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Outfits

My Beauty Routine

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I went through the process of re-doing my room back in January and one of the things that I wanted to focus on in the space was a spot dedicated to beauty with a touch of fashion. I am no longer in school so I didn’t need a desk that held the function of books and supplies for homework etc. I decided to completely start fresh with a new desk and some beauty storage and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. I went for the “basic beauty guru’s” Alex drawers from Ikea as well as the matching desk. I must say that assembling both was more fun than I thought it was going to be!

I never realized how much makeup I actually have to utilize because I always kept most tucked away in the bathroom closet so with this change, its nice to have everything organized and within reach when I am trying to get ready for the day, Hair included. I have always been someone who gets ready at their desk so really re-vamping the focus of my desk space has been a game changer for me.

When it comes to make up I consider myself to have a decent mix between high end and drug-store products but usually find myself gravitating towards my drug-store gems for my everyday look at the office or for my relaxing weekends. I have found products that are truly my holy grails and I just love the overall look it gives me so I don’t really switch things up too much. Lately i’ve been branching out and trying different drug-store foundations and honestly haven’t found something that I love more than my current one so if you have any recommendations leave a comment below!

My first step is skin care

I start by taking my make up off with micellar water the night before, than I wash my face with the Olay Daily Facials. I find them to be so refreshing for my skin for that added cleanse and the convenience of the toilette form is right up my alley. I then spray myself with the Mario Badescu facial spray in the Lavender and Chamomile scent my sister got me for my birthday and I am ready for bed.

In the morning is when I use my Estee Lauder skin care products. I actually use their Advanced Night Repair serum in the morning after a specialist told me its really for day and night use. Followed by the Advance Night Repair Eye Serum. I especially love using this in the morning because it really de-puffs my eyes and makes them feel more open and ready for the day. Then I top it off with the Estee Lauder day wear moisturizer. I spray some Mario Badescu Rose water and let it all sink in and I am ready to start my make up routine.

For primer I use the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I received this product to test out and review and to be honest I used to love it but something has changed for me. I have purchased this myself in the past and absolutely loved, loved everything about it but that was a few years ago so the formula must have changed because I find that this one is nothing to brag about. It gets the job done tho so I am using it up for the time being… who knows maybe once its done i’ll miss it? I find that this primer gives my skin a matte finish after all that skin care making it ready to add foundation.

I use the Infallible Pro-Glow from L’oreal. I have always found the formula to be better than the Pro-Matte finish and I also find that it doesn’t oxidize nearly as much as the Pro-Matte does. Anyway, its a win from me and I have been using it consistently for almost a year now. I then follow up with my NARS Radiant Creamy concealer in Light 2 Vanilla and I love this stuff. I’m on like my third or fourth tube. It’s a little pricey but I find worth it. I will say that I always have a Maybelline concealer that I use when I don’t feel like wasting my NARS one. Lately my current favorite is the Superstay Better Skin and I am in the shade 10: Ivory. This is a great concealer and I find myself reaching for it more and more.

One thing I never skip or skimp out on is an eye shadow base. I have a lot of discoloration around my eyes so this, for me, just fixes everything up and makes it all one shade. It gives me that brightness I am looking for and more than half the time I don’t even wear eyeshadow with it. I use the NARS soft matte complete concealer for this, I am in the shade Light 2 Vanilla just like the Radiant Creamy one.

I set everything with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting powder, mostly used for setting my concealer on and around my eyes. Then I move to bronzer, blush, and highlight and for this I have so many favorites. My all-time favorite bronzer is the Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer because the smell and the shade are just so perfect but recently I have been loving this NARS “The Veil Cheek Pallette.” It gives you the in-famous Laguna bronzer which I love, blush in the shade Lovesick which is my favorite blush…It gives your cheeks the most gorgeous peachy glow and the Surreal highlighter which is very buildable if you so choose. I like the fact that its very sheer on the skin as I don’t really care for a flashy highlight for everyday.

Once that is done I focus on eyes. I use the Kat Von D tattoo liner in shade Mad Max Brown, the Ulta Amped Lashes mascara in Black Brown. For eyebrows I use The Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown and this product changed my life. If you don’t know me in real life or even if you do you might not know that I have a scar on my eyebrow. I hit my head on a glass table when I was three and ever since had this awful scar. Growing up, it was definitely an insecurity of mine and I never really found something that truly covered it all day long, no matter what until this product. Now its like …what scar? It stays on forever. There have been times I fall asleep with my makeup on (gross I know but it happens…) and I wake up and the product still hasn’t moved. This is my all time favorite, most essential piece of make up for me. If I have a no-makeup day I use this, put on some mascara, some chapstick and go.

