Now that the holiday season has officially arrived, I wanted to share with you a hairstyle perfect for any upcoming festivities. This braided ponytail is one of my favorite looks and I love the messy texture. Gone are the days where every strand has to be in place. Now, we are embracing texture, loose curls, and of course, volume!
Pro Beauty Tools, doesn't want you to miss out on the fun, so be sure to check out below and see how you can win some of my favorite hair appliances. They deliver professional performance and quality that will have you styling like a pro in no time. Good luck and thanks for stopping by! xx
1. I recommend this look on day old (or 2-day old) hair. I find that when my hair is dirty, it actually turns out better when doing a braided updo such as this.
Start by spraying dry shampoo all over hair, focusing on roots. I've tried numerous brands, and one that I am currently loving is the Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo (I use the color light and it helps keep my roots not so harsh). Use at the roots for added volume and a matte texture. Be sure to brush out the powder with a
The Holiday Collection | Stocking Stuffers
Happy Friday everyone! Today I wanted to share with you a gift guide featuring stocking stuffers at all price points. I love this Perfume Set by Tory Burch (and the price). I also this eye shadow palette...it's perfect for everyday. I plan on picking up some of this beard oil for Austin and a pair of these Happy Socks. Hope you guys have a great weekend and thanks so much for reading! xx
PS- I just announced the winners from my Black Friday Giveaway here. Thank you so much for all who entered!
If you won, congratulations! Please email me in the next 24 hrs with the same email you used to enter. If I do not hear from you by 12:30 CDT tomorrow (12/5), I will select and email another winner. Thank you! ...
The Holiday Collection Under $100
In an effort to be ahead of the game this year with my holiday shopping, I’ve started early with some budget friendly buys. You may have seen my ideas for her (here and here) but I know it's nice to have some options at all price points!
I absolutely love this PJ Short Set. I have them in the blue (true to size) and they are so incredibly soft. I definitely wouldn't mind getting another pair! I also love this little sleep mask. And at $14, it's great to give your best girlfriends or secret santa. I just purchased these grey over the knee boots (available in black here). I have been on the hunt for an affordable pair, and these were perfect. Thanks for stopping by and stayed tuned for more gifting ideas coming next Friday!
For more holiday inspiration check out my happy holidays pinterest board here.
Happy shopping! xx
The Holiday Collection For Her + Giveaway
As you know, the holidays will be here before we know it and I've been hard at work creating a new series featuring my favorite holiday gift guides for the 2015 season. Whether it be your family, boyfriend, best friend (or yourself), I've got it covered. Also, I'm hosting some exciting giveaways this month so be sure to check back so you don't miss out!
This week is focusing on Gifts for Her and I'm sharing some gift ideas at all price points. My favorites include this camel coat (follow size chart), these Chanel studs, and this plaid scarf. I also love this watch by Timex. The leather straps are timeless and it's the perfect gift at $64.
I appreciate all of you and want to start off the holiday season with giving two lucky readers a $100 gift card to a store of their choice! Just follow the directions below and enter to win a $100 gift card to either J Crew or Nordstrom. There will be two winners, so be sure to follow all of the steps in order to be eligible.
Winners will be announced in this Friday's (11/13) blog post.
Thank you so much and best of luck!
Over the Knee
Purchasing these over the knee boots last fall has been a great investment. I was honestly a little hesitant considering they are far more dramatic than my normal everyday wear, but I have been very surprised about the ease of an OTK boot.
Pulling off a tall boot doesn't have to be hard. The key is to stick with simple styles that help establish a long, lean silhouette. Personally, I like to pair them with jeans or leggings and an oversized sweater or poncho. For the appearance of longer legs, wear them with black pants or leggings. You may laugh, but it's crazy how this really works (especially when wearing these).
I also love these flat boots (similar under $200) as they are more practical for day to day wear. Not to mention they are really comfortable! Either way, you can't go wrong.
Have you tried over the knee boots? What are your favorite styles?
Thanks for reading! xx
The Packing List | A Weekend Cruise
I love a weekend getaway. Don't we all? In just a few short days, Ashley and I, along with a few other girlfriends will be heading to New York to set sail on the Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. Though this is a quick trip, I am looking forward to sailing around the New York Harbor and experiencing Royal Caribbean's newest smartship.
