New L'Oreal Lash Paradise

I was kindly sent a PR package from L'Oreal a few weeks ago.

Aside from the fact that a well-known beauty brand gifted me ANYTHING, there was one product that really stood out. Voluminous lash paradise mascara has turned me once again into a drugstore beauty believer. Here's why:

It lifts the lashes and holds a curl until it's removed.

It has great coverage in just one coat, but is also buildable. I usually opt for two coats. The result is fluttery lashes that look long and full.

It doesn't flake off. I can't stand mascara that does that!

The wand as you'll see below is large, but not so big that you can't coat every lash. Thicker wands often feel awkward but this one allows for optimal control. I normally prefer plastic bristles as they grip lashes better, but this one is perfect for building tons of volume.

The formula isn't watery, but it's also not too thick. My gripe about the regular Voluminous mascara is that it translates to goopy lashes. This formula is much easier to work with and layer without looking overdone.

Wearing the lash paradise

I don't plan on purchasing any high-end mascara after trying this. In fact, this is the only mascara in my collection now. You know that Too Faced mascara that I once raved about? It also comes in a pink tube...this is even better than that, and at a fraction of the price! 

Have you tried lash paradise? If not, make a Target run. You're welcome 😙

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What Makes You Feel Beautiful?

There are so many reasons to feel inadequate - but why not choose to feel beautiful? 

Wearing //

Nordstrom Rack tank

Express skirt (old) but similar here

Sole Society heels, similar here & love these

BR bag, beautiful option

Stella & Dot bracelet

Beauty //

Nars lips in "Sex Machine"

That's the question that's been dancing around in my head lately. I'm not sure you've noticed but I haven't had the desire to blog much recently.  I don't want to make excuses as to why, but I do want to be honest about it. I could say that I've been busy or that Summer is the perfect time to take a break, but those aren't exactly true. 

I haven't felt like putting myself together because I've been feeling pretty insecure. Not just for blog pictures but in my daily life as well. Self-doubt has crept in again and I have been hesitating on every decision I've been making, even trivial things like "what should I wear?" 

A lot of the clothes that used to spark joy last Summer no longer fit me anymore due to weight gain. Because I've been somewhat uninspired with the current trends, I have been looking back on my own archives to gather ideas. Even though I still own many of the pieces I used to love wearing, I can't put them on because they don't fit. It's so frustrating. When I started this blog, I was a size 4. Now I'm a size 8. And there's nothing wrong with that! Eight years later and my body has changed. I mean, it happens! It's just a number. But when I'm worried about certain angles or what the internet will think of my body, taking blog photos is more of a hassle and less about showing my style. 

Case in point, these photos. I almost wasn't going to post them because I wasn't feeling particularly pretty that day. I let my hair air-dry into a frizzy ball, I had a pimple forming on my chin, and there were a group of teenage boys laughing while Nate snapped away. Normally I don't let those things bother me, but I did. After reviewing these on the camera, I ended the day on a bad note and my mood was ruined for the night. Poor Nate. I know it's frustrating for him too. He just wanted to have a nice evening with his wife but my insecurities over pictures put a damper on things. 

Then I asked myself, why do I continue to do this? Am I going to let negative self-talk interrupt a hobby I love?

The answer is NO. I love fashion and clothes and beauty products and regardless of whether or not I blog, I would continue to love these things so why not just share them with you? Can't it just be that simple?

 Why not just choose to feel beautiful? There's always going to be a reason to not feel good enough. As a woman, I'm always going to struggle to not pass judgement on myself. 

 I feel beautiful when I spend time with a dear friend, when I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe, when I compliment a perfect stranger. I can choose to live in my shortcomings, or I can work on them while still choosing to see the good things in myself. That's the plan anyway...

What makes you feel beautiful? Thank you for listening! I mean, reading 💗

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Voluminous Sleeves

Wearing //

Anthro dress

I'll have to admit that the "statement sleeve" trend hasn't been my favorite. In fact, just a few weeks ago I wrote on Twitter that it's one trend I'm tired of seeing. I think it has good intentions - take something basic and give it a little twist. But more often than not, I've been left scratching my head. I think if you're fairly thin, detailed sleeves can look chic. But if you're like me and aren't exactly toned in the arm area, lots of volume can add more bulk, creating an unflattering silhouette. What's a girl to do? 

Enter this beautiful plum colored dress I bought from Anthropologie. I didn't think I would like it, but as soon as I tried it on, I knew that this was one dress I could make work. It didn't hurt that I've had a gift card burning a hole in my wallet for ages! The key for me is to keep things simple - allow the dress to be the focal point and use very little fluff everywhere else. I know it'll transition well into the Fall given its overall shape and color. 

What do you ladies think of the trend? I wore it to my friend's birthday dinner and it was perfect for the occasion!

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Style & Beauty Updates

Every year I shop the Nordstrom anniversary sale. Or shall I say, the #nsale? I've been doing so since college. However, blogging has really changed the game over the last couple years and now more people are aware of it. That's great! It's the perfect time to preview what the coming season will look like, and it's also good for picking up basics.  But I'm going to be frank - the constant barrage of bloggers posting about it has left a bad taste in my mouth and this time around, I placed a very small order. I tried on some things in-store and nothing really wowed me. It seems like styles I already own are still on trend for Fall so I passed on several things. You have to be strategic!

