Tuesday, September 29, 2015

For My Fellow Tall Girls Out There...

Rejoice. The perfectly fitting romper is upon us. For anyone, even if you just have a long torso and aren't quite comfortable in rompers, I have found the website of reasonably priced, specialty-made-for-tall-girls, rompers and dresses. 


Now you may be thinking, "oh just another tall section with 10 items," but no. I'm talking a lot of rompers dresses shirts and pants and even a specific sale section dedicated to tall clothing. I know a lot of you are probably already asos pro's, but it's not as big here in the U.S. It's an amazing amazing site with clothing brands that you can't find elsewhere, and items that fit a huge range of budgets. A haul will most definitely be coming within the next 2 weeks, but for now take a sneak peak at a few items I may have put in my bag...




All images from us.asos.com

Sunday, September 27, 2015

6 things I miss about autumn now that I live in the tropics

I promise that I love where I live. Constant warm weather, sunny days and palm trees? It's seriously one of those things that will constantly make you happy. BUT with that comes a lack of a real autumn, which is for sure my second favorite season. Here's 6 things I miss:

1) Changing leaves: I always love my green, but honestly how could red orange and yellow EVERYWHERE not be beautiful? And it's just so autumnal and iconic.

2) Crisper days: again, I'm not putting down my daily upper 80's. However, I do like that time of the year when you pull out some more heavy clothes and layers, and your cheeks just begin to get a little red from the cold. I like this weather too when it's sunny, because it just feels so comfortable.

3) Speaking of crisper days, sweaters and jeans: I'm a fashion lover. And seeing everyone bring out the sweaters in the darker and warmer colors, as well as jeans, well it's just something I kinda miss. I brought way to many sweaters with me to school, and I've not worn any of them, and probably won't until December.

4) Fireplaces: My dad is so good at making a warm and cozy fire. I absolutely adore getting cozy and warm in front of the fire, plus in a weird way it just looks really pretty. It also always means family time and snuggles with my dog, whom I very dearly miss.

5) Autumn smells: So I could just run down to Bath and Body Works and get all of there fall smells super easy, but it's not quite the same. In the north, the smell is everywhere. Here, I still smell humidity and very summer floral smells. I really love the smell of fresh fall-type smells, apples, and nutty smells. 

6) Decor: I miss pumpkins! I know it's such a small thing but we have a bunch of pumpkin patches and corn mazes all around us. They're sold everywhere and they just are so happy in my opinion. I also really like the mums that people put around and leaves and fall colors that are decorated around the house. It isn't such a common thing here in Florida, considering there is so much green.

Well, that's all I have to miss. I really am so happy where I am and I love that it's so warm and sunny and summery, because come November/December, I hate winter way too much. I also get to go home right in the heart of fall, which will give me a good fix. Let me know what you guys like and dislike about fall!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Beauty Firsts

I thought that this would be a fun little thing to answer when I saw it on Youtube. Let me know if you guys answer this!

My Beauty Firsts Tag Questions:

1. What's your earliest beauty memory? 
My mom doing makeup for me when I was dancing in the dance recitals. The bright red lipstick would always be last, and I looked absolutely horrific in stage makeup. I just remember having orange eyebrows from this awful eyebrow pencil, but at the same time I never had to wear fake lashes because mine were always insanely long. It's funny to look at pictures of me looking so much older and only being 6 or 7 because of how much makeup I wore. 
2. What was your first beauty purchase? 
Definitely lip smacker chap stick. Plum was my absolute favorite. Real beauty/makeup-wise, the classic Maybelline mascara was probably my first I remember buying with my mom.
3. When did you first wear makeup?
7th grade, when I was 13. Oh it was really bad. I went through a black eyeliner around the entire eye phase.
4. What was your first beauty disaster? 
See above. Not to mention it didn't get better until about sophomore year in high school.
5. Who was your first beauty crush?
Me mummy. I always think she does her eyeshadow so beautifully and tasteful, and when I was first getting into makeup I'd steal her Bobbi Brown palette and try to recreate it. 
6. What was your first brand crush?
Covergirl, when I got to try all the different mascaras.  
7. What's your longest standing beauty love?
My Tarte 24 hour amazonian clay eyeliner in golden tigers eye. So far, I'm on my third stick!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Coral Gables Spotlight: Books & Books



