Easy Summer Makeup

Summer is always jam packed for me for some reason. These days I'm lucky if I've washed my hair more than twice a week. I just don't have time to put on a full face of makeup. And let's be honest...Georgia humidity won't allow it anyway.  I've really narrowed down the perfect combo for a quick face that looks healthy and glowing. People will compliment this look SO much, just trust me.

You'll need a really good concealer that has staying power. If you're like me, the circles under your eyes are just plain sad. I can honestly say there is no better concealer out there. Dermablend's Concealer covers EVERYTHING and stays on until you wash it off. Worth every penny!

I've found the trick to quick makeup that still looks like I put time into it is a simple contouring session. We're talking 30 seconds max. I LOVE this contouring duo by ELF. Grab it at target for like $3.  It is just the right amount of brown that make cheekbones pop (and minimize double chins if you were blessed with one like me).

AND the most impressive piece I have to tell you about is this blush/highlighter from Wet n Wild. I would be lying if I didnt tell you that I got it mostly because it says Fergie on the package. Well, Fergie is a wise woman if she had anything to do with this gem. It will give you the best summer time glow ... EVER. I layer this on after I've contoured with the dark color. This makes a great highlighter and blush and if you're really in a pinch like I always am, use it as an eyeshadow...swear to you...its a lifechanger!

Lazy Mornings

Coffee Dripper * Pajama Set * Moisturizer 

I'm a big advocate of long weekends. I'm the type of girl that takes time off work one or two days at a time. I love being able to wake up leisurely on a Friday and stay in my PJ's watching crappy morning TV and sipping on coffee. I don't think that it gets much better than that.

Tomorrow, I have the day off and I fully intend to spend my time in complete R&R mode. You can bank on the fact that I'll stay in pajamas till noon with the Air Conditioner blasting. I just bought some coffee from the most amazing coffee shop in Atlanta (Birmingham girls, they have a location in the Westin). I can confidently say that this is the best iced coffee I've ever had in my life.  They use the drip coffee method, which according to Wikipedia (the most reliable source-duh), " is a method which involves pouring water over roasted, ground coffee beans contained in a filter, creating the beverage called coffee. Water seeps through the ground coffee, absorbing its oils and essences, solely under gravity, then passes through the bottom of the filter. The used coffee grounds are retained in the filter with the liquid falling (dripping) into a collecting vessel such as a carafe or pot." In other words, truly delicious. 

In addition to the coffee session, I'll probably have a nice little pamper session including a long hot lavender bubble bath topped with a ton of moisturizer. I LOVE treating my skin to Lancome's High Resolution moisturizer. This comes in a daytime formula as well as a night time formula. I prefer the night moisturizer because it seems to pack a bit more anti aging in there (**Careful though, there isn't any SPF in it so be sure to add that into your routine!). I don't use this as an everyday moisturizer, mostly because of the price tag and I've found that when I do use it, my skin thinks it just had the best facial ever...a true win for everyone.

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!

Two Hair Products Every Girl Needs

If you follow me on instagram, you'll already know that I was feeling daring a few days ago and told my stylist to cut off 7 inches of hair. It was traumatic, to say the least, but I'm so glad I did it.  As with any new hair style, it took a few tries before I could get my new 'do to look the way I want, so there is a lot of trial and error going on.  With that comes a new hunt for styling products. I picked these 2 gems up last weekend and I will swear by them moving forward.

The cult classic Batiste dry shampoo is the best I've tried so far and the $7 price tag is an added bonus. If you haven't tried it yet, prepare to blast your roots with this and you have just bought yourself a day without having to wash your hair. TRUE STORY.

I LOVE how this sea salt spray smells and the texture is perfect. I spray a light mist on this after styling and it gives that perfectly imperfect finish (if that makes any sense). I also plan on testing the natural look with this.

The great thing about these two products is that they will work for any type of hair regardless of length. Try them out and I promise you'll love them!

Scaling Back

SANDALS * CLUTCH * FLATS

I've found myself really scaling back the past few months with what I wear. I've always had a simplistic approach to putting an outfit together, but now I'm finding myself attracted to much more muted items. I still love a punch of color here and there, but there is so much goodness in adding a few staples to the wardrobe that are simple and understated.  

There is NO better place to look for pieces like this and stick to a budget than one of my favorite stops-Gap.  Any given day, you can walk in there and stock up on items that pair well with other basics for when you're feeling like getting rid of the fluff. Because lets be honest, sometimes jeans and a t-shirt is just what the doctor ordered.

Add these to my wishlist

It should be noted that I am on a spending freeze. I know...#theworst. BUT when that freeze lifts, I really hope to jump on these 3 items.  

This purse is a steal at $33 and a nice throwback to the 90's. 

Loving this simple necklace. I would place this in my "wear everyday" pile.

And last but not least, I'm DYING to try this new foundation system. I've been on the hunt for a lightweight foundation that gives good coverage with a nice healthy glow. I've read raving reviews about this so I'll probably take the plunge very soon on this...love to hear if anyone has any thoughts on this product.

3 Things You Need To Know About

Sometimes you find things that you love so much you just HAVE to share. Today's that day, little 'mingos.