For lips I really like a good brown nude. Lately though I haven’t been wearing more than a lip gloss. I like the fun pop it adds to my basic makeup. My favorite at the moment is MAC Crenesheen Glass in Right Image. The cutest bubbly pink that makes me so excited for spring. Lastly, I set my makeup with the Sephora Beauty Amplifier and I am ready for the day!

I have linked everything I could find below and If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message on Instagram! I love getting to interact with everyone.

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Outfits

Saturday Favorites & Life Update

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Good Morning Everyone!

It has most certainly been a while but needless to say January kicked my butt. I was sick four weeks in a row (with different things mind you…). In the midst of leaving my job to start another, then starting the new job and two hours in on my very first day being offered a better position at a different company who wanted me to start ASAP… All while having a new ceiling installed in my room and under-going a redesign. This just goes to show you that life doesn’t care what you have going on it just throws things your way and it all has a way of working itself out. Now, if you had talked to me a few weeks ago I probably wouldn’t have come back to you with such a positive outlook but whats past is past and lets just be thankful its over now lol…

I have thought about my blog a lot over the past month and how I am going to manage something that I really enjoy doing with this new obligation of a 9-5 office job. I think I am just going to eliminate the pressure and just go with it. A lot of my influencer friends have told me it gets much better when you stop worrying about follows and likes on instagram. I don’t want to sound like a robot promoting myself on that platform anyway. If you know me IRL I actually find social media to be draining but I think that has to do with the fact that its so hard not to compare yourself with everyone around you. The pressure to post a lot, comment and engage with friends etc, the analytics of it with the forsaken “A” word ………….(Algorithm). At this point, I just can’t wrap my head around everything so I hope it leads me back to peace and love for the business of blogging.

Now on to some lighter things.

My Saturday favorites.

I have been reading a lot lately and so far I have two books that I absolutely love. In January I started reading along with Reese Witherspoon’s book club: here. I have been following along via her instagram as well as the book club’s instagram and so far I am really liking it. People get really into it over on Goodreads. I am not, personally but they seem to have a great community over there if that is something you are interested in. January’s book, The Last Mrs. Parrish was such a great read. Such an interesting story line and it gets to a point where you genuinely can’t put it down.

Another thing I have been enjoying is listening to Audiobooks in the car ride to and from work. I found that it really takes away the anxiety and mindless thought process that occurs while driving and gets you to focus and I find, really brightens my mood. I am currently reading Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden. I came across this book via social media somewhere and its not something I would typically go for but I love it. I do love listening to nonfiction books but memoirs I have never explored before. I love getting a peak into the former VP’s life and his perspective on things. Its a beautiful novel that has brought tears to my eyes and I am not even finished with it yet. I use Audible when listening to audiobooks and I especially love that Joe Biden himself narrates the book. You genuinely feel as if you’re in a room speaking with him and listening to his stories.

What would this blog post be without my current fashion favorites! I know there is a lot of stuff on sale right now for President’s Day so here are some of the things catching my eye right now.

Thats all I have for now since I am just getting back to the swing of things. With the tragedies going on in our country currently, I wanted to take this opportunity to send my thoughts and prayers to those affected and hope that everyone stays safe!

 

Outfits

Outfit Series: A Perfect Monogrammed Vest

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Hope everyone’s January is going well so far. I have had a busy month to say the least. I have a lot of cool things coming up towards the end of the month that I can not wait to get started on!

I am finally re-doing my room. (For those of you who don’t know me…I don’t really like my room.) Around 6 or 7 years ago I went through a very simple phase, decor-wise. I absolutely loved the way it turned out it was beautiful and elegant but I painted my walls a very dark purple and lets just say the room is not properly lit most of the day. It can get really annoying when I am trying to read, or get dressed, or do my make up… the list goes on… It is going to be so great having a new light color on the walls. I am most excited about the natural light coming through better. Painting the walls is the biggest change of this process, I have been planning for this room change since the summer-time so I have a lot of my decor already picked out and purchased ready to go. I am excited to see things come to life.

In other news I did a recent closet purge and man did it feel great to just be ruthless with myself and get rid of those pieces I wasn’t wearing anymore as well as the things that didn’t fit me quite right. I am going to try my best to cut down on shopping as its one of my resolutions for the year and I feel like I am at a great point in my wardrobe to really wear and love the pieces I already own.

