Hair Care Haul, Aveda and more...

So as you may or may not have noticed, I recently got my hair cut. I mean it's only 6 inches shorter, but if you haven't noticed, it's whatever. My salon is an Aveda Salon, and I'm always obsessed with the products my stylist Christie uses on my hair, and I was out of shampoo so I decided to buy it.

I bought the Be Curly Shampoo and Conditioner and the Brilliant Retexturizing Gel.  I'm pretty in love with these products and the way they make my hair feel and smell. 

Then if you haven't heard the story. A little while ago I lost my favorite hair brush. The one I use for actually brushing my hair. I searched all over my house and then finally gave up and ordered a Tangle Teezer because I had been wanting one for a while.

A few days after it arrived my favorite hair brush turned up in such a really strange place that I can only assume it means that I am the Stepford Clone. I decided to keep the Tangle Teezer though because it's cute.

And finally I bought the Conair You Waving Wand. I really like Conair Hot Tools because they're good quality and inexpensive and I've used them all my life. This does give really cute curls/waves but it still isn't what I was looking for.

My favorite thing about the conair hot tools is they have heat settings. Which having both burned my hair and had it burned by someone else before I can tell you how important different temperatures are.

That's everything I bought for my hair recently. I'm pretty happy with all of it. What is your favorite brand of hot tools to use? Let me know in the comments below.

National Lipstick Day

I am a big fan of lip products, but I don't wear them often because my husband is not. However it's national lipstick day so I though I'd celebrate by wearing my favorite lipstick, Madame Tulip from the Lancome Rouge in Love line. Happy lipstick day!


On my face: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Hourglass Luminous Flush, Lancome Rouge In Love Madame Tulip
Top: Loft
Necklace:Gift from Husband
What's your favorite lipstick?

Stylish Sundays: Taylor Swift Inspired Shirt Dress

Yesterday I went down the the river with my family to watch some paddle boat races a nearby town was having. When I was getting ready I of course asked myself the question " What would Taylor Swift Wear?" Because paddle boat races seem like an activity that she would attend.



H&M Dress, H&M Black Belt, Kate Spade Bag, Coral Keds

I absolutely love this picture. It was my husbands idea and I thought it was going to be weird but it turned out to be my favorite one of the bunch.

It's been over a year since I last styled this Peach H&M dress for the blog. Last time I wore it I went over the top with it, so I decided to keep it simple this time. I had seen this picture of Taylor Swift when I was looking for something else and I realized that this dress is really similar. Since the weather was so lovely I decided to go ahead and wear this dress. I seriously haven't worn it since the last time I posted it because it's a bit of a pain to wear since it's see through I need to wear a slip underneath it. But I really love how this look turned out.

 

 



On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, Nars Blush in Deep Throat, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer Highlighting Powder, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Eye Palette, NYX Eyeliner in Black, Rimmel Eyeliner in Black and Nude, Benefit Bad Gal Lash, Lancome Rouge In Love in Ever So Sweet



This necklace was a just because gift from my husband, and I absolutely adore it. It's delicate and dainty, which is my favorite kind of necklace.



And of course I wore it with my Coral Keds. I wear these shoes so much I'm actually worried I might wear them to their deaths, so I plan on picking up another pair in a fall friendly color today in the Nordstrom sale. I'm undecided between the Burgandy and the Slate Grey. Or red, or black, or all the colors ever. Let me know in the comments below which color you'd pick.



We took this picture while I was watching the paddle boats. I wasn't going to post it because it's a bit blurry, but I think it looks like it could be a Keds' ad from the 50's, which is awesome. I'm not much of a water sports fan, but the paddle boat races were fun to watch because it was just so silly. My favorite boat didn't win, but I can't wait to go again next year.

 

 

 

Book Review: The Bridesmaids

I was sent The Bridesmaids by Eimear Lynch from Birchblogger to review. When it arrived on last Wednesday, the cover was so pretty I knew I had to put down the book I was currently reading and read it right then. So I grabbed a frappuccino, snapped some pictures and started reading.



And this book totally lives up to the cuteness of it's cover. But it's more than just cute, it's hilarious. And sometimes a little sad, and more than relatable even if you've never been a bridesmaid.

This book tells the story of several women and a few men as they help their besties through the most important day of their lives. It covers everything from siblings relationships, new friends being made,  to life long friendships destroyed. Since it's a collection it's hard to give a traditional review, but this book definitely holds up. I adored it and I fully recommend it.

In honor of the Bridesmaids that told their stories in this book, I decided to tell you my Bridesmaid story.

I went to high school with Amanda Cannady, but we weren't really friends. It wasn't that we didn't like each other, it was just that we didn't know each other. Years later when Facebook became popular we added each other and barely interacted.

