Skincare Secrets

In another new addition to the blog, I've decided to do a series of posts on my skincare/beauty/hair/makeup/etc favorites. I love hearing about products from other people who have actually tried them so I thought I'd let my readers know about my favorite products.

First up, skincare!

Fashion News Roundup

Happy new year! I thought I'd try out something new on the blog in celebration of a new year. I just completed a retailing class at my university. I fell harder in love with retailing, my future career, and my mind has become the mind of a retailer in business. My course emphasized staying up to date on what's happening in the industry and my commitment to this is what helped me earn my stellar grade. Class is over, but my dedication has remained the same.
I've come across a few articles about retailing lately that have really peaked my interest.
So here's my first fashion news roundup!

Marley Lilly Love

I was so excited to be approached by Marley Lilly again this year to be a part of their Blogger Review Program. Last year I participated in the program, where I reviewed a cozy houndstooth print scarf. You can see my scarf review here!

Chic Charging

Guys, have you seen Kate Spade's new charging purses? I think I just found something to add to my Christmas list...

Newest Obsession: Gucci Blooms

When I visited the Gucci museum in Florence, Italy I signed up for the Gucci emailing list. This was both the best and worst decision all at the same time.

I got an email sent to me introducing the new gg blooms collection a few weeks ago. I immediately fell in love.

Shop For A Cure

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I'm a long time supporter of cancer research. Since 6th grade I've participated in Relay for Life as a team captain and was on my school's Colleges Against Cancer Committee freshman year. As a Trendsetter for Trend Tribe I have planned a jewelry trunk show on my campus next week where a percentage of the profit goes to a philanthropy of my choice. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I chose Susan G. Komen as my philanthropy.

This week I got an email from Tory Burch announcing their Shop for a Cure collection, which donates a percentage of purchases to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This got me thinking, how many other retailers so similar philanthropic donations in the month of October? I did some research to compile a list and hopefully inspire my readers to combine their love of shopping with a good deed. How amazing is it that by buying products we'd typically purchase anyway we can actually be doing good for the world? So shop on my fashionistas! Shower for the Cure body wash or Glossy Gloss lipstick is calling your name!

LC Runway

Lauren Conrad is one of my icons. It has nothing to do with her being on Laguna Beach or the Hills. What I admire most about Lauren is the career she's made for herself. I am a frequent buyer of her collection at Kohl's so when I found out she was doing a runway collection I was psyched!

                                     

Bootie Bootie Bootie

I have a confession. I'm in love with the bootie.
No joke, booties are having a major moment right now and I'm all for it.
My bootie collection is growing exponentially fast, from 0 to 60 real quick.

For that reason, I thought I'd blog about a peak into my shoe closet for a look at my favorite booties.

Take it to the Beach

School's out and summer is *almost* here! I've been doing some summer shopping and wanted to share my favorite picks for the beach!

Top It Off with a Hat

Floppy hats are so in right now. Wow, I never thought I'd be saying that. While I'm sure everyone's seen floppy fats all over Instagram if you're following any fashion blogs at all, how practical is this trend in real life? Honestly, I don't think it's something I'd wear to class but I would definitely wear it while shopping on Newbury Street.

Closet Additions

So, I've been shopping. There's a surprise, huh? In light of recent sales (30% off clearance? Yes please!) I recently scored some awesome deals from J.Crew Factory that I'm really excited about.

Picks from the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale

It's one of the most wonderful times of the year...when Lilly Pulitzer goes on sale. The After Party Sale started today with site delays and Lilly mania as usual. To maybe make the shopping easier or just to compare Lilly loving, I've compiled a list of my favorite items from the sale.

Pretty as a Present

I've wanted to make a DIY Christmas bow skirt for EVER now. Finally, I had an excuse to make it when my cousin invited me to an ugly Christmas sweater open house. Okay, so I know you're supposed to wear a sweater but I decided to wear a skirt instead. And I know it was supposed to be ugly, but I think it looks really cute.

Not only was this skirt cute, but it was so easy to make. I got the skirt from Old Navy for a reasonable price since I was never going to be able to wear it again. To make the skirt, I super glued the bows onto the skirt and used double sided tape to keep the garland stuck around the hem. The garland was honestly the hardest part because with the super glue it just wouldn't stick. This is where I thank my mom for figuring out a way to make it stick, and supergluing her fingerprints off in the process!