One of the pieces that I grab on repeat is this reversible plaid monogrammed vest sent to me by Marley Lilly. It is always such a pleasure to work with them. I feel super blessed to be able to create content for a brand that I love. Their clothes are such great quality and anything with a monogram on it is right up my alley for sure.

The great thing about this vest is that it is reversible. Its a really great way to spruce up a plain old sweater and jeans look. This plaid in particular is one of my favorites and I find it complements the camel color side of the vest really well. Its a great neutral piece with a fun pop!

I had a matching scarf from target that I got like four or five years ago. Everyone always compliments me on it when I wear it, I wish they would bring it back its such a classic look but I had fun pairing the scarf with this vest. I kept the rest of the outfit simple because I really wanted the vest to be my statement. I am someone who LOVES turtlenecks so I paired my vest with this cream turtleneck sweater from Talbots, my usual jeans and riding boots. I absolutely love how both of these outfits turned out. So simple, classic, and timeless…perfect for the winter months!

I’ll link what I can below so you can score some of those after Christmas deals. Be sure to check out Marley Lilly they have such amazing, personalized pieces if you are looking for something to spend your Christmas money on or if you want to get a gift for a loved one…and the prices are amazing too! There is always a good deal on their site.

Lifestyle

2108 Goals!

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So I am sure you are seeing this post everywhere on social media but I couldn’t resist to hop on the band wagon as I am excited to get the new year going. I have done a lot of thinking the past few weeks about my own goals and how to go about accomplishing them. I think the biggest tip that I’ve learned is its all in the mindset. If you want change in your life thats the only way you are going to go about making it happen for yourself. Something to remember while creating your own resolutions is, your goals don’t have to be these big huge, life-changing things. If you break down your goals and make them more attainable you’ll be rewarded in the long run. Whether its a small change or a big change, any change brings you one step closer to where you want to be. You have to start where you see fit.

I think back to where I was at the start of 2017 and I am so impressed with the changes that I see in myself now. This year was a good one as far as my goals go. I for the most part stuck with them and see great improvement in myself. This year is about keeping things going, making little changes and increasing the momentum of things.

I narrowed it down to five goals..

1.Blogging Schedule: I have grown my blog in the past year and created higher quality content and for that I am grateful. I truly have learned so much this past year. It hasn’t been easy but its rewarding to look back on where you once were and see how far you’ve come. This year for me, is about creating more of a set schedule so that I don’t fall off the planet every so often. Life can be hectic, adding some structure will do me a world of good. There is just so much behind the scenes work in trying to grow your brand that readers don’t get to see, all of it can be hard to keep up with at times. Props to the bloggers who have awesome, authentic engagement and daily posts while managing a day job and other obligations. Teach me your ways haha…

I am going to focus on setting a daily social media and engagement routine as well as a set schedule for blog posts. I think if I pin point it all down to who I am going to be engaging with on a daily basis on instagram, facebook, pinterest, and twitter I can know where I am headed for the day and get the task done more efficiently. One of the bigger things that goes into this goal is sitting at my desk to get things done as opposed to laying in bed typing away. Day one and so far so good!

2. Fitness: 2017 was about figuring out that I enjoy going to the gym and I actually like working out. I remember some of my hardest days mentally were turned around by a great workout. My boyfriend Nick pushed me to go when I wasn’t feeling well and I thank him for that. I saw myself getting stronger physically and mentally. Towards the end of the year I have definitely fallen out of the routine of going to the gym. I think a lot of that was no longer having someone to go with as consistently now that my boyfriend and I are both out of college. I haven’t been feeling confident enough to go on my own so 2018 is about getting back in there and learning more so that I can feel confident enough to work out alone. Having a workout buddy is great but I don’t want to have to rely on another person’s schedule to get a work out in.

Another goal that I have set for myself within fitness is to use the app headspace and Meditate daily. I suffer from anxiety and I get overwhelmed easily. Though it is much better than it used to be I still have flare ups from time to time. I have tried meditation in a stress management class in college and I honestly hated it.. but I am going to give it another go. I have heard wonderful things so I think its time to try it out for myself.

3. Reading at least once a day/night: I have a love for audio books so I want to set time aside to either listen before bed or the car and/or physically reading a book. I am someone who mainly reads in the summertime, I blame school for that but now that school is done I want to take advantage of the extra time spent not doing homework to read more. Follow along on Goodreads to keep up with books I am reading!

