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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

What I Wore on the First Day of School



Hello everyone! It's that time again... I know going back to school is one of the not-that-fun parts of the year, but I always try to make school a bit more enjoyable by putting some effort into what I wear. I'm one of those people who can't work to my full potential if I don't feel great, and I've learned that I feel my best when I look my best. On the first day of school, I knew I wanted to wear a dress because they look really put together, but to me they are really comfortable. yay for no pants! I love this dress because it's pretty flowy, it has the greatest sleeves ever, and I basically look like a flower child when I wear it(which according to fall fashion week is what I should be going for).






From head to toe:

Gold bar necklace: Etsy shop JewelryBlues
Other necklace: My tried and true Kendra Scott Elisa Pendant
Dress: Altar"d State (I've found this store when I was in Austin and I love it!)
Shoes: Steve Madden
Nail polish: Essie Penny Talk

I hope everyone has had a great school year so far!

Have a great day!
Emily

Friday, August 14, 2015

Fun in Floral

Hello everyone! In my last post, I mentioned the Kate Spade dress that I bought while I was on vacation. It's so beautiful, but it's quite formal, so today I decided to dress it down a little by pairing it with some slide sandals, a high ponytail, and new bangs.











From head to toe:
Headband: J Crew
Lipstick: Yves Saint Laurent
Dress: Kate Spade
Slide sandals: J Crew

Have a great day!
Emily

Thursday, August 6, 2015

July Favorites


It been way too long, but hi!! I know I've been very absent ,and lazy, and this post is a week late, but I'm super excited to get back into the habit of posting! Anyway, my favorite month of the year is July because it features my birthday and I don't have to go to school. I've purchased many great products this month, and of course I want to share them with you! So, after a very long wait, here are my July favorites!

1. Origins GinZing Cleanser and Origins Ginzing Moisturizer:

Lately, I've been loving Origins products because they are organic. Since all of my makeup is probably packed with chemicals oops!, it's important for me to end the day with an organic cleanse. First, I take off my makeup with a gentle face wash, and then I cleanse my face with the GinZing cleanser. I think of it like this: why use one product to do a mediocre job at two things when you can use one product to fully do one thing and another product to fully do a different job. I really like this cleanser because it gently exfoliates my face with jojoba beads. After I wash my face, I use the GinZing moisturizer to hydrate my face. Its gel-like texture soaks into my face quickly so I don't get crazy residue all over my pillow while I sleep. These products have been hard at work to even my skin tone and keep my face from being crazy oily.

2. OFRA Bliss Eyeshadow and Highlighter



I received this eye shadow in my July ipsy glam bag and I am so happy with it! It is the perfect bronze/gold shade and it is super pigmented. I've been pairing this with my Stila eye shadow in kitten by dusting kitten all over my lid and then blending this eye shadow into my crease. This eye shadow look stands perfectly on its own, or I can pair it with a bold lip color and it doesn't look super obnoxious.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain in #11 Rouge Gouache


Can I just say that YSL lip products are the best things in the world?! Every time I walk into Sephora, I have to swipe at least one YSL lipstick on my hand. Finally, I couldn't hold back anymore. I had to buy a glossy stain. I adore this color because it is the perfect pink with the tiniest amount of wine that compliments my undertone. I've worn this color to dinners and it doesn't budge at all. My lips get dry really easily, especially with lip stains, but Yves Saint Laurent finds a way to somehow hydrate and stain my lips. They are a truly magical brand.

4. Essie Nail Polish in Lady Like


For the past few months, I've been obsessed with nude nail polish. After centuries of searching, I've finally found my perfect nude polish. Lady Like is a beautiful taupe-nude that gives my nails just the right amount of color. I've struggled with many nude polishes because most of them lean to the sheer side, requiring half a bottle just for a little color to show up on your nails. This color is very opaque. I've worn this color for weeks in a row and haven't gotten even the slightest bit tired of it!!

5. Madewell Striped Dress


I bought this dress at the beginning of the month when I was in California and I wore it on my birthday. Horrifically,red punch was spilled all over it before I could even make it out of my hotel. So, I did what any other diva birthday girl would do. I went to the closest Madewell store and bought a duplicate dress. Once my family and I arrived back in Texas, the red punch came right out, so now I have two of the same dresses. Luckily, I adore the cut of this dress and I love that it has pockets. This dress is by far my favorite summer dress and now I can wear it twice as much!

