New to me Beauty

We all have beauty products that we buy over and over again. Tried, tested, and true, some things just become staples in our beauty arsenals. They just work! But sometimes, you decide to go outside the norm and see what else is out on the market.

These are mine. I'm still playing around with them so this isn't necessarily a review of each product, just a peek into what I'm using and or doing lately as part of my routine.

Billion Dollar Brows

Quite a name isn't it? I think it's pretty cheesy, but I'm also hoping this nightly brow boost helps because my brows are too thin for my liking and I need help growing them. Listen up you 13- year olds out there...don't over-tweeze! You will regret it when you're older. That's exactly what I did, and I'm still paying the price. I just bought this last week so I'll let you know what comes of it. 

Maybelline Lash Sensational

Stubby lashes have been my foe since I was a teen, and mascara is one of my most beloved products to help me look awake. It's amazing what lashes do for the face! I picked this one up on a whim, and it's well...just okay. The wand is a bit curved to reach into the lashline, but the volume and length isn't very noticeable on me. I'm using it during the week for work, but it's not one I'll repurchase. This is one area where I just need to stick with my tried and true! (Benefit and CoverGirl lashblast).

Philosophy "Falling in Love"  3 in 1

I don't typically treat myself to a fancy shower gel. I love the many options that drugstores carry, and I don't find it necessary to pay for an expensive one. So I don't exactly know what possessed me to order this, aside from the fact that I love the brand but I am so happy I did. The fragrance is soft and very clean. Even Nate likes it, and he's very picky about scents. 

I have some bronzers (such as the one pictured above) that have a sheen or subtle sparkle so instead of using them all over my face, I have been using them as blush. I find that they are too unnatural as all-over face powder, but swept lightly on the cheeks, they provide a gorgeous golden glow. 

Speaking of a glow, I got a facial last week that I absolutely loved. I've only experienced a facial a handful of times in my life, but this one was particularly needed as my skin has been so dry. I had rough patches near my nose and eyes, probably from allergies and constant sweeping away of tears. Have your allergies been bad this season? I was contemplating getting eyelash extensions, but I don't think I can with watery, itchy eyes! Anyway, the facial was the perfect pick-me-up and my skin today is soft, moisturized, and more even. 

This picture from my best friend's birthday was filtered using color, but my skin definitely looks much better than it did a few weeks ago. I think a facial every three months is my new remedy to combat dryness. 

Thank you for reading!

Continue the post

Soft Pink Pleats

Wearing //

Wayf dress via Nordstrom

Vince Camuto pumps

Halogen via Nordstrom bag

Express earrings

Various delicate rings, similar here 

Beauty //

Essie nails in "Bump up the Pumps"

After turning 30 last year, I realized that I enjoy celebrating other friends' birthdays much more. There is less pressure to be "on", and I can just sit back and shower others with attention. Sort of the way I felt about my wedding, or being in a wedding. I'm not someone who does well with several eyes on me, which is ironic considering I have a blog on the internet for the whole world to see. Thank goodness this is a small blog, otherwise I'd probably close up shop. Anyway, back to turning 30. It was my best friend's 30th on Saturday, and I had the best time in San Diego with her close family and friends. I chose this ultra feminine dress to wear that night because I wanted to feel comfortable yet still polished. I can't even tell you how many times someone commented that I looked like a "cute, 1950's housewife". I took it as a compliment although it was a strange thing to hear. Does that imply I look like a stepford wife? I'm still trying to figure it out, but either way, I'm going to wear the heck out of this dress!

Continue the post

Full Swing Spring

Wearing //

Joie via Nordstrom Rack Blouse, similar here but check stores! 

Topshop Skirt, similar here but I want this one

J.Crew Factory Sandals

Kate Spade bag, so cute for Summer!

Gorjana necklace via Rocksbox (get one month free with code beachfirenkxoxo)

Beauty //

Essie nails in Cascade Cool (fingers)

This white swingy skirt is still my favorite thing to wear. You guys have seen it a million times, but I always pull it out when I don't know what else to wear. Paired with my new silk blouse from Nordstrom Rack (and my first Joie piece), I think it really epitomizes the lighthearted feeling of Spring. I wore this to a send-off party. My friend is going back east to work, and he just got married. Poor guy. I hate goodbyes. I feel even worse for his new bride, who has to be without her love for a few months until he can settle back here permanently. I'm sure time will fly. Reassuring people is what I love to do best, and I know that just saying a few kind words here and there makes all the difference when someone is hurting. Given that it's been in the 90's all week, it already feels like August. So, humor helps too right? (Insert a winking emoji here).

