Stylish Sundays: Polka Dot

Sometimes I decide I don't care if I'm extra super cute and fashionable, I have to put on something that just makes me happy. That something is usually striped, or in this case polka dotted.

Sweater: Madewell, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Keds, Necklace: Gift

I've had this sweater in my closet forever, and never really thought it was blog worthy, but I wear it a ton. Then I remembered I've been in my pajamas on this blog a few times, so I decided to just go ahead and wear it.

I absolutely love this sweater, its cozy and soft, and has 3 quarter length sleeves. But the best part is that it has Polka Dots. Hot Pink Polka Dots. And so even though it's definitely a lazy day type of top for me, it makes me inexplicably happy to wear it.

I kept my makeup super simple too just my Nars Tinted Moisurizer, Nars Blush, YSl Mascara, Nars Concealer and Smiths Rosebud Salve Strawberry Lip Balm

Then I finished off the outfit with my absolute favorite shoes and called it awesome. Then I preceded to read all day after we took the photos. It was perfect.

What do you wear that just makes you happy?

Current Skin Care Routine

I woke up today, to a clean house, feeling better than I have all week. Add in that I had packages coming from Ann Taylor today and you could say it's been a really great day so far. I know I've been MIA from the blogging world this past week, but this cold absolutely wiped me out. I haven't felt that sick in a long time, and I'm kinda the queen of getting sick.

When I'm sick like I was last week, I seriously just use face wipes and moisturizer. Unless I've had to put on Makeup for some reason, then I actually wash my face. But I'm excited to get back to using the products that are currently in my skin care routine.

My first step is the Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream.

Seriously one use of this and my skin looks amazing again. It smells great and it's super gentle, which is great because the skin around my nose is super tender right now.  I only use this about once a week.

Second Step is the Kiehls Blue Herbal Cleansing Gel.

I've used this on and off for years, but I especially like using it after I've been sick. It feels invigorating and it really clears out my skin.

Twice a week I'll use that cleanser with my Clarasonic

I absolutely love my Clarasonic and I'm so happy that I have one. I could probably use it everyday since I use the brush head for Acne Prone Skin, but I always try to at lease use it twice a week. After I use it my skin just looks and feels so much better.

Next I use the Nars Multiaction Hydrating Toner.

This is the only picture I have of it, but it's the one in the middle. I like this toner, but it does have some illuminating shimmer or something in it. However it's a good quick fix product. It makes my skin look more radiant as soon as I put it on. I'm currently on the hunt for something else, and I don't use this every day. Only when I feel like my skin needs some extra oomph.

Then for moistruizer I use Murad's Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 PA+++ for blemish prone skin

Honestly that's the longest name ever. I ran out of my Nars moisturizer one day and I found this in a drawer and decided to use it up. I'm actually really loving using it, and I want to try other products in the Murad Line again. With as pale as I am, sunscreen in my moisturizer is really important. I sit right next to a window for most of the day, and a lot of the time if it's not too hot, that window is open. I try to protect my skin as much as possible.

My final step is my Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Morning Eye Rescue.

I use this morning and night and it has lasted me forever. I probably won't repurchase this though because I don't know that it's really doing anything for me personally.

So that's my skincare routine as of right now. However it will probably change as things run out. I do want to try some things from First Aid Beauty and I need to find a couple good masks, moisturizing and detoxing preferably.  Once I notice that my skin care routine has completely changed I'll do an updated skin care routine post. I really do agree with the French, take good care of your skin, and use less makeup. It's so nice being able to just use a tinted moisturizer now instead of a full heavy foundation. And because of a good routine, and medication from my dermatologist, my skin has cleared up enought that I might go back to the Vita Lumiere Aqua foundation I loved, but it just wasn't working with my skin.



What are your go to skin products? Let me know in the comments below!

Stylish Sundays: Dreary Day

It was a rainy and dreary day a few days ago, which are my favorite kind of days. I took my son to the Library and we checked out more books than we could possibly read and then had pumpkin coffee (his was decaf,) and it was kinda the perfect day. One that I definitely look forward to repeating more this fall.

Cardigan: H&M, Tee: V.S. Pink, Pants: H&M, Shoes: Keds Necklace: H&M

On My Face: Nars TInted Moisturizer, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Covergirl Bombshell Eyeliner, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, Benefit's They're Real Mascara, Covergirl Glossy Balm

I'm almost 100% certain that Keds are my favorite brand of shoes ever. I'm so happy I bought them in gray, because gray is probably my favorite color. And look the leaves are starting to fall off of the huge tree in my backyard. The first few leaves that fall always get me so excited for the fall weather.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I was tagged to do the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS by CGC Daily. Who *cheated and tagged all their contributors, and since I'm a contributor I kinda have to don't I? Check out their challenge here. You guys know that I have a huge soft spot for good causes, so...