6. Kate Spade Floral Dress
While I was in California, my fashionista heart carried me to the closest Kate Spade store. I spent an hour trying on Kate Spade dresses (many apologies to my family). As a birthday present to myself, I bought the dress that I had been obsessing over since I saw it at New York Spring/Summer fashion week. The cut of this dress is so pretty and I think the quality of the dress makes it even more beautiful. I'm so excited to wear this beauty!

7. J Crew Boater Hat


I've taken a lot of fashion risks this year, from bold lipsticks to hats. On vacation, I wore this hat on repeat. I found that I can use hats to dress up and dress down outfits. I also love that my hair can look horrible and my head can still look super stylish. The hat I linked isn't the exact hat I'm wearing, since my hat isn't for sale anymore, but you can go to my 4th of July outfit post to see more similar boater hats.

Have a great day!
Emily

Thursday, July 9, 2015

What I Wore on the 4th of July

I know I've said this before, but I love the 4th of July almost as much as I love the country it celebrates. On this beloved holiday, I sported three of my favorite American classics: seersucker, button downs, and red lipstick. To make a statement, I added my new favorite hat. Lastly, I threw on some brown leather shoes and a brown crossbody to tie my outfit together.










I love this outfit so much and I had a great time strutting around San Diego wearing it! Even though it was the perfect outfit for the 4th of July, I think its perfect for any summer day. I hope your 4th of July was as wonderful as mine!
From head to toe:


Have a great day!
Emily

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Beauty Q and A with my BFFs!