Continue the post

Currently Loving

These three beauty products are my favorites right now, but if I have to recommend just one for you to try, it's the Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels.

I used the eye gels before my friend's wedding and it definitely provided an immediate result. It didn't take my fine lines away, but it did de-puff, firm, and brighten my undereye area. Not to mention how incredibly relaxing they felt. They are essentially like stickers that you place under each eye for about ten minutes. One side has the gel that is nice and cooling. I will never be without them. They are perfect for a special event when you need an extra beauty boost, but they are also great for a self-care treat anytime.


I'm really into brights for my nails almost every Spring and Summer, but it's also nice to take a break from those and wear something a bit more subdued and elegant. Plus let's face it, nude polish is just so easy and fool-proof! I have quite a few options in my nail polish collection, but this one by O.P.I. is my current love. I wore it on my wedding day.


Three Summers ago, I purchased Summer Grace perfume by Philosophy and proceeded to quickly use it up. It is described as Summer in a bottle, and I have to agree. I think it has since been discontinued because I've looked everywhere for it, but I found it here. I again will use it all Summer long.



While browsing my giant pile of magazines I need to catch up on this weekend, I was stopped in my tracks by this image:

Hello Lover!

God I love J.Crew shoes. So well-done, and classic but with a modern twist. Precisely my style.

I got my second Rocksbox yesterday, though I think it had been sitting in my mailbox all weekend. Everything was to my liking though, and I can't wait to wear my pretty jewels. I'll be sure to do some outfit posts and show them off next week. It's time I get back to a regular blogging schedule and quit having so much fun (and a life). 

Remember, use code beachfirenkxoxo for your first month free! I hate sounding like a pushy salesperson, but I really do love this company's concept and the designers involved are wonderful. 

What are you loving lately in the style/beauty world? Anything I should know about?

Continue the post

White Jeans

Wearing //

Express cami

Express cardigan, similar look here and here

LOFT jeans

Vince Camuto heels, old

Halogen Clutch (love)

Stella & Dot pendant

Beauty //

Essie nails in Flowerista

After seeing so many of my favorite ladies wearing their white jeans beautifully, I decided to give them a whirl. I've never worn them. I've adhered to the rule that if you're pear-shaped, you should stick to dark washed jeans for the ultimate flattering effect. So, I've religiously followed this for ages. I love jeans, but they can sometimes feel constricting and when worn in a bright shade of white, that can definitely add some extra fear of looking, well...not so svelte. Who wants lumps and bumps? Not I. However, in my quest to get over myself and my insecurities, I've decided to wear white jeans. They are the curvy skinny version from LOFT, and they are nice and roomy in the bum, hips, and thighs while still being form fitting in the waist and legs. I do wish they didn't bunch up so much at the ankles. I went up a size in hopes of curtailing that and they were too loose, so I went with my usual 28 petite. I love that white is such a trend right now. You can pair anything with it, and it's great for Spring and Summer.

Speaking of which, look at how dry the grass is?! This California drought is in high gear, and it's zapping the life out of all of our beautiful nature. I'm praying we get more rain soon. Fingers crossed.

Continue the post

Wedding Style

I went to my friend's wedding this past Saturday, and it was probably even more exciting than my own. Okay, that might be an exaggeration but I really did enjoy it because for the first time in many months, I was a guest. Being in a wedding is an honor, but it can also be nerve racking! I was happy to just sit back and be an observer this time, especially since my husband was the best man.

I have one more wedding to attend in June. All of this has me thinking about my wedding guest style over the years.

Most recent, photobooth fun.

I wanted to get a good full-length picture of my outfit but I was so caught up that I forgot to ask. 

I essentially wore this, minus the trench, and I paired it with nude accessories: 

My new nude clutch from the brand Halogen (via Nordstrom)

The cobalt blue was perfect because it matched the color scheme of her wedding. 

This blush/peach dress is what I wore in my best friend's wedding, and then I wore it again less then a month later to my own dress rehearsal. 

Now let's go back a few years. This is an Instagram photo because my camera quality was so ridiculously terrible when I first started blogging, that just the photo of myself makes me reach for my glasses. I'm actually embarrassed! But, we all gotta start somewhere, right?

This black Express dress was my choice. I believe I was 25 here, and my friend Nicole was the first of my circle to get married. 

I have NO CLUE what I'll be wearing in June. The dresses I picked out and mentioned in this post unfortunately don't make the cut, unless I can manage the green one. I've been doing some research on Pinterest.

Still dreaming about this one by Eliza J:

This darling little number would be ideal:

Jessica Alba

So what do you ladies recommend? Do you have any weddings to attend this Summer?

Continue the post