I tag Kallie of But First, Coffee, Hanna of Hanna Lei and Carly of The College Prepster.

 

What I wore: Navy Tee: The Limited Shorts: Krass and Co.

 

 

 

 

*no cheating actually took place

Finding Me

Welcome to Fashion and Happy Things new look! Grab a cup of tea or coffee and get cozy and stick around.

In September it will be 5 year since I started Fashion and Happy Things, and 2 years since it's last makeover. I watched Taylor Swifts Live Stream on Monday and what she said about making an album every two years really stuck with me. Two years is enough time to change the way you dress, change your hair, change the kind of music you like. I've changed a lot in the last two years.
I want Fashion and Happy Things to represent me, as I am now. Somethings will never change, but the things you see in the image above, and the things in my header image are my absolute favorite things right now. I still love Sweaters, but instead of loose oversized cardigans, I'm loving fitted crew necks. I'm still obsessed with books, but I'm less into vampire books than I was. Instead of gushing over Ballet Flats, I adore Keds and Boots. I still drink way more tea than healthy, but I'm fruity teas and relaxing teas rather than black teas. And of course I changed my hair.
I really feel like these things represent me. I feel like I've changed so much, but I've somehow stayed exactly the same. Let me know in the comments what you think of the changes around here.

Book Review: Cuckoo's Calling

Recently Cuckoo's Calling was on sale at my local Grocery store, so I grabbed it.

Cuckoo's Calling is about a Private Investigator named Cormoran Strike and his new secretary Robin Ellacott. He's asked to investigate the death of model Lula Landry by her brother John Bristow. Cormoran ends up finding out more than he bargained for.

I loved this book. It was well written and had I not been told by the back of the book, I would have never guessed that this was written by J.K. Rowling. I actually wish they would have kept that secret. I think if an author uses a pen name, then they are due to keep their privacy.



I recommend this book completely. I love mysteries, especially this time of year and I can't wait to read the second book int he series, The Silkworm

Stylish Sundays: Angela Chase

I am a big fan of the 90's. I turned 4 in 1990, so everything I really remember about my childhood happened in the 90's. My So Called Life and Are You Afraid Of The Dark were my absolute favorite shows, Clueless is still my favorite movie and Placebo is still my favorite band. So of course I'm a big fan of the 90's Grunge revival that's happening right now.

This outfit was a complete accident. I hang my long sleeved shirts and button downs on the same rail as my dresses and I completely forgot about this flannel. So I was flipping through my closet and this dress and top were right next to each other.

Since  this tweet conversation happened after I bought this dress,
https://twitter.com/ManaSmith86/status/489638128190103553
https://twitter.com/leighannsays/status/489661586483990528

it was like the clouds parted and Angela Chase told me I had to.

Dress: ASOS,  Flannel: PacSun, Knee Socks: Hue, Booties: Old Navy, Sunglasses: Madewell

On My Face: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Nars Blush in Deep Throat, The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eyeliner in Delinquent, YSL Babydoll Mascara, Benefit They're Real Mascara, Hourglass Liquid Lipstick in Rose, Bath and Body Works Lipgloss in PommeCider

Necklaces: Gift, Gift, Forever 21

Nails: Zoya Muse Because what other nail polish would you wear with a very 90's outfit?



I am completely aware that I need more flannels in my life.  And don't be surprised if you see another one pop up here in the next few weeks. Seriously if I could wear flannels from now until Spring I would. We were geniuses in the 90's, tying a flannel around your waist makes it look tiny, and if you get cold, oh look you have a nice warm flannel right there.

What's your favorite trend from a past decade that's current right now? Midi Skirts from the 50's, Mini's from the 60's, Boho from the 70's, Neon or Leggings from the 80's, or the Grunge from the 90's? Let me know in the comments below.

Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

It's been a while since I bought any new nail stuff, but a couple weeks ago Zoya was having their 3 free sale, where you only pay shipping. At the same time that was going on I ran out of both my top coat and base coats so I decided to try something new.

From Sephora I bought the Formula X top coat and base coat

and I also picked up A little Sexy because it was on sale for $5

admittedly I should have just paid $3 more and gotten their system, but hindsight is 20/20. Next time though.