I did grab this candle set by Voluspa. I'm not very discriminating with scents as long as they actually permeate the room. This is a great deal because you get three candles for less than the price of two. Otherwise, I don't buy these at full price anymore.

This BLANKNYC suede jacket is on back order, but it will ship in a few days and considering how hot it is, I won't need it for a long time anyway. This is one item I knew I wanted even before the sale began. I was immediately enamored with the spice shade as it flatters my coloring. I sized up to a large after trying on the medium. It's worth it, feels like butter!

In my quest for longer lasting lip stains, I spotted these by the brand Pixi at Target. One end is the gel stain, while the other is a gloss. I've worn both shades (pink and berry) and love them. They feel smooth on the lips and the stain lasts all day. The gloss, not so much, but it feels really moisturizing. They look much brighter in the tube than they do on my lips, so don't be fearful if you're worried about too much color.

Lately I've been thinking about incorporating more of my weekday style into my IG feed. I've refrained in the past because my weekday wardrobe is redundant and I wasn't sure anyone would find it helpful. Would you guys want to see that? It won't take over my feed but I figure two or three times per week might suffice. Let me know! Here is one I posted on Tuesday.

I'm living in my Express barcelona camisoles, which sadly seem to be discontinued. I've also been wearing my flats again to switch up Summer sandals. I feel so much more put-together when I pair anything with flats!

Have a great weekend!

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Stella & Dot Fall '17: My Picks

New packaging in shades of blush and rose gold. Perfect for gifts!

As a Stella & Dot stylist, I'm always ecstatic when a new collection arrives. Fall is hands-down the best time to shop, isn't it? I love jewel tones, cozy knits, and layering. Unfortunately, SoCal doesn't really get to experience all that the season has to offer so while everyone wears their ankle boots and cardigans, I reach for jewelry to make my wardrobe look more updated.

This has to be my favorite collection since I became a stylist! It took me a few days to narrow down a list, and yet I still have my eye on a few things I didn't order at the jump. There are so many great basics that fit nicely in my collection, but there are also fun trendy items I know you will love.

Trends for Fall include: mixing metals, rose gold, natural stones, shades of olive, blush, burgundy, and blue, as well as a whimsical theme. There is something for everyone, whether you like being bold or prefer delicate pieces that can be worn on a daily basis.

I used to sample a little of everything when I first started out, but now I only buy what suits my personal style. Here are my picks from the Fall 2017 collection:

Open druzy cuff

You know I love cobalt and druzy so this was immediately added to my cart. It's even more vibrant in person, and I plan on layering it with some of my other gold bracelets, If you live in neutrals, an ocean blue like this is a great way to introduce some color.

My new daily necklace, the pave Arabesque. 

I love silver and this is an effortless way to update my collection. 

The brier ring comes in different sizes. It has so much shine with the apricot colored stones

Engravable Bangle

This is a must-have, and if there's one piece I highly recommend, it's a bangle that you can engrave with whatever you choose. Your kids' names, wedding date, birthday, or a special saying that serves as a reminder every time you glance down at your arm. They come in yellow gold, silver, and rose gold.

As an aside, mine say "Never let your fears decide your fate" and "Show love with no remorse". Both are song lyrics that have resonated with me for somewhat obvious reasons. I hope you'll keep these in mind if you're ever in the market for a thoughtful gift! With fast fashion becoming the norm in an age of social media and selfies, I love personal jewelry that is unique to YOU.

Also, I want to mention some exciting news - beginning this Friday, we will be offering a dose of fashion to go along with your jewels. That's right, tops! Tops and tees that I cannot wait to get my hands on. It's a natural progression since people often ask what the models are wearing in the lookbooks.

If you're interested in any of these, send me an email or shop my online boutique here. There is lot to choose from!

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Dressed Up Casual

Wearing //

Nordstrom necklace, similar here

H&M tee

LOFT skirt, love this option

Zara slides, similar here, here, here

Chelsea28 bag, gorgeous designer look for less

A black skirt is just as essential in my wardrobe as a black dress. I've had this one from LOFT for years, and even though I don't reach for it very often, it's managed to survive several closet clean-outs. You really can't go wrong with such a basic piece.

My issue is that I never know whether to dress it up or dress it down. The chiffon style fabric makes it look formal, but the elastic waistband keeps it casual. When we went out for drinks last week with friends, I decided that I would play up both elements. I wore it with a simple tee shirt, but used metallic accessories in an effort to make it more fun for a night on the town. In Summer, I find it difficult to strike the right balance between wearing what I want to wear, and making sure that my outfit is practical in the heat. Do you have this problem? It's really the only thing about Summer that I dislike. But I have a couple of general rules I like to follow...

Two ways to look put-together while still keeping cool: 
+ Use accessories to make basics look more interesting. It's all about the finishing touches! When I wear a tee, I either layer delicate necklaces or I wear one statement piece. The necklace I have on is older and from Nordstrom, but this one is extremely similar and I actually prefer it because you can wear it multiple ways. It might need a home with me.
+ My inclination is always to pair a skirt with pumps, but metallic sandals are just as pretty and they look more appropriate for Summer. There isn't anything I hate more than trudging around in heels when I'm already uncomfortable from the heat!

I hope you had a great weekend! I got a little too much sun but hey, no complaints! I have two really fun posts planned for Wednesday and Friday so check back then! In the meantime, I'm linking up with my friends Rachelle and Carylee.

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