Then in May of 2010 I mentioned that I wanted to see Letter's To Juliet which was coming out in a few days and Amanda commented that she wanted to go too.  So we made plans and had a blast. A few months later we went to see Easy A, she had dinner at my house, I got drunk at hers. We bonded over shows like Gilmore Girls and Easy A. Add that to sharing the same name and being born exactly a week a part, and we were destined to be close.

She got engaged in November of that year and she originally had two bridesmaids, girls that she had been life long friends with. But they both had full time jobs, and were super busy. So I volunteered to help out with her wedding as much as I could and to do her makeup. Since I was doing her makeup, I bought a Navy blue dress so I'd blend in when I was doing touch ups.  There was a lot of discussing the wedding in Starbucks, and a lot of discussing the wedding while drunk on her couch watching movies we both loved from high school, but honestly most of the actual doing was done with her mom, so I didn't think I'd really been that much help.

Then at her Bachlorette party where I disappointingly discovered that I too am a woo girl,  near the end of the night we were at her favorite Drag bar, and absolutely smashed, when she turns to me and says "OMG, you know what you should totally be one of my bridesmaids, because you've helped me with everything and your dress already matches" to which I replied tearily "Of Course" and then we wooed, and everyone else wooed and it was awesome. And hilarious to us the next day when we were trying to remember the night.

The night before the wedding, the entire bridal party stayed the night at her mothers house to prepare for the wedding. I stayed up all night putting together her heart garland that was going to hang above her table for the reception, and the next morning is mostly a blur. Probably due to sleep deprivation and Benadryl to treat my allergies. I know at some point I took apart her bridal bouquet and changed it because she was unhappy with it. And I know that I did her makeup, but only because there is photographic evidence of both things.

Amanda was a beautiful bride, the Ceremony was gorgeous, and the Reception was a blast. The whole experience cemented a friendship built on How I Met Your Mother, Movies, Books and Alcohol, and I couldn't be happier that I got to spend that day supporting her and her husband.

[caption id="attachment_2824" align="alignnone" width="720"] photo credit: Photosmith[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer FOTD

I decided to do my bog standard Summer FOTD for today's post. I usually keep my makeup the same and only change something like my lipgloss or a blush as the seasons change, and I do the same thing every day, but sometimes it turns out better some days than other days. This was one of those days.



I'm wearing Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, with Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I kept my eye makeup really simple just using the champagne color from the Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette and I tightlined with Urban Decay's Bourbon 24/7 liner. I finished my eyes with YSL's Babydoll Mascara which is my absolute favorite for summer. On my cheeks is The Balms Frat Boy and then Mary Lou Manizer dusted lightly over that and applied more heavily as my highlighter. My lipgloss is Hourglasses Lush, which wasn't my favorite when I bought them but it has become my favorite.

I like how light and simple this makeup is for summer, but honestly it's just a really nice everyday look that could work easily in any season.

My shirt is from Sevenly's Shelterwings Campaign, and the proceeds went to helping victims of domestic violence. My hair was curled with the Conair YouCurl Infiniti and brushed out the day before and all I did today was brush it and add a bit of dry shampoo.

What's been your go to makeup for this summer?

Summer F

Stylish Sundays: Ladylike

I know it's Monday, and not at all Sunday, but yesterday was my dad's belated birthday party and I forgot to schedule the post to go live while I was gone.

We are finally caught up to now with my outfit photos. These were taken Last Sunday when I was feeling particularly girly. I seriously think it's the new hair cut. I've discovered I don't like it any other way but wavy/curly and I find that I'm dressing that way more often.



Top: F21 Belt: H&M Jeans: Gap Shoes: Sam Edelman Bag: Kate Spade Bracelet: H&M Necklace worn as a Bracelet

This top is seriously the last thing I ever bought from Forever 21, and I honestly forgot it was from there until I checked the tag.



Makeup: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, YSL Shocking Mascara, Nars Blush, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, Hourglass Liquid Lipstick



I curled my hair with the Conair YouCurl Infiniti tapered wand and then brushed it out. This seems to be my go to style, it's my absolute favorite way of wearing my hair since I cut it off. It it's straight I feel like it's a little helmet-ish because of the bangs, and if I put it up I just feel weird because it's short.



I love these shoes! I've had them for a couple years for now, and they remain favorites. I always feel very princessy and ladylike whenever I wear them.

Do you have anything that makes you feel special when you wear it?

 

 

Black Lace and Kate Spade

I have one last set of photos from before I cut my hair so I decided to post them as my Friday post instead of as a Stylish Sunday's Post

My favorite Aunt got married on June 21st and I really liked the dress she picked for me to wear. 

