High Five For Friday

Hey there!

I hope you’ve had a great week! I know I’m kinda sad to see this week end. It means snow (this weekend it’s supposed to not be so spring-ish), being back at school (can it be summer already? Nevermind, can I graduate already? I’m so done.), and getting back to the same chaotic routine that I call my life. I’m not exactly in the best mood, if you can’t tell haha. It's one of those times of year that I'm dreading the grind of school, I'm hating how busy my life is, and disliking the distance between my boyfriend and I. But anyway, this week has been amazing. Here are some highlights.

March Lusts

Hi again!

I thought once again I’d share some things that I’m lusting over this month. For me, I always find it really fun to have things that I’m excited about or striving to get, even if I never get them (ugh NARS Deepthroat blush haha). So here is a bunch of things that I’ve been eyeing this month!

1. Old Navy Scarf, 2. Lilac Blossom Candle, 3. WildPeach Poppies Shower Gel, 4. Go Wild Wallet, 5. Macadamia Hair Masque, 6. NARSDeepthroat, 7. Old Navy Eyelet Dress

1.      Old Navy Bird Scarf

On a recent trip to Old Navy, this scarf instantly caught my attention. The floral and the birds in the print are so cute and perfect for spring. I can’t decide though between the neutral gray one or this beautiful, striking blue version. Ugh, the choices!

2.     Bath and Body Works Lilac Blossom Candle

One of my all-time favorite scents, I’m definitely looking forward to getting the candle version of this. Nothing screams spring more to me, than lilacs (seriously, when I have a house, my backyard will have these bushes all over them!

3.     Bath and Body Works Wild Peach Poppies Shower Gel

There is something about poppies that instantly makes me happy. I just love those flowers, so it makes sense this shower gel caught my eye. This scent is like the perfect combination of fruity and flowery, so hopefully soon I can get my hands on this!

4.    Vera Bradley Turn Lock Wallet in “Go Wild”

My best friend in the entire world gave me a $10 gift card for Valentine’s Day for Vera, and when I saw this wallet the other day, I was very tempted to get it. I don’t own anything in Go Wild yet, but I love how this print is neutral, but super fun with the subtle leopard spots. So cute!

5.     Macadamia Deep Repair Masque

This was featured in last month’s lusts, and I’m still lusting away. What’s keeping me from buying this is definitely the price tag. It’s a little steep. But like I’ve said before, I’m in the process of trying to grow my hair out, so maybe that will help me finally just buy it. I’ve never smelled this product, but I just imagine it smelling amazing. If you have tried it, let me know if you’d recommend it!!

6.    NARS Deepthroat Blush

This blush is a given on my monthly lust posts. I’ve been lusting over this since last summer, and I’ve still yet to buy it.

7.    Old Navy Eyelet Dress

Old Navy’s spring stuff is just so cute! This dress caught my eye both online and in store. It’s super cute! I tried it on and everything, but couldn’t decide whether I wanted to make it mine or not. I love sundresses, and this is perfect for spring.

It's Me...With Bangs

 

Hi there!

Recently, I had been mulling over the idea of cutting my bangs (mostly thanks to Pinterest and my growing frustration with my chin-length bangs getting in the way). So I decided to take the plunge. At first I wasn’t so sure. But they are definitely growing on me.

Are you the type of person that hates making changes with your hair? Or can easily chop it off and grow it out without batting an eye? I'd say that I'm not too emotionally attached to my hair. Last summer I cut off easily four or five inches without shedding a tear. However, now I'm kinda wishing that I hadn't cut it haha.

L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara Review

Hey guys!

With all the new mascaras coming out in the drugstore, it seems like I’m in a constant state of trying things out, without a definite favorite. About a month ago, I picked up the L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions mascara because I saw some reviews of it on Youtube that made it look like pretty much like the best mascara ever. Knowing that in the past I have liked the L’Oreal mascara I had tried, I wanted to take a look at this.