4. Save Money: I have an issue with buying too many clothes. I think blogging feeds into that bad habit because as bloggers there is this pressure to share relevant things with readers. This year I am going to try to break the habit and wear what I have. A lot of my pieces are classic and timeless enough that I don’t need the newest version etc. I know I won’t be able to cut out buying clothes altogether but limiting myself to only the pieces I truly need like once a month is a good place to start!

5. Get a FULL TIME job: this goal is self explanatory. For those of you who don’t know I don’t have a full-time job yet since graduating college. It is something that weighs heavy on me because I don’t really know where to even begin. I know I don’t need to have things altogether right away so this year is about finding the right fit in the job department. Fingers crossed!

Outfits

The Perfect Jacket…s

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So as I am sure you see if you follow me on Instagram I am obsessed with my Barbour jackets this season. I may be a little biased since I do work for the company but I can’t say enough good things about this brand.

For me, wearing a jacket or a coat is an essential part of my outfit since I am someone who tends to run very cold. I probably take my Jackets more seriously than most but I like to ensure I am warm wherever I go. My all time favorite jacket is the Classic Beadnell Jacket. It comes in a variety of colors (as shown throughout this post) and gives you a lot of versatility with your wear. I wear this coat a lot indoors as well as outdoors. It is a fall and spring coat but with a liner you are good to go for the winter months. I’ve even worn mine in the snow. It does a good job at keeping you warm!

Styling the coat is probably the most fun for me. The jacket is easily dressed up and dressed down. I know I am going to be so excited to wear the jacket over skirts with rain boots when spring rolls around. I throw my coat over leggings and a big, comfy sweatshirt when I am running around doing errands or I use it as the perfect layering piece to my button-down/sweater combo. It is definitely an investment piece but you can’t go wrong. You will have your jacket for years and years to come.

I am someone who gravitates towards those classic, timeless pieces that never go out of style and the Barbour Beadnell is just that!

 

Outfits

Last Minute Gift Guide for Her!

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For the most part I am done with my holiday shopping, I think I may have one more thing on my list but hopefully I can get that crossed off today. December is truly flying by and I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed since last December. Definitely beginning to think of things I want to accomplish and how to get there in 2018. I can’t wait to see what the new year brings. Its crunch time in the gift giving department, next weekend is Christmas!! Here are some of the things on my radar that I believe would make a great gift for your special girl!

 

 

Outfits

Cyber Tuesday

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The stores have spoken and they are extending their Cyber Monday deals just one more day. I thought i’d share some of my picks from this sales. Some stuff I already own, some of it I have my eye on!

J.Crew: 40% off your purchase with code SHOPFAST

J. Crew Factory: 60% off everything no code needed

L.L. Bean: 20% off clothes and outerwear with code THANKS20

Express: 50% off everything!

Old Navy: 50% off everything!

Talbots: 40% off all sweaters, tops, accessories, and shoes

Happy Shopping!

Outfits

Giving Thanks

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Each year, around this time, I am always astounded with how much has changed since the year before. Always good changes…even if I am unable to see it at the time. I have learned that there is always going to be something that goes wrong (I still hate negative changes) but I am slowly learning its out of my control so I try not to be so afraid of it anymore. If you look hard enough there is something good that comes out of everything. I was just telling my boyfriend last night that I was so grateful for the bad relationship I was in back when I was 19 years old because without it, I wouldn’t have my cat, Minnie. If you know me in real life, Angela and Minnie are basically inseparable. She is a huge part of me and I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it. (I sound like a crazy cat lady LOL)

Over the summer I worked for a senior living facility. It was, hands down, the best job I had ever had in my life. I was in the activities department so basically I got to play bingo, wheel of fortune, and do arts and crafts all day long. I got to spend time going on walks with those who are memory impaired while just chatting away about their journey. Whether they were 24 just like me or a big-time trumpet player in New York City and we were back in the 50’s, I was along for the ride. Leaving that job was one of the saddest things I have ever had to do. I still miss them all so much but I learned so much about life through that experience. Just go with your journey. Life is never conventional, things don’t always go as planned but there is a certain calmness that goes along with appreciating life for what it is.

Today and everyday, I am genuinely grateful for everything I have in my life. My life certainly isn’t perfect, there are things I want to work harder at, things I want to change completely, people I miss having in my life, etc. but it is still a beautiful life and I am very thankful for where I am today. I am thankful for everyone I have in my life and the joy they bring to it. I really have a ton to be grateful for and its a great feeling to just stop for a second to appreciate it.