Major shout out to my friend, Katie, for opening my eyes to these gems. I've never been a big lipstick person. It always felt so "old lady" to me. Well, maybe I'm a sucker or maybe I'm an old lady, but I'm starting to really love the idea of a good lipstick. They last a lot longer between applications and if the wind blows, my hair doesn't get drenched in sparkly pink.  Anyway, I was told I HAD to try these new Art Sticks that Bobbi Brown makes.  I bought "Dusty Pink" and have worn it daily and received compliments each time.  What's so nice about these is the texture is smooth but lasts for most of the day. AND if you're in a pinch, you can use this is as a cream blush. That's a huge win for me...when I have to figure out a way to look presentable on a Friday afternoon and I have to do this in rush hour Atlanta traffic without my makeup bag.

BUY IT HERE

Now this may be no surprise, but I love a product that takes all the work out of a blowout for me.  I bought this on a whim with my last haircut because I love my stylist and she swore I'll love it. Well, she wasn't lying. This oil puts Moroccan Oil to shame. Seriously, 5 drops and this tames my SUPER frizz ball joke of a 'do.  Talk about a major time saver here!

BUY IT HERE

And last but certainly not least is a book I am SUPER pumped about. Since I'm back on the paleo train, I'm constantly searching for exciting and yummy Paleo friendly recipes. I have several friends that swear by this book. I've cooked several of her recipes and I have to say they are amazing, even if you aren't doing Paleo.  SO GOOD!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, mine is jam packed with a lot of fun things and some of my favorite people.

No More Sloppy Schlumpadego For Me...

ONE*TWO
THREE*FOUR

The dinner had been planned for months. I had ample time to buy an appropriate outfit. And I tried. But failed-miserably. I settled for a dress that I wore years ago and packed it in the suitcase, no problem.

Dinner was a 8pm at a very nice restaurant and there I sat at 6:45 pm on my hotel bed wearing a ponytail and the dress that didn't look as good as it did when I was 25. I sat there and didn't even think twice about spending the time it takes to get ready for this caliber of restaurant. In my mind, I thought "a quick run through with the curling iron and a fresh set of makeup and I'll be fine." 

And then it dawned on me. WHAT am I doing? Have I really gotten to the point in my life that I've hit the "I don't care" phase? And if so, when and how did this happen? 

I get frequent manicures, shop way too much and always do my hair and makeup, so I always thought I had my shiz together. But then I realized that my closet is full of the same thing. There is NO variety. I literally wear the same thing every day. And my hair and makeup? You better believe its the SAME look everyday.

Talk about a nice little slap of reality! So I came home from vacation on a mission: GET IT TOGETHER! 

No more sloppy schlumpadego for me. I made up my mind to spend the next two months focusing on bettering myself. This includes a STRICT 30 day clean eating challenge, a BIG closet cleanout/revamp and the determination to add more dresses to the wardrobe. Not the casual sundresses, no sir. Dresses that are reserved for special occasions. Because I don't ever want to be waiting on a fancy dinner looking sloppy ever again.

Statement Necklaces

ONE * TWO * THREE * FOUR * FIVE * SIX * SEVEN * EIGHT * NINE * TEN

I'm the type of person that stresses out over the silliest things. Gift giving gives me gray hair. I will obsess for days over what to give someone. I will ask multiple people their opinion on what I'm considering giving and then I'll bit the bullet and buy the gift. I always am sick to my stomach as that person is opening their gift. Will they like it? Or will they pretend to like it?  Am I the only one that does this?

So you can imagine where my mind goes when it comes time to pick out an outfit for a special occasion.  So many things to consider like the weather and nature of occasion and the company and if my hair is going to need to be styled that day. It turns into a nightmare and I repeat the same behavior. My friends end up getting sick of me asking silly questions about one outfit and then I settle on something.

Well this Friday evening, I need to look presentable. And by that I mean good. The idea is an all black outfit with one heck of a statement necklace. Simple and perfect in my book.  So clearly, on yet ANOTHER snow day, I decided to start browsing Bauble Bar's selection. And boy did they not disappoint. 

I think that there are 2 categories of statement necklaces. The really sparkly rhinestoney (is that even a word??) necklaces and then there's the bright bold colorful necklaces. Both are big time winners in my book.

I want them all. Which one is your favorite?

I'm Back...And Here To Cure Your Mid Winter Blues

Oh heyyyyyyyyy! You thought I died, huh? I'll cut to the chase. I got bored and unmotivated with blogging. I felt like it was starting to turn into an obligation and in turn, I was pumping out a bunch of junk.

JUNK.

Aint nobody got time for that!

So I took a hiatus. I knew I would be back, just wasn't sure when it would be. And the truth is, I make no promises for how often I'll be on here. BUT I will give you my word that I will post content that I actually like and not post something just to have a daily post.

So without further adieu, I want to share what I'm obsessing over right now.

SCARF*GINGHAM SHIRT*NAIL POLISH*JEANS*JEWELS

Winter blows. And when you live in Atlanta, you start going a bit crazy with the fluctuating temps. To put this in perspective, the city is completely shut down due to snow and ice but in 3 days, we're looking at 60 degrees heading our way.  I can't complain because it sure is nice to be able to wear a few spring items every now and then. BUT when the weather blows and its cold outside for days on end, I find it really helps to wear bright colors.

Last weekend, I loaded up on a few essentials including a few button up shirts for the spring and that lovely scarf you see above. Nautical is EVERYWHERE right now. And I'm completely okay with this!  I love Red and Blue together!

Oh and PS, do yourself a favor and load up on every skincare product made by Jack Black. I bought the hand healer and body lotion at Nordstrom. Don't let it scare you that this is technically a men's skincare line. It is to die for!!!