Dress: Asos Skater Dress in Daisy Lace, Belt: Kate Spade Bow Belt, Shoes: Sam Edelman Calypso Quilted Flats (Similar), Bag: Kate Spade Cove Street Irini (Similar)

I absolutely love this dress, without the belt it's very 90's and I plan on pairing it with a plaid shirt and some knee socks and keds this fall.

On My Face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B10, Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer in Chantilly, Makeup Forever HD Powder in Translucent, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush, The Balm Highlighter in Mary Lou Manizer, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, YSL Shocking Mascara, Urban Decay Eyeliner in Bourbon and Dior Addict Lipstick in Dior Kiss

I curled my hair with a large 1 1/4th curling iron.

Nails: Butter London Scandal

And here's my favorite Aunt and I after the ceremony:

It was wonderful seeing someone I've always looked up to get married to an awesome guy. And how gorgeous was her dress? Red's her favorite color and I love that she bucked the trend of wearing white and instead wore what made her happy.

Have you been to any wedding's recently? What did you wear?

Gap Summer Sale Haul

Gap's Summer sale is going on right now, and since I'm obsessed with their Legging jeans I just had to get a couple pairs.

I decided to get them in ankle length because as I mentioned in last weeks Stylish Sunday's post I am obsessed with ankle length jeans.

I picked them up in Washed Ink and Vapor Wash



I know awkward picture right? But I wanted to show what these looked like on. The wash on the bottom pair is my favorite, but I think I like the top pair a little bit more because they're slightly stretchier and just a bit more comfortable. However both pairs are super comfortable because they're the legging jeans.

I love that I decided to buy them in ankle length because they're absolutely perfect for me. I can still cuff them a bit if I want but they hit perfectly at my ankle and will work perfect with ankle boots and regular knee high boots this fall. And I love that they feel a little bit vintage or retro. I'm kinda absolutely obsessed.

But the very best part is I got both pairs for less than the cost of one pair full price. Gap really does have the best sales.

 

I'm also wearing a Sevenly Tee supporting Shelterwings, and my Coral Keds

Stylish Sundays: Stripes and Sperry's

This is another before I got my hair cut outfit, I've got one more coming that I might do midweek and then I'll be all caught up to now.

Have I mentioned before how much I love these peach pants?

Top: V.S. Pink, Pants: H&M, Shoes: Sperry Topsiders, Necklace: Kate Spade, Bracelet: Alex and Ani, Sunglasses: Madewell Drifters

Because I'm kind of obsessed with them. I'm pretty sure that it's because they're ankle length. Because I just ordered two more pairs of ankle length pants. I'm also a huge fan of this shirt. It's stripey, and cozy and perfect. I wear it way more than I should, and it's been washed a lot. But it's held up really well, so I'll probably wear it til it's falling apart.

On My Face: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Hourglass Hidden concealer, The Balm Frat Boy Blush, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette, YSL Babydoll Mascara, Dior Lipstick in Dior Kiss
Hair: Messy Bun with Emi-Jay Hair Tie

I don't actually miss my long hair. Normally whenever I get it cut, I do. And I tell people to never let me cut my hair again. But this time is different. Looking back at pictures from when I had long hair, I don't miss it at all. I'm so glad I cut it off and I'm excited about keeping it this length, or maybe even going an inch or two shorter.



I love these shoes, but they still aren't broken in yet. I skipped the no show socks this day and ended up with terrible blisters on the backs of my heels. And I didn't have any bandaids with me so I ended up driving home from the store barefoot. Which let me tell you, feels weird. Like Really wrong. I need to learn to get some comfortable flats to keep in the car.

What's your current favorite clothing item?

 

 

Under Armour Haul

I said for a long time that I was going to replace my Nike Dual Fusion running shoes with some Under Armour ones, and I finally did.



These are the Under Armour Spine Venom running shoes in Black



I am absolutely in love with them. I still haven't been able to wear them out running yet because my ankle is still to weak for running, but I can't wait to get back into it. I have worn them around the house and they are super comfortable. My son has these shoes in blue and grey and he absolutely loves them so that was the main deciding factor in my picking these. Plus it's kinda cute that we have matching shoes now. I'll put up a picture of us wearing them together when I do another workout outfit post.

Sweet Tea

I was born in Kentucky, so even though I live in Indiana, I'm still a southern girl at heart. So when summer comes around I ditch the hot teas and coffee for some sweet tea.

But I don't drink just any plain sweet tea. I prefer the fruit flavored teas from Teavana.  This particular tea is Raspberry Pineapple. But right now I've got Yumberry Oolong made. I definitely want to go pickup some of their new flavors of tea and try some of those.