New York in the Fall is my absolute favorite. The air is crisp and the trees are a beautiful orange. I can't wait to see the gorgeous city as we cruise the harbor.
The Anthem of the Seas is the first of it's kind and I am looking forward to trying out some of the exciting amenities. From a skydiving simulator to bumper cars, this ship has everything. Personally, I am looking forward to trying a few of the many restaurants (18 to be exact) and hopefully checking out the
Recent Beauty Buys
With a new season approaching, it's time to start transitioning our summer makeup to something a little more neutral or bold for Fall. Just like we switch up our wardrobe, the same is true for our makeup.
Here are a few easy ways to freshen up your makeup bag for fall.
Before I start sharing my recent beauty finds, what better way to store your makeup than a personalized makeup bag or monogrammed acrylic case? These are two items that will definitely last you all year long, and are perfect for storing your makeup or jewelry.
Makeup brushes can make all the difference when applying foundation or contouring. Recently, I purchased 3 new brushes from Sigma Beauty. I am new to the brand, but was pretty impressed with the reviews and the price point. Brushes can be so expensive, but these seemed more affordable than most and still maintained good quality.
So are they worth it? Yes! These brushes are amazing. They are made from Sigmax Synthetic Fibers, meaning they don't absorb liquid or cream foundations and I have found that they don't shed like many natural hair brushes. Using these brushes have made a huge difference with applying my makeup ...
Summer Makeup Routine
After posting this picture to my instagram account, it was clear that many of you have been looking for a lightweight tinted moisturizer or are interested in a good summer makeup routine. Like most of you, I tend to lay off the heavy makeup during the summer months. Don't get me wrong, I wear it, just a lighter version than normal and it's usually packed with high SPF.
These are the products you will find in my makeup bag. Unless it's date night or a special occasion, I like to keep it easy and quick. A lightweight tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, mascara and a few other products seem to do the trick during the summer months.
Side note: for those who are trying to grow out your brows, I have been using Castor Oil for the past month and a half and I have seen a huge difference. It took some patience, but recently, I have been noticing more "fullness" to my brows. Highly recommend!
.01 Kiehl's Tinted BB Cream: I stumbled upon this product after researching tinted moisturizers for our summer and our upcoming trips. I didn't want to wear makeup to the beach, but I did want something with a little tint and a high SPF. When I got this in the mail, I immediately tried it and realized that it could be used more ...
Recent Beauty Buys
Happy Friday everyone! I have been getting some requests to bring back my Beauty Talk series so I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my recent beauty buys- specifically for eyes and brows.
If you are new to my blog, you need to know I have a thing for makeup and skin care. While in high school and college I worked part time at a beauty salon and loved every second of it. I guess that's where I picked up my love for products and desire to learn more about them and how they work on our skin!
I'm always looking to learn more and hear about your favorites so feel free to comment below!
I've had my eye on the Small York Cosmetic Case for a while, and finally pulled the trigger when my other case wore out. I love it! I was a little worried it wouldn't fit everything, but I have been really happy with the structure and quality of this little bag. It fits the right amount for the girl on the go!
Let's talk about brows. This has been the hardest part for me to "get right". I just could not find the right color or tool to make my ...
Daily Makeup & Skincare
I love trying new makeup and skincare products. And if you've been reading for a while, you know I love to try new things! Of course, I have my favorites that I use on a regular basis, but I also look forward to testing new products and sharing reviews with you guys.
These are the products that I am currently using. I have been really impressed with how they make my skin look and feel. My skin hasn't always been the best, so it was always a challenge to find makeup that didn't break me out or cause me to be too oily. These products seem to do the trick and I couldn't be happier!
What do you use on a daily basis?
1. Complexion Rescue Foundation- This foundation is amazing. I used Bare Minerals Loose Powder for years in high school and was thrilled to see they came out with this tinted gel cream. I like that this has a build-able coverage, and it's perfect for days when I want something light. I use a dime size on the smooth foundation brush for light coverage or a nickel size for a heavier look. Either way, it's made a huge difference for my skin!
2. Protective Face Base- Best. Primer. Ever. Not only does this have SPF 50 ...
