Summer 2015 Beauty and Fashion Update

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!"-Coco Chanel

 This winter seemed like it lasted forever and spring feels like it lasted for a minute. It already feels like summer here, and I have a feeling we're in for a long and hot season.  Whenever the weather starts changing, I update my closet and my beauty products. Here are the items I am lusting after or have already succumbed to.

Make Up:

Anastasia Contour Palette

I'm on a major contouring kick. Now that it's heating up, I'm looking to achieve a bronzed-Kardashian-esque glow. Say what you will about the sisters, but there is no denying they are contouring experts. I bought the palette last week and I have had a lot of fun blending the 6 colors together trying to find my perfect look. Shop it here!

Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

This stuff is great. It actually stays where I put it and it draws a great line. I highly recommend this eye liner and it comes in a ton of different shades. Shop it here!

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Palette
I've had this for a while and it's my go-to for summer. Its light, shimmery, and understated. Shop it here!

Skincare:

Philosophy Microdelivery Kit

I bought this a few weeks ago and have been using it religiously. It is a two step process with an exfoliating component. Whenever I use it my skin brightens up and feels great. It is chalk full of peptides and vitamin-C which just feels summery to me. Shop it here!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

Normally I use witch hazel to lock in moisture in my skin, but for the summer I have switched to this aloe and rose water infused spray. It smells great and its a quick and easy way to perk up dull skin and to seal in moisture or set your makeup. My skin is really dry so I can use whatever help I can get. Shop it here!

Cotz Sunscreen

I am really good about applying sunscreen to my face everyday- and a big part of that comes from how much I love Cotz. It feels like a primer, had light coverage, and it had a SPF of 40. This stuff is gold. Shop it here!

Elemis Papaya Peel
This feels nothing like a traditional peel. It honestly feels like a tropical scented lotion, but one you remove it, it uncovers gorgeous glowing skin. Shop it here!

Shoes:

Perfect Nude Heels

The Charles by Charles David 'Pact' Pump is my favorite heel. Specifically, the nude color is on point. They are shockingly comfortable, high but not too high, and the perfect color. They remind me of the 'Pigalle' of Christian Louboutin fame. My biggest dilemma with these shoes is choosing what color to buy next. Shop it here!

Fun Night Out Wedges

I was looking for a cool pair of wedges to wear at night when I stumbled across these babies. I love the laser cut-out detail. They are 5" but you can barely feel them since they are a wedge. They are a lot of fun to wear and dress up. Shop it here!

Go To Summer Sandals

Similar to the Charles David pumps, these Sam Edelman flat sandals are my summer staple. I bought some last year and they are still perfect. They come in a ton of colors and have a solid cushion which makes it possible to walk for miles on a totally flat shoe. Super cute and very functional! Shop it here!

Summer Clothing Essentials:

Silk Tank Tops

I have a few of these. They keep you cool and can be easily transitioned from day to night, work to play. Iris and Ink makes a great choice and they are super on sale right now! Shop it here!

Crochet Bikini

This is my newest addition to my swimsuit collection. I've been into the crochet look for a long time and this summer is the perfect time to take the plunge. The 70's are back baby! Shop it here!

Detailed Shorts

The Loft is my go to for cute shorts. They aren't too short and are always relatively inexpensive and very cute. I just bought a great pair of scalloped shorts that get a ton of compliments. Shop it here!

Maxi Dresses

Maxis have quickly become my favorite summer outfit. I tend to go for backless maxi dresses that I can wear with a blazer at work and then head straight to happy hour at 5:00 in. Since I'm tall, my favorite maxi's come from Tart. The material is really high quality and the cut is very flattering on all of them. Shop it here!

Tart Dress Second From Left

I've got some fun vacations and trips planned for this summer and I am having a lot of fun bulking up my closet and bathroom cabinets! :)

Tart Dress + Sam Edelman Flats

xxxx

Spring Fashion Updates

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."- Coco Chanel

Now that it is finally starting to show signs of it actually being Spring, I've started to retire some of my winter staples in favor of some spring-y alternatives. Disclaimer: I love clothes, but I wouldn't consider myself super fashionable or pulled together. Although I really love experimenting and finding new pieces.

There are three major trends I am focusing on this spring. 

Three Trends:

• High Low Hemline
• Lace Detailing
• Cut Outs/Low Back

I also love being able to wear clothes I already own. Last summer I jumped right on the high-low hemline trend. Maybe it is because I'm tall so skirts and dresses rarely are long enough and the low hem was perfect for me, or maybe it is because I liked to twirl around in them--regardless, this trend is still going strong. Which makes me very happy.

I get to continue to wear two of my favorite dresses this spring!

High-Low Dress

High-Low Dress

Featured Fashion (a lot of the original pieces are no longer in stock, but here are some great substitutes): Fedora, Brown Braided Belt, Strappy Sandals, My Denim Jacket, Black Flats, Floral High-Low Dress, My Red Dress

Another trend that I am completely on board with is lace. I own lace skirts, dresses, shirts, and shorts and I am still buying more and more lace pieces. I love how it can be so feminine, but if you dress it with leather, it immediately takes on a much  more rock and roll vibe.

My favorite lace skirt

Featured Fashion: Chambray Shirt, Lace Skirt, Lace Shorts

The third trend I am obsessed with is cut outs. I love the subtle peek of unexpected skin. It's a great way to show off a tan without freezing. I have recently bought a ton of clothes with some unique detailing.

Basically I've bought the majority of Urban Outfitters dresses with cut outs. Check them out here: Dresses.

Get ready for the warmth!

Cheers X

Under the Weather

'A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything."- Irish Proverb

Unfortunately for me, I tend to always get sick when the seasons change. I have been feeling under the weather for the last couple days. Now, being that this is the second semester of my senior year of college, I don't really have the time to wallow in the self-pity of sickness. I drank three cups of chamomile tea last night and ended up sleeping ten hours. I woke up feeling slightly better and I plan to keep feeling better without missing out on too much more (I missed a senior social and a trip to D.C. with my friends). I am one of those people who believes that you can 100% fake it until you make it. I always try to trick myself into believing that I'm not actually sick. I force myself to try and look halfway decent and actually do something of value.

Fake Happy!

Featured Fashion: Aviators, Chambray Shirt

Today, I made myself get dressed in normal clothes (not yoga pants and a sweatshirt) and I put on makeup. I was looking really pale and tired. I tried to minimize the pallor of a sick person with some well placed blush and bronzer and white eye liner.

My hair is also a disaster and I didn't have the time nor will power to blow dry and style it. Lucky for me, I am a master at messy hairstyles. I did a messy french braid pulled and topped it all off with an embellished headband (great way to dress up my tumbleweed of hair).

French Braid and Embellished Headband

Featured Fashion: Headband

I grabbed my favorite purse and some of my favorite flats to pull myself together and I made it to work.

Kate Spade and Tory Burch

Featured Fashion: Kate Spade Bag, Tory Burch Flats

Luckily work didn't require much brain power and I got to leave early. I used that extra time to go buy some new dresses for Spring. 

Hopefully, I'll be 100% better really soon.

Cheers X

Stay Healthy