Then from Zoya I picked up 3 gorgeous colors;

I think these are from the Tickled and Bubbly collection

I picked out Muse:

Binx:

and Wendy:

Binx is probably my favorite, because of the name. Hocus Pocus is probably one of my favorite movies, and Thackeray Binx is my absolute favorite Character.  Howl was very close to being named Thackeray, but Howl suited him better. I picked out Wendy because melon colors get me every time, and it looked similar to one that Fleur had recently had in her favorites. And Muse got picked because as my husband says " They're a really good band". I wasn't kidding when I said I sometimes buy and wear polishes because of their names.

I forgot how much I loved Zoya nail polishes and am really looking forward to buying some more of them in the near future.

Stylish Sundays: Business Floral

I was getting dressed the other day and realized there's been a lot of jeans and tee shirts lately, and my dressier, cuter clothes were getting neglected.

Gap Boyfriend Button Down, H&M Floral Pants, H&M Coral and Tan Flats

Kate Spade Skinny Minnie Bow Necklace

Nails: Essie French Affair, topped with Julep's Audrey

Before I show you what makeup I wore, I'd like to point out that both Howl and I got groomed:

Howl goes to Pawsitively Purrfect in Florence Kentucky, which we absolutely adore. Honestly, they do the best job on Howl's fur, and he always looks so perfect when we pick him up. And I see Christie at Tonya's Image and Wellness Salon. I adore Christie, and she's probably the only hair dresser I've ever been to multiple times. This time we took about two more inches off for a style that's a bit closer to how Taylor Swift has her hair currently. I'm completely in love with it, for right now, but I don't think I'll be keeping it this short forever. If you're in the Crestview, Kentucky Area and you need a haircut or color, then definitely go see her.

Makeup: Nars Tinted Moisturizer, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Nars Blush in Deep Throat Blush, YSL Shocking Mascara, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Eye Palette, Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Bourbon , The Balm Mary Lou Manizer, YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm in #4 Succulent Pomegranate

Fall Keds

So you know I'm crazy obsessed with my Coral Keds that I got for spring last year. I can't count all the times I wore them this spring and summer. You can see some of the ways I styled them here, here, here, and uh, here. So it would only make sense that I absolutely needed a pair for fall. So when I saw that they had Keds on sale, I picked up a pair in Nordstrom's Anniversary sale.

I mentioned in another post that I wasn't sure what color to get, and I was really torn between, Black,Grey, Burgundy, Red and Navy. But I ended up settling on Grey. It's kinda my favorite color, and it's definitely one of my most worn colors. And it's a neutral that will go with anything, but especially Navy and Black. Which is good because sometimes I have trouble matching shoes to Navy, because I don't always want to wear brown with it. Especially since my only brown shoes are my boots or my sperry's.

and then preceded to take far to many pictures of them.

I'm absolutely obsessed with these shoes. The Grey looks way better in person than it did online and I will be wearing these to obsessively this fall.

They came with both yellow and white laces, and I decided that while the yellow laces are striking in the photos, and super cute because the Keds label on the tongue and the insoles are the same shade of yellow...

I'm still probably going to use the white laces most of the time. They just look so crisp with the white laces. Once again there was no break in time needed and I'm wearing them for the second time right now and they're so comfortable. I still want them in black, and in red, and all of the other colors, and I really want a pair of the Kate Spade for Keds,  so don't be surprised if you see another Ked's haul here in the near future.

If you were going to buy a pair of Keds, what color would you choose?

Stylish Sundays: Back To School

It's back to school time everywhere, which always makes me nostalgic for when I was little. Not high school, but 3rd grade because that was my favorite year ever. Back to School then meant new crayons and saddle shoes and fresh pencils.

That year I probably wore something very 90's like maybe plaid pants with a peplum and suspenders and a shirt that had a now on it. (No seriously, that's what I wore. Stop laughing, it was cute...then)

So I decided that I'd put together an outfit that is wear if I were going back to school today.

Shirt: Feed for Target Skirt: The Limited Shoes: Old Navy (but a present from a friend) Necklace: Gift from a friend.

I love this outfit. The top fulfills my need to do good, because it was part of Feed's Target campaign. If you don't know what Feed is or what they do, there is more information here.
I've had this skirt for a while now and it's a bit to big so I felt like I could never make it work. I wore it once before here. But I didn't love how it turned out. However my dad taught me to sew so I took it in a bit, and now it's perfect.
And these booties were a gift from my sister in law T. I absolutely adore these boots and they're perfect for fall.

On my face: Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer, Makeup Forever HD Setting Powder, Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer, The Balm Frat Boy blush, Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, YSL Shocking Mascara, Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Black and Nude, Hourglass Liquid Lipstick in Rose.

Hair: Curled with a Flat Iron

And of course since it's back to school I had to wear my pen necklace that Mrs. Cannady gave me. It's my favorite necklace.