beauty & a blog

Three years ago, I embarked on the biggest journey of my entire life and discovered a place full of happiness, memories, friendship and laughter.  I couldn't have possibly asked for a better college experience thus far.  I've taken the most interesting classes, made the best friends, did some major soul-searching and had some of the most fun I've ever had.  From football games to sailing on Lake Mendota, I think it's safe to say that Madison is the greatest place on earth.   Going into senior year, I'm excited for a whole year of endless memories, but I'm also terrified of moving on.  Terrified that I won't as happy and content as I am now.  Terrified that I won't love my job...or won't even have a job.   Who knows what the future holds, but if it is anything close to the pleasant surprise of my UW experience, I think I'll be set.   Right now, I'm just going to make the most of my senior year of college and take nothing for granted.  Th

As journalists, we don't live the most glamorous lives.  In fact, most likely our "pockets are on a diet" as 2 Chainz would so eloquently say.  Meaning, right out of college we don't get jobs- we get internships.   Unpaid internships. In New York City, the most expensive city to live in.  So why, you might ask, would one pursue a degree in this "dying field?" Where do I even start?  1. You get to retweet yourself.   You can have multiple Twitter accounts for your different internships, blogs, classes, etc. and get the thrill of retweeting yourself without judgement from others because it's all part of your job.  2. You have twice as many followers. Speaking of Twitter-and all social media for that matter- you have twice as many followers because half of them are you. The account you're in charge of for your club follows you, your multiple blog accounts follow you, your account you made for a class follows you.  No one has to know the secret to

In case you missed it, the final episode of the Bachelor can be summed up in one word: uncomfortable. If you don't care at all about the show, skip to the summary. If you want to relive the painfully awkward moments continue on.  Usually it's all about love, but this time proves...unique. First, the secret Juan Pablo and Clare conversation happened, followed by the awkward encounter with JP's family who pretty much told both girls that he is anything but husband material. Then, for the final rose ceremony, Clare spills out her heart to Juan Pablo only to be denied.  And it only goes downhill from there. Nikki tells JP she loves him, in which he responds "I'm not going to propose to you even though I have the ring in my pocket. I like to a lot, though," and winks.   I honestly don't know which is worse. The fact that he didn't say he loved her even when Nikki was waiting to hear those words or the fact that he winked at her.   Photo via E! News

Earlier in the year I said that as my New Year's Resolution, I was going to write down something that I've learned every day so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites since the dawn of 2014.  1. Pay for parking. I didn't know that this was a thing...until I got a $40 parking ticket. I mean, yeah, I knew you should pay, but I didn't think people actually checked if you did or not. It's like that 300 person lecture at 8:50 a.m. You should  go but how do they expect you to actually make it to that? It's not like the professor is checking your attendance.  These types of things are made to make you feel good about doing something; you should feel good about making it to class on Friday, not ashamed that you missed it yet again. You should feel good if you remember to throw down a couple bucks to pay to use a slack of cement for a couple of hours, not obligated to pay. Apparently, that diligent parking patrolman didn't agree with this philosophy.   So

Yesterday evening, our favorite stars strutted down the Red Carpet at the Golden Globes in the hottest trends of the season.  Check out my favorite looks as well as where to get them- so you'll shine like the stars even without their paychecks.   The Black Dress  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/12/golden- globes-red-carpet-2014_n_4499470.html#slide=3313616 http://www.tobi.com/product/50193- tobi-diana-strapless-bodycon-dress?color_id=67207 There were so many hot black dresses this year, but the one that really caught my eye was Sophia Vegara's.   Pair this dress from Tobi with a bold statement necklace to complete the look and turn it from Red Carpet to after-party-ready for only $58.    The Pink Bodycon  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/12/ golden-globes-red-carpet-2014_n_4499470.html#slide=3313048   Turn heads like  Maria Menounos  in a hot pink dress. Make it a bodycon, cut the length and voila- you've also cut the price.

It's hard to believe that beauty & a blog is now officially ONE years old!!! I was feeling pretty nostalgic on New Year's because last year I had the opportunity to go to the Rose Bowl.  Not only was I warm in California (like WHAT are these negative 50 degree temperatures?!) but I also got to watch my beloved Bagders in the biggest game of the season.   http://parisnightsandnewyorklights. tumblr.com/post/71375360010 Naturally, I traced back my very first blog post to help me reminisce of the days of Santa Monica Beach and trying to navigate West Hollywood in 5 inch heels.   It was titled "We're Doin' It Live" in honor of our adventures in Cali.   We had absolutely no plans.  We just went for it.  And we had the time of our lives.   Our only goals were to not get lost and to not die.  Miraculously, we managed to pull both of those off.  Maybe it was because of the couple's advice we shared our taxi from the airport with- "don't eve

Wanna get curls like Ashley Benson?  Uhh...does the bear sh@* in the woods? (the answer is yes.)  Follow Monica Hendrickson on YouTube for more videos. 

Make 2014 your most stunning year yet with Monica's beauty favorites.   Urban Decay Naked Basics Pallet    Perfect neutral pallet of eye-shadows. Very bendable &pigmented. Can be worn from day to night. Maybelle Baby Lips in Cherry Me   Moisturizing lip balm with a sheer tint of cherry red- the perfect balm with a touch of color. Revlon Lip Gloss in Berry Allure   Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara Coats every lash with fullness and volume. Will look beautiful on everyone! Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara   Exploding with volume. This mascara works especially well on the bottom lashes because of  its smaller applicator. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara Sonia Kashuk Bronzer in Golden   Lightweight gorgeous bronzer will have skin glowing. Will work with every skin tone to achieve a beautiful sun-kissed glow. L'Oreal True Match Lumi Light to medium coverage, designed for dry/normal skin & has a wide range of shades to c

I remember every day when my dad got home from work, he would sit at the kitchen table and have dinner.  When I strolled  crawled    through the kitchen after a tough soccer practice the first thing he would ask was the dreaded question: "so what did you learn at school today?" Time after time, I would answer "nothing".  Little Miss Sassy, everybody.  Thinking back, I realize that 1) I had a serious case of teenage angst and 2) I actually did learn something important every day even if it wasn't necessarily related to school, which is still true to this day.   In 2014, I want to make a mini "book" of all the things I learn each day because often times I learn something and then forget it months later when I could really use that advice.  It'll be like my very own guide to life- some funny, some serious, some educational, some fun.   http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals /22/82/c7/2282c76049fc1ff9c2039ba87143e7f0.jpg For example: &