Q:How do you make your make up sweat proof?
 A: In my opinion, the best way to make your makeup sweat proof is to use a primer spray, like the Urban Decay De Slick. Using this at the beginning and end of your makeup routine will create a sweat-proof-sandwich barrier for your makeup. Also, I buff my powder on my face to lock it in, which keeps my face matte all day long. 
Q:How do you do braids on the back of your head?
 A: Well, I've been obsessed with braids since I was born. I learned how to French braid by practicing on my head, so I'm just used to it by now. The best advice I can give is to keep practicing and don't cut your hair off if you get frustrated. 
Q:Which lipstick brand is best?
 A: This is a super tough question because I love so many lipsticks, but I know I haven't tried every brand yet. My favorite drug store lipsticks are the Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick. They are smooth and don't settle in the lines of my lips. I absolutely adore the Yves Saint Laurent lipsticks-all of them. They have this distinct smell that takes me back to my childhood, the packaging is gorgeous, the formula is smooth and buttery, and the colors are so so pretty. So, I guess I would say that in my opinion Maybelline is the best drugstore lipstick and YSL had the best high end lipstick. 
Q:What is a must have for a lipstick lover?
 A: I have a few. I think every lipstick lover needs a go to red lipstick and a staple neutral or everyday lipstick. To me, a red lipstick will give a great statement and, let's be honest, who doesn't love a great red lip??!! I think a nude lipstick for everyday wear is really important because it ties a look together. You'll notice a big difference in your look after swiping a neutral lipstick on. 
Q:So I can't afford urban outfitters, but I love their clothes. Any advice?
 A: I'm not sure if I'm the best person to ask because though I do have a few things from urban outfitters, most of the clothes they sell aren't really my style. I would suggest looking at target and Marshalls. I also find really great clothes there and since that Urban Outfitters style seems to be trending right now, I've seen a lot of Urban Outfitters type stuff at those places. 
Q:Can I steal your dog?
 A: Well since Rudy is my best friend and my child, no. But feel free to give me as many dogs as you want. 
Q:What are your favorite kind of socks?
 A: I really love fuzzy socks, but I'm kind of wierd about the fuzzy sock toe line thingy so I always wear normal socks and wear fuzzy socks on top of them. (Weird, I know. But it makes me happy!)
Q: What are your favorite drugstore/ more affordable beauty products?
 A: Like I said, I really love the Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick. I also love the Maybelline age-rewind concealer and the Maybelline color tattoos. My favorite lip liner ever is the Rimmel London lip liner in the color Eastend Snob. I always use EOS lip balms. They keep my lips smooth so I can use whatever lipstick I want. If this counts, I really like the Real Techniques make up brushes. They're kind of in the low-to-middle price range, but they're definitely worth the money. They are really good quality and they swipe makeup onto your face flawlessly. Same goes for the Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes. 
Q: If you could live off of one make up brand for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A:I would have to choose Urban Decay. The more I look at the makeup I wear, the more I realize how many Urban Decay products I use. I truly think that most Urban Decay products are really good quality. They're pigmented and they stay on all day. 
Q: What is your favorite clothing store/brand and designer?
 A: my favorite clothing store is Anthropologie. I love how they mix classic pieces with trendy ones and I feel like they host a lot of different styles and themes in their stores. My favorite designer to watch during fashion week is Elie Saab because her formal dresses are absolutely gorgeous. She never fails to add the perfect amount of embellishment. And I love how she isn't afraid to use bold colors. As for a designer that I actually buy stuff from, I adore Kate Spade. She keeps her looks classic, but still incorporates trends into her stuff. Also, there's always this underlying retro tone in her collections that are super cute. 
Q:When did you start getting into fashion, beauty, and hair?
 A: I've always had fierce opinions when it comes to fashion and beauty. Before I could even do my own hair, I would tell my mom exactly what I wanted and was not afraid to tell her to do it again if I thought it wasn't right(poor lady, I was a fashionista mess when I was little). When I was in 7th grade, I got really into volleyball and my clothing taste went down hill. Lucky for my appearance, I quit volleyball and went back to my fashionista roots. I guess if I was to give a specific time of my evolving, I would say around the end of 8th grade. 
Q: What and/or who inspired you to start blogging?
 A: When I started to get more into fashion, I found a lot of blogs and fashion accounts on Instagram and Pinterest. My favorite blogs are Gal Meets Glam, Classy Girls Wear Pearls, and The College Prepster. They planted the seed of starting a blog in my head, then my friends and family gave me the final push I needed. 
Q: Tips on swimsuit shopping?
 A: I've always had so much trouble with this. Since I'm a human person, I naturally have insecurities about my body. I think the most important things to keep in mind is that everyone feels the same way you do about swim suits and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made- Your body is exactly how it should be. 
Q: What is your top must-have item for each season?
 A: This is really hard because fashion is always changing. For the summer, I always need a cute sundress and some bright orange lipstick. In the fall, I like to ease into the cold by wearing knit cardigans and sweaters. In the winter, I can't live without puffer vests and riding boots (and hot coffee of course!) Finally, in the spring, I like to start wearing pink lipsticks and flowy tops. 
Q: Which is your favorite fashion capital? Why?
A: New York City, of course! Even though Chanel shows in Paris, New York is where my heart is. If you've ever met me, you know how much I love this city. Also, I've researched a lot about fashion in the 1900s and I know how important American fashion is. We've gotta stay patriotic!!
Q: What are some of your favorite DIYs?
 A: I have these gold flag banners that are hanging above my mirror in my room that I love. They were super easy to make and they really give my room some sparkle. I'm not sure if this counts, but I love embellishing gifts. I decorate them with ribbons and little tags and they are adorable. I also have a lot of fun doing this. 
Q: What is your favorite scent of all time?
 A: My favorite scent is anything vanilla. It's a super classic scent and it reminds me of cookies. At school, I keep this La Vanilla roller ball in my bag in the scent vanilla coconut and it smells like a sugar cookie fresh out of the oven. All of my friends borrow it from me and we just sit there smelling out wrists. Like I said about the fuzzy socks, it's weird, but we're happy!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Fourth of July Nails

The Fourth of July is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday (other than the fact that it is the eve of my birthday, I love the food, the fireworks, and, of course, the celebration of the best country in the universe.) I figured since I love the 4th so much, I would showcase the nails that I always sport while watching fireworks. Here are my American flag nails!
 To create the best flag ever, you’ll need:
·         a red nail polish (I’m using Essie Fifth Avenue)
·         a blue polish (Essie Pret-A-Surfer)
·         a white polish (Essie Blanc)
·         Base coat
·         Liquid dry or fast-dry top coat (optional)
·         Nail striper- I'm reusing an old red nail polish striper
·         Dotting tool (or toothpick, pen, etc.)
1.       I started by taking of my previous nail polish.


