour it on and allow it to set and it will soak up the oil. Wipe away.
• I also will use this to make a quick sugar scrub on my hands with a little soap.

-Nexium 24HR

• Because heartburn happens, y'all. May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Use as directed.

-Lip Liner

• This one is surprising, right? The color lasts longer than a gloss or some lipstick finishes, and won't melt, should I accidentally leave it in the car. I add the ChapStick Total Hydration on top of it. I keep it in a neutral color that goes with everything.
• Be sure to fill in the entire lip.

-Hand Sanitizer

• I'm a germaphobe!

-A Cute Clutch

• Throw these items in, along with my wallet, phone and keys, and I'm set for date night! Red is my COLOR, y'all.

What are your date night essentials?

Extra Elle:

• Getting my hair done today--one of my fave things ever.
• I'm trying to get exactly 1.5 million (slight exaggeration) things done before I leave for my trip back home. Wish me luck that I get them done! #stressed

10 Beauty DIY Ideas for Valentine's Day

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Time for a roundup of just a few of my favorite beauty diy recipes for Valentine's Day! The best part is that these can be used for any time of year. Let's get into the list:

DIY Heart Funfetti Fizzies--The first bath bomb recipe I shared! These are heart-shaped and have  fun confetti surprise inside.

DIY Bubblegum Lip Scrub--Because who wants to pay those Lush prices? Your lips and wallet will thank you!

Beauty DIYs With Valentine's Day Roses--Have you ever wondered what to do with those roses? Instead of throwing them out, give one of these 6 recipes a try.

DIY Chocolate Bath Salts--You won't believe how easy these are to make!

DIY Macaron Bath Bombs--How adorable are these? I mean seriously!

DIY Chocolate Sugar Scrub--Your skin will be soft and smell amazing!

DIY Cupcake Bath Bombs--These make the cutest gifts and are always a hit!

DIY Solid Perfume--You probably have everything you need to make this! This recipe was published  in a magazine because it's that good!

DIY Cherry Ice Cream Solid Sugar Scrub--Looks like the real thing and is a twist on the regular sugar scrub. Great for travel, too.

DIY Chocolate Body Butter--No description needed!

BONUS: Sweet ideas for your Sweetheart and over 50 CHEAP DATE IDEAS! These have been used in marriage seminars nationwide--my first "big" post I ever did!

Extra Elle:

• Got my hair done yesterday so of course I had to go out to dinner and to Target to take my new 'do for a spin. I just couldn't go back home and waste a good hair day! I managed to not buy a thing either. I must be sick! #itsjustallergies #denial

New Mom Makeup (Day & Date Night)

I've got 2 looks for you today, and both of them are perfect for new moms. CONGRATS! In fact, this is a reader request! And the best part? Anyone can wear them! Enjoy!

Daytime

• At some point you're going to leave the house, whether it's for a doctor appointment or lunch with a friend. And while no one needs to wear makeup, it certainly makes me feel a little better and more put together.  This is a great go-to look for those days when you're rushed and/or want something easy, without a lot of coverage. Those new to makeup will love this.
• I'm not a new mom, but I have taken care of so many kids. In fact, I'm the one my friends call when they have questions about kids or babies. So if I can apply this while feeding a teething 9 month old (who won't eat her food but thinks she can eat my entire bagel) and while trying to get a 5 year old ready for school (who says she can't go because she needs to write a letter to scientists to find out why ladybugs don't live longer) and on only two and a half hours of sleep, anyone can!

-5 minutes:

• BB cream (my dry skin loves the Garner one) or CC Cream (It Cosmetics makes a nice one) will moisturize skin and protect it from the sun.
• Lip crayon--the easiest way to apply color to your lips. Keep one in your bag for an instant pop of color. I love the ones from Revlon, Jordana, and Neutrogena.

-10 minutes:

• BB cream and concealer, like the Hidden Agenda palette from Sonia Kashuk.
• Curl lashes and add mascara
• Blush--having color on my cheeks always makes me look more awake. I really like the cheek stains from Tarte since they look so natural.
• lip crayon

-15 minutes:

• all of the above, but throw in the Urban Decay Naked Basics palettes. They have 2 and I like either of them. Add one of the lighter colors to your lids to make your eyes look more awake, and then sweep a darker shade, like Naked 2 or Faint into the crease. Apply the darkest shade onto your lash line instead of using eyeliner. I use what's left on my brush (or Qtip) and apply it to my lower lash line. (SEE PIC BELOW)

makeup done in 8 minutes with 2.5 hrs of sleep

Date Night:

• Yes! You are going out and you want to look extra special. This look can easily be done in 15 minutes or fewer. Video for this look is down below.
• My reader requested a date night look with shadow, so I'm going to show you how to fake a smokey eye!

-You've got to moisturize. I know, having a skin care routine is the furthest thing from your mind right now, but lack of sleep really does a number on your skin. Keeping it hydrated really helps. For daytime I've been loving philosophy hope in a jar renew and for night (especially in winter) I've been obsessed with the Miracle Skin Transformer Night version.

-To save time, and since you probably won't be out for long, I will be skipping all primers, but use if you'd like.