If you are ever in Miami, I highly recommend coming down to Coral Gables for a day. It's no more than a half hour drive, and it has some really awesome things to see. My inner book junkie came out today when my friend showed me this absolutely adorable bookstore, Books & Books. Not only was it a huge bookstore, where one part even goes up to 2 stories with a gigantic classic library ladder, it includes an outdoor courtyard and a small cafe. I couldn't try the food, but I seriously want to. They also have live music every week and a whole host of other things that sound really fun. And of course tons, and tons, and tons of books, with a lot of signed stuff and first editions for the collector! Also, next to the bookstore is a really good chocolatier and tea shop. What else could you want?

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Mid-Month Makeup Favorites


I haven't done a makeup favorites in forever, and I found so much good stuff that I couldn't wait for the month to end. So I'm going agains the grain and doing it mid-month. I'll start off from the top: 
The Benefit Creaseless Shadows are cream shadows that are soo pigmented and pretty. They are all shimmery and a beautiful range of colors. Here I have sparkling champagne, which is a color just as it sounds, and holy smokes, which is a deep grey. They stay on so long and blend beautifully. I find that using a natural hair brush, or even just your good 'ol fingers is the best way to apply them. 
This beauty product is sweeping the nation, and my love for it is no different. The Urban Decay Naked Weightless Concealer is another really good concealer. The tube and applicator is much like that of a lip gloss, and so it applies pretty thickly, but that's why it's full coverage. I wear the medium-light neutral, and it's a perfect match. It stays on, is a nice texture, and my overall everyday concealer. 
The Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil is another product that was really popular not too long ago. The pencil shape itself is a kinda long triangular shape, with a tiny point at the top going down to a little thicker on the bottom. I find it works great with my brows, because unlike the Anastasia pencil which was hard to really fill in my brows, this pencil does the job really well. I have extremely light eyebrows, so in the shade Soft Brunette, it really does a good job at adding just the right amount of color so they look natural, but it also looks like I have brows. Plus, since it's not a powder, it's not quite as messy or hard to apply.
For those who can't get the hang of the classic cat-eye flick (me), this is your pen. The Sephora Fine Waterproof Liquid Liner is amazing. The pen is extremely thin, and also a little stiffer so it's really easy to control versus other felt tip liners. I can proudly say that with this pen, I've mastered the cat-eye. Other than its easy use, it's a nice dark black and waterproof, so it stays on all day. I am unbelievably glad I found this, because I am a huge fan of the flick. 
And lastly, Tarte's Full Coverage Airbrush Powder Foundation is a great, and easy way to apply a nice layer of foundation. I may have mentioned it earlier, but I'm mentioning it again because it is really that good. I wear the shade light-medium neutral, and use the kabuki brush that Tarte specifically made for the foundation. What comes out is a beautiful light layer of a pigmented foundation, but it doesn't look like you have a pound of powder on your face. It covers even sunburn, but still feels breathable. The little brush fits perfectly in there, and it's so quick and easy to apply. The only thing I wish this had was some sunscreen, but hey it's still really awesome. 

Got any mid-month favorites? Let me know! Have a great week!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Advice for Handling Failure and Letdowns

Okay I just first off want to say that I really don't like the word failure. It has such a negative connotation, and maybe not achieving something that you had wanted or hoped for is far from a failure. I mean, not to be that person who writes inspiring quotes but at the same time I'm going to be that person who writes inspiring quotes (if that makes sense?).

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Thomas A. Edison
(That guy that invented the lightbulb and a bunch of other stuff we don't even know about but use a ton)

I think he nails it in the head. Failure is not a negative thing, but a thing to learn from, and even rise up in the future. I don't believe there is a way to be successful without making mistakes, and without having a lot of people tell you you're wrong. It's part of life, and sometimes it really sucks, but by putting a positive spin on it, it'll make you that much more accepting of failure. I recently didn't get a position in my schools club, and even though that made me feel really upset, I applied for the position because I wanted a greater part in the club. Now, I just need to have a strong voice, and enjoy my time there and I don't have to worry about making certain fulfillments and putting more pressure on myself. See? Positive spin. 
I struggle with let down's everyday in my life. It doesn't even have to be jobs, or school, but also friends and people and even a coffee machine that won't let you brew your coffee. (It failed giving you your caffeine!). The best thing to say to yourself is "It's okay" and if you need to put a swear word in there, by all means go for it. And now for another inspirational quote because I actually do love inspirational quotes (thanks pinterest). 