2.       Whenever I do my nails, I always start with a base coat. I used to not do this, and my nails turned yellow and brittle. I was able to save them by using a base coat, and now I never risk not using one.


3.       After waiting a minute or so for your base coat to dry, apply at least two coats of a white nail polish(By the way, my white polish was super goopy, so it got all over my skin-oops).  After you do this, wait for your polish to be almost dry or completely dry. This ensures that the white polish doesn’t have a weird cutting or pulling look when you paint over it.


4.       Once your polish is dry enough, turn your hand so that your nails are horizontal and outline a blue square using a nail striper. I like to pour a small amount of nail polish on a paper plate and dip my striper in that. This way, you won’t get too much polish on your brush and you have a cute artist palette- a double win.


5.       Fill in the blue square with blue nail polish.


6.       Pour some red nail polish on the same paper plate (not on top of the blue polish, obviously, we don’t want purple stripes) and paint horizontal stripes on your nails.


7.       Go back to the same white polish you painted on your nails before and create dots on the blue squares on your nails.


8.       After you finish your masterpiece, wait for your nails to completely dry. Then, paint a topcoat to finish off your nails. By waiting for your nails to dry and painting your topcoat on in quick strokes, you will prevent your nail art from streaking.


9.       You can stop at the topcoat, but I use a liquid dry top coat to protect my nails from messing up and to help them dry faster.



And that’s all! I love this nail design because it’s fairly simple and it shows the world how fiercely patriotic I am. Now you can eat your all American food, go swimming, and watch fireworks with the cutest and most patriotic nails. I hope your 4th of July is amazing!
Have a great 4th of July!

Emily

Monday, June 22, 2015

The 5 Rules of Shopping

The two most recurring events that happen to me involving shopping are leaving the mall with nothing and leaving the mall with everything. When both things occur, I probably had no idea what I wanted. I'm going on vacation in about a week, and I know I'm in need of a shopping trip so I can refresh my wardrobe for summer. I want to avoid my usual outcomes of shopping, so I have put together a few rules for me to go by while I'm shopping. I hope these will help you guys the next time you shop as well!

1. Set a budget before you go shopping
To avoid leaving the mall with everything, set a budget. This will help you to make rational decisions while you shop. For example, if you set a budget of 100 dollars and you see a dress that's 80 dollars, you'll have to really think about how much you want the dress. To tell you the truth, I am absolutely terrible at this rule.

2. Create goals and guidelines of what you want to buy
I've realized that I do this rule subconsciously and I don't know if that's a good thing. I'll catch myself daydreaming up the perfect outfits and all of the clothes that I want. I think this is a really important thing to do before you do go shopping, though, because then you'll be shopping with a purpose. Instead of aimlessly roaming around the mall, you'll be on a mission to find the best gladiator sandals (for the record, I hate the name "gladiator sandal", it's historically inaccurate- Tim Gunn said so). Creating guidelines regarding the things you want to buy will allow you to shop happily and come home happy with the things you have bought.

3. Balance the amount of staple items and statement items you buy
I define staple items as items you can use in many years to come, or in other words, timeless clothing pieces. I define statement items as items that will most likely only be popular for a season, trendy pieces. In order to save money and be able to make the most out of the clothes you buy, think about the ratio of staple and statement pieces you have. Then, when you shop, you can keep or create a balance of timeless and trendy clothes.

4. Check quality of clothing
If you are going to splurge on something, make sure whatever you're buying is worth it. Sometimes big name companies like to raise their prices because of their brand, not the cost of production and material. When you're about to buy something, read the material labels on the tag and check the quality of the seaming.

5. Only buy things you're in love with
To me, this is the most important rule. If you find that you're trying to convince yourself that you'll wear something, don't buy it. In a few days when you look at what you bought, you'll most likely regret it. From personal experience, the things that I have to convince myself to buy are the things that I never wear. Only buying things that you love will guarantee that you will get the most wear possible out of a piece.

Thanks for reading! I hope these rules will keep you on track when you go shopping and will help you stock your closet well.

Have a great day!
Emily