• Shadow: I apply shadow first, before foundation. I do this in case I have fall out from my shadows. I don't want them to get on my face after applying foundation--more clean up time.
• Using the Naked Basics again (try Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Matte for a cheaper option) we are simply going to walk through the palette and increase the intensity of color. Apply a light color to lids.
• Use a crease brush to apply Naked 2 to my crease. Then I add Faint to the outer third of my lid. Using a pencil brush, I apply the darkest shade in my outer V and blend it out. I use what's left on my brush and apply it under my bottom lash line. Pop the lightest shade onto the middle of your lids for a bit of shine.
• Eyes: Add liner (or use the shadow trick used in the Daytime look), curl lashes and add mascara.
• Foundation: I used Bare Minerals Brightening Serum foundation, but L'Oreal Dream Match Lumi also makes a nice one. I used these to add some glow to the skin without being glittery. I'm skipping highlight, so I chose these foundations to give me glow.
• Concealer and Powder: I used the Ben Nye Concealer Wheel palette, but the SK mentioned earlier is great, too.
• For brows, I used Benefit Gimme Brow, since it's just one step and saves time.
• Blush: It's winter and it's a nighttime look, so I chose the darker MAC Desert Rose. Wet N Wild has a lighter version, Mellow Wine, that is only a couple of bucks.
• Lips: I want the lips to last through dinner, a movie, and a smooch or two (hey, it's date night!) so I've been loving the new Rimmel Provocalips. 

And here's the video of the look above (I like how I look in the video better than these pics turned out. I blame it on the camera woman--me--being tired):

Congrats to all the new moms out there!

PS: I suggest making a Beauty To Go Kit to make getting ready even easier!

Date Night on the Cheap!

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It's time for DATE NIGHT! But what to do? Another dinner and a movie? Boring. Fly to Paris? I wish--too expensive! No need to fret--Elle Sees has plenty of ideas to make your next date night a fun and cheap experience!

Home Alone

• Dine al fresco (or picnic inside)! Two of my good friends actually picnicked on a median (!) in the middle of a non-busy street. People honked and waved as they did so. Unusual, right?
• Camp outside! Put up the tent outside and make the s'mores.Or even camp indoors!
• Cook dinner together. Feed each other some of it.
• Dress up, cook dinner, and have "restaurant night" at home (or take out!). 
• Read poetry to each other over a delicious dessert.
• Have a party for 2 at home--you decide the theme!
• Shut off all electric devices (including lights). Candles only. Have fun.
• Make it a music night & an instant dance party! Include some slow songs.
• Slumber party...party of 2 that is! Rent movies (preferably a scary movie with the lights off!) & pop the popcorn. Or rent a movie you've never seen or heard of!
• Boardgames & card games & video games--include cheap prizes
• Show a movie outside under the stars (rent a projector & put up a sheet as your screen.)
• Rediscover your hometown. Be a tourist! Do all of the touristy things you never thought you'd do. There are some hidden gems in even the smallest of towns!
• Go to different spots in your city and have strangers take your picture. Make a photo album or scrapbook of the day.
• Make breakfast together.
• Go to the closest big city and do the touristy things there. Take silly pics while you're at it!
• If the weather's nice, get a cheap wading pool, fashion a chaise out of pallets, and mix a drink for instant oasis.
• Set up a little spa area--complete with a DIY pedi! Light the candles and relax. Give each other massages.
• Or create your own beach retreat!
• Star gaze.

Get Out

• Relive your first date (or recreate as closely as possible).
• Mystery date! One person plans everything. Be sure to switch off next time.
• Do a restaurant crawl. Have a drink at one restaurant, appetizers at another, main course somewhere else, and finish with dessert at the last place. Or do it in reverse!
• Go to a dive bar and play darts or pool.
• Grab brunch.
• Listen to a poetry reading or improv comedy!
• Meet at a bar independently & flirt like you've never met.
• Go to a free outdoor concert (or any concert).
• Karaoke...if you dare!
• Visit the zoo, fair, carnival, or aquarium.
• Go to a flea market, garage sale, or antique shopping
• Get a hotel for the night in your town! Can't afford that? Do a house-swap with friends for a night! Or stay in your guest room in your own house!
• Roadtrip! Even if it's a ride to nowhere in particular.
• Most museums are cheap or free once a month. Dress up & go visit!
• Do a cocktails & canvas (or any type of class) together. Many are super cheap!
• Volunteer together.
• Take dance lessons--youtube, restaurants, clubs, or dance studios.
• Universities always have student art shows. Go visit and maybe you might find something awesome--for cheap!
• Listen to the orchestra (local or university) or watch a play.
• There are plenty of Fall Festivals this time of year!
• Test drive a car.
• Grab a sweet dessert to share or a coffee.
• Go to a store and challenge each other to find a really sweet/creative/romantic gift for $10 or $20.

Childhood Games

• Play a boardgame, card game, video game.
• Fly a kite.
• Blow bubbles.
• Go bowling.
• Pick local produce (fruits or veggies) together. (Did y'all ever do that as a school field trip?)
• Go hiking.
• Fingerpaint!
• Put together a puzzle.
• Draw with chalk.
• Go rollerskating/blading either outside or at the local skating rink.
• Visit an arcade and challenge each other.
• Have a watergun fight.
• Play on the playground--have a picnic there, swing on the swings or chase each other around.
• Play a sport together or take a lesson on it.
• Into sports? Watch the kids play locally. Or support a local sports team--no matter how bad they are.

Do you have any cheap date ideas NOT listed above? Please share in the comments!

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