Hope everyone has a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Thanks for reading my little tid-bit today. I hope you can relate. Outfit details below, everything is currently on major sale! Happy shopping! 🙂

Outfits

Outfit Series: Thanksgiving with The Paper Store

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Growing up Thanksgiving was always the holiday hosted at my home so I loved getting to eat and then immediately changing into PJs while I relaxed for the rest of the night. Nothing beats the crisp fall air, town football in the morning, and catching up with extended family for the day. I see my extended family frequently, but I see them the most in a short span of time during these next few months. Its always nice to catch up with them.

I am always in a rut about what to wear for Thanksgiving. Do I dress up? Is it not that big of a deal? I feel as though I am one who enjoys dressing the part so any excuse for a cute outfit I typically go for it. This year, I chose this cozy sweatshirt dress from The Paper Store as I love the color. It screams fall and its so warm. It was perfectly paired with over-the-knee boots which I will have linked for you below. The combination is one I am going to start wearing more as I can’t stand tights. Investing in a pair of these boots is well worth it and a great alternative for the person who can’t stand to freeze but won’t wear the tights. The boots kept my legs warm during the photos, I was super happy about it.

I must say that I love the quality of clothing I have gotten from The Paper Store this season. This dress was so flattering on and it really did a great job of keeping me warm. The detailing on their pieces really gets me. They add such simple, yet elegant, feminine details to each piece, like, this simple oversized sweatshirt (if you will). You can wear this piece out and about or even in the office if you wanted. In my opinion, the perfect option for those who love wearing dresses in the fall and winter time.

This time of year always flies by so quickly. I can not believe we are already half way through November! Be sure to check out The Paper Store as they have some hidden gems this season. It is always such a pleasure getting to work with them. You can shop online or stop in if you have one in your area.

Outfits

Fall Staple Pieces with The Paper Store

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Hello everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic Thursday, the weekend is just around the corner and i couldn’t be more excited. It finally feels like fall outside and I have been breaking out my flannels and sweaters…about time, its only November (no biggie!)

Today I am sharing with you some of my fall staple pieces this season. I am someone who doesn’t really invest in trends. If I find a piece that is trendy but fits well into my classic style i’ll add it to my closet but I really try to stick to those versatile pieces that will last me season after season. One of my biggest things this season is quality over quantity. For me, working in fashion as well as having a blog, I easily get caught up in wanting to buy everything all the time. I clearly don’t have that kind of budget so I am really trying to focus on limiting myself to only the pieces that will give me so much wear.

The first item that I would say to invest in is good Denim…

I get most of my denim from J.Crew or Express. I am not really sure about the quality of Express Denim yet. I like it but I don’t love it, J.Crew’s Denim is amazing though. Denim is timeless and something that can be worn season after season. I find myself living in Denim in the fall and wintertime. I’d say a good pair of jeans is definitely part of my signature look.

Flannels

For fall, I love a cozy flannel thats why when I found this one at The Paper Store, I fell in love. It is so soft and comfortable. I love the longer cut which makes it wearable with leggings. The accents on this shirt add the perfect touch of chic to a classic oversized, boyfriend look. When I wear this top I feel cozy and feminine. I cannot recommend this piece enough. A flannel in the fall is something that will never go out of style and they can be dressed up as well as dressed down so easily. Its a go-to for me when I have a lazy day. I just throw on a flannel and jeans and I am good to go!

Statement Shoes

So this is where I get a little bit trendy. Slides are really in this season. I hoped on the band wagon because they really have a crisp, timeless look thats similar to a Loafer which I love. But another thing thats in this season, that you will see more of on the blog in the upcoming months is statement shoes. A simple outfit mixed with a pair of shoes that really make a bold entrance is something that just looks so good. Leopard shoes are easily paired with other patterns that they’re basically a fun neutral so when I saw these slides from Francesca’s Collection I couldn’t resist.

Statement Jewelry

A trend that certainly not going anywhere anytime soon. whether it be giant earrings or an oversized necklace, fashion jewelry has a way of making an outfit feel so put together. I am not the biggest collector of statement jewelry but I do love those pieces that are neutral, classic, while still adding a pop to my outfit. I layered two classic J.Crew statement necklaces to give the outfit a nice glow. I was certainly ready to take on my day!

I would love to hear what your favorite pieces for fall are. I am always looking for fashion inspiration, plus I love chatting about clothes. Comment below or find me on Instagram here. Let’s be friends!!

 

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