Tuesday, September 8, 2015

College Life Week 3

Hi everyone! So this is kinda my mini college update which I don't know if you even want to read but hey, you never know and I enjoy writing them. 

My classes are challenging, but I knew the would be so at least there wasn't a surprise factor. Chemistry is especially tough for me, but like I said I'm getting through it. On a more fun note, I'm getting scuba certified, and will hopefully become fully open water certified by the end of this week! I have yet to go to a frat party, but I'm okay with that because I am just swamped with work. I miss my dog now more than ever but I'm lucky that campus has a lot of dogs that are totally open for a good pet. Other than that, the weather has been great if you like it hot and with lots of storms, which I do. It storms nearly every day in Florida, which is great if you aren't running to class though it. I think one of my favorite parts is sitting under a palm tree looking out into the lake.

If you're also curious, here is a little peek at my dorm room decor. It basically includes lots of string lights, polaroids, and little motivational sayings. I think I might go more into detail, but that'll be for later. 


I hope your school year is going well so far if that is applicable. Have a great week!

Friday, September 4, 2015

Easy Pink Shadow - Tutorial

Hello everyone. I thought for today, I'd show you how I use pink/magenta shadow on the eye. I was always afraid to do this for the longest time because I thought that it just made  me look like I was crying, but with the right colors it can look absolutely gorgeous. 

I used my Mac warm palette for this. I started with brushing Vanilla Extract (1) all over the lid. This color just has the slightest pink hint, but is more of a shimmery ivory color and is a go-to for everyday. Then, using a large fluffy crease brush I take Gingersnap (2) into the entire crease of the eye, making sure that it blends well. It doesn't have to be the neatest strokes, and in fact I think it makes the look better if it's a little messy. Lastly, I take Dark Brew (3) with an eyeshadow brush that has a more pointed end (such as the hourglass shadow brush) and put that in the outer crease of my eye, stopping just as my iris begins and taking that to the outer corner. I also blend a little under my eye, which just gives it such an elegant twist. 


I love these colors, because they are absolutely pink, but not overbearingly pink. They still have a nice brown/gold tone to them, and are perfect for any kind of skin tone, pink or yellow. I finish off the look with a bit of bronzer (I use the hoola bronzer from Benefit) an a pinky nude lipstick (this one is Mac patisserie). I don't use any blush, because my cheeks are pretty pink to begin with, and otherwise it would just be too much pink. The bronzer still gives a little color without being overwhelming. 



Practice makes perfect, so if you don't get the look you want the first time keep trying. I think my biggest tip is just to blend really really well, and just experiment! That's how I find some of my favorite ideas. Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial! Also, excuse the lighting. Dorm room lighting is not the best!

A Virtual Walk Through Charleston, SC

Hello everyone! So if you read my post from a while ago, you would have noticed that I spent a few days in Charleston. Aside from the temperatures being in the mid 90's, it was absolutely lovely and I want to go back so much. Here's a few of the highlights of the trip, including some cool pictures of the classic houses of Charleston. 



We stayed at the Belmond Charleston Place which is right in the heart of old Charleston. It is absolutely stunning with good classic vibe but still modern and nice. It also has a nice pool, and a wonderful spa that we took full advantage of.


The weather was hot but near the coast, there was a park where there were multiple fountains to dip your feet in cool water. The view is also amazing with tons of benches and a beautiful place just to take a seat and enjoy the outdoors, plus the views of sailboats, forts, and ships in port. 


Walking through the old neighborhoods of colorful houses with beautiful colonial architecture was absolutely a highlight. Cobbled streets and beautiful rose bushes just added to the feeling of being back in time. 


And finally, the shopping from modern stores to the antique district, where little treasures await, to finding restaurants off the beaten path was a huge goal of ours. Our favorite restaurant was probably Sermet's Downtown, which offered classic southern/Mediterranean food, and also Bocci's Italian Restaurant which offered homemade classics.