What I like best about Teavana is they sell whole leaf teas. So for this tea I heated my kettle to temperature and while I was waiting I measured my leaves into a mason jar. You want to use more leaves then the ounces in your mason jar because you'll be adding water later. I had a large jar so I doubled the amount of leaves. Then I added in my sugar to melt while the tea was brewing. Once the water was heated I just poured it over the leaves and sugar and let it set for 4 minutes. I put two large ice cubes in the bottom of the pitcher and poured through a tea strainer into another mason jar (it's easier because the strainer fit over that jars mouth.) And then into the pitcher it went. Once all the leaves were strained I poured the hot sweet tea over the ice and added a cold bottle of water and a few more ice cubes.

This is the tea I was obsessed with last year. It's seriously all I drank all summer long.



What's your go to summer drink?

Stylish Sundays: Summer Love

The pictures were taken before I cut my hair, and I have a few more sets of photos that were pretaken that will go up soon.



Tank: Aerie Summer Love Tank, AE Jeans from Years ago, Sandals from Wet Seal also really old Necklace from a website that no longer exists.

I bought the Summer Love Tanks from Aerie to do yoga in, but the other day was laundry day so I pulled this tank out of my drawer, these old jeans and grabbed random shoes from my closet, then I decided it was cute and couldn't remember why I never wear those jeans. Then I sat down. These are Low Rise Jeans, and I just haven't been a fan of them since freshman year of High School.



On My Face: Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Makeup Forever HD Setting Powder, The Balm Frat Boy Blush, Benefit Watts Up Highlighter, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, YSL Shocking Mascara, Hourglass Lush Extreme Sheen Lipgloss

I found a random bottle of the Vita Lumiere Aqua in the back of my drawer the other day that still had some left in it. Wearing it really made me miss it, and I can definitely see repurchasing this again very soon.



I braided two small braids on either side of my head, twisted some hair from next to each braid loosely around them and then pinned them together at the back of my head. I finished it with some Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. I really liked how it turned out and am interested to see how this style will look with my short hair.



My Nails were Deborah Lippmann's Blue Orchid, which is my current favorite blue polish.



And a close up of my sandals. On my toes is Zoya's Robin.  I bought this polish because I saw it on Aria on Pretty Little Liars and she's one of my favorites. Spencer's my other favorite.

What's your go to laundry day outfit? Or are you like me and just do laundry when you realize you have nothing you normally wear left?

Happy July 4th and Krassandco Haul

I ordered these shorts specifically to wear today on Sunday night and they arrived yesterday and I'm so excited!



Top: Home Made 4th of July T-Shirt. Shorts: Krass and Co. Shoes: Converse.

These are probably my new favorite shorts, they're even better than my Under Armour shorts. They're so comfortable and the details are so cute.
Like the Lobsters:


And the label being flipped so you can roll them.



And they stay rolled which makes me happy because I have trouble getting anything like that, yoga pants, soffe shorts, to stay rolled.

I also thought I'd do a quick things I'm loving for the fourth.

1. As you can see I got my hair cut. I'm not a huge fan of it round brushed the way it is there but I love it curled.

2. Boom Clap from TFIOS soundtrack is seriously my song of summer. I'm so obsessed.

3. Still obsessing over my emi-jay hair ties. They're all I've used for 2 years. I'll be putting my hair up in a red one at some point today I'm sure.

4. Sephora formula x nail polish. I was mad they discontinued the Sephora by OPI, so I avoided this line. But I caved and am wearing formula x's a little sexy. I'm in love.

5. Sparklers. They're my favorite part of the 4th and I can't wait til tonight! We bought a ton of them.

P.s. I know my shirt has to many stripes, my son made it for me though so I'm wearing it anyway. We used this Idea from Pinterest.

What's In My Kate Spade Bag

My husband got me the Kate Spade Cove Street Irini for Valentines Day last year, and I decided it's time to show you what's in my bag.

This is actually a much smaller bag than what I normally carry so it's taken me a while to figure out exactly what I need and don't need.



I have my Coach Double Zip Wristlet,Elizabeth and James Nirvana, 2 bookmarks, Madewell Drifter Sunglass, a random piece of Trident Gum from my Aunts Wedding, Moleskin Notebook and Pen, a L'Occitane makeup bag, compact mirror that was a gift from a friend and a Bath and Body Works Pocket Bac.

In the L'Occitane bag I carry my Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Rose, Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Glosses in Truth and Lush, YSL Gloss Volupté in Grenade Pépite, YSL Volupté Sheer Candy Glossy Balm in Cool Guava and a Victoria's Secret Mini in Victoria.

It's amazing to be able to carry around so little. If I need to I can fit a book inside, but I only carry a book with me if I'm going to be waiting for a long period of time.

What are your must haves in your bag?