I would definitely advise not moving around too much if you make a skirt like this. You don't want to lose a bow, after all. Despite having to be cautious about the decorations, the outfit was really comfortable and fun to wear. It was a great conversation starter, too. You can't walk into a room wearing a skirt like this without people staring.

Finals Week Fashion

Finals week is upon us once again. Besides all of the tedious studying, one of the hardest parts of finals week is getting dressed. I don't know about you but I can't even be bothered to wear jeans during finals week (amen for leggings). You're running on caffeine and minimum hours of sleep so how can you be expected to look presentable for early morning library trips or 8 am finals? I've got you covered. I've put together outfits using pieces from American Eagle as guidelines for super comfy yet chic finals week fashion.

Now Trending: Boot Socks

Boot socks are my latest fall fashion obsession. I searched high and low last fall for boot socks with no such luck. With a store credit to The Red Dress Boutique I decided to buy boot socks on a whim. I got a pair of cream colored and a pair of oatmeal colored lined at the top in cream lace. I seriously will not wear a pair of boots without boot socks again. They are so cute.

Image from Red Dress Boutique

Summer Style featuring Old Navy

This summer I rediscovered Old Navy. It's always been there at nearly every surrounding mall but in the past few years it hasn't been a store I regularly shop in. That changed this summer.
Some of my favorite summer purchases have been from Old Navy.

Printed Maxi Dress

I wore this outfit on my birthday. The blue and white maxi is flattering with a cinched waist and a slit up the leg. I paired it with a floral statement necklace in different shades of blue from Francesca's and diamond studs. My hair was done in a casual braided up do. The braid started at the front and around the bun for a beachy look. Seeing as I was at my beach house for my birthday, a beachy look was exactly the right look for the occasion!

Black Maxi Dress

In my last post, Take A Walk On The Darkside, I talked about how I had been unsure about maxi dresses until recently and talked about how I styled my black Old Navy tank top maxi dress. This maxi is the most comfortable dress and most versatile dress! This time I paired my dress with my Marley Lilly monogrammed denim shirt and Tory Burch sandals. The denim shirt looks great tied up or left open with the top. It is a casual and comfortable outfit that I wouldn't mind wearing every day! The look was perfect for a night out to dinner by the sea because the length of the dress and lightweight shirt save you from the chilly ocean breeze. 

White Paisley Shift Dress with Dark Wash Denim Jacket

This look was an outfit I wanted to wear as much as possible. The dress is super flattering because while it doesn't hug your curves, it also doesn't hide them either. I usually steer clear from shift type dresses but this one is amazing. It has a high neckline which allows for minimal accessorizing and makes its own statement. I loved wearing it with the denim jacket even more than wearing it on its own. I paired it with black sandals and my Michael Kors crossbody bag. I kept the makeup simple with just a pop of coral lip gloss and my hair in a simple side braid. It was a cute outfit for dinner on the dock.

 I'm going to try to wear these outfits as much as possible before the summer is over! Stay stylish everyone!

Take a Walk on the Darkside

What I love about fashion is the fluidity of fashion choices. You do not have to mold yourself to fit just one label. Preppy, trendy, glamorous, athletic, and classic can all be combined to create your own personal style. While I usually stick to bright colors, femininity, and sparkles (yes, I'm a girly girl) it's fun to experiment with other styles.

Traveling in Style

The month of July is my month of travel. Needless to say I'm really excited for all of my trips. If you remember my Wanderlust post, I explained the places I was going throughout the summer and picked some outfit pieces for each place. I can easily put together appropriate outfits for where I'm going. However, something that has always alluded me is how do people travel in style?

Shopping is My Cardio

If the shoe fits, buy it! This is what I tell myself when I find a pair of shoes in my size. Luckily for me I found these shoes at TJMaxx in my size and at a great price! I went into TJMaxx looking for a new bathing suit and came out with a pair of shoes, two Lilly Pulitzer perfumes, and a few other odds and ends. Notice how a bathing suit wasn't on that list? That right there is what is dangerous yet oh so exhilarating about shopping at a store like TJMaxx. Thankfully, I had money to spend due to a TJMaxx/Marshall's credit card that gives you money back to those stores for using it. Here's a picture of my cute new shoes that I'll be wearing to my brother's graduation! I love how they sparkle!

My new pair of shoes.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is fast approaching. If you're still looking for something to give your mom I've come up with my very own Mother's Day Gift Guide!