The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the brush. I knew from watching videos, that it was going to be a tiny, skinny brush. But what surprised me, which pictures on places like Makeupalley don’t really show, is that the bristles are so far apart. Basically over half of the brush is made up blank space, which I instantly was turned off about. Plus, when I put into the mascara, it wouldn’t fully coat the brush in those blank spaces, which kind of irritated me as well. But I went ahead and tested it.

The first few times I used, I was so disappointed! What I got was nothing like what I saw on Youtube (huge long lashes and tons of volume). I got short, very darkly coated, clumpy lashes. Not so pretty. I was disappointed that it seemed to flake as well throughout the day. Deciding to go back to the Rocket or my Cat Eyes mascara, I ignored it for a few weeks before trying it again.

Oddly enough, I used it and got really long, pretty lashes! This doesn’t make sense! Why is it so inconsistent? I’d still say that it was on the clumpy side (seriously, you can get spider lashes fast with this formula, so be careful!). When it worked, it was really pretty. But when it doesn’t, it’s a huge miss.

Overall, would I buy this mascara again? Yeah, I probably would. I've noticed that the key to this mascara is to have your lashes really well curled before putting it on. If they aren't you will definitely struggle. But I love the long, dramatic look. I think the staying power is as decent as other non-waterproof versions for sale. And overall, there are definitely more difficult mascaras to use out there.

Here’s the breakdown:

 

Spring Haul!

Hi everyone!

A few days ago I went shopping and picked up some fun spring things that I would like to share with you! I don’t know about you, but I love shopping when the weather is nice. It just has such a happy feeling to it!

The first thing I picked up at my college's bookstore. I'd been eyeing these guys since they came out awhile back, but I couldn't justify spending the $11 on highlighters. However, this week I dediced I needed some nice spring highlighters, so I went for it. I absolutly love the ones in Go Wild, Jazzy Blooms, and Midnight Blues!

Later, I went to Victoria's Secret, which is always a huge downfall for me. I love that place so much. Recently, I heard some beauty guru talking about Vanilla Lace, which is a scent that I used to wear like back in early high school. Deciding that I wanted to try out something new, I bought the shower gel in it. What I didn't realize until I bought it, is that is smells so much like Vanilla Bean Noel from Bath and Body Works! Maybe that's why I liked it? But as I've mentioned before, I'm loving sweet smells,. and this is totally perfect! Plus, is it just me, or does Victoria's Secret shower gels leave a stronger scent behind that BBW?

 

Also at Victoria's Secret, I decided to buy a couple more of my favorite things in the entire world: their V-neck t-shirts. I love love love these guys. Not only are they super soft and comfy, but they always come in great colors (brights, neons, pale blushes, and essential colors like black). I can't say enough great things about them. I love layering them under a cardi and with a scarf, for a simple cute outfit. I'd been wanting a black one really bad, so I picked up that and since they are 2 for $30 (hopefully it bothers other people that two months ago these were 2 for $28 like it does me), I also got a pretty mint green one. Both are perfect for spring! 

 

And since Bath and Body Works was next door, I couldn't stop myself. The first thing I saw when I walked in was this adorable plug in for Wallflowers. Seriously, how cute is this guy? Now I know it's probably meant to be daisies, but I told myself they are daffodils (which are my favorite flower), so that meant I had to get it for my room at school to ring in spring. Seriously, see that bow? And the yellow? So cute.

 

Also while I was there, I was totally sucked into the 2 for $22 candle sale. My logic was that at home for spring break I'd want some nice fresh, spring smells for my room. So I picked up First Bloom, which has the cutest packaging ever, I might add. It's description says, "This fragrant blend of peony, apple blossom, and plumeria captures the essence of the very first blooms of the season." It is one of the true spring smells for me (next to lilac, which is my all time favorite. I'd say the description is pretty much what it smells like: very flowery, kinda perfume-y, and I can must definitely smell the apple in there. I'm a sucker also for floral scents, especially roses, which this is kinda like.

The second candle I got was of course, Frosted Cupcake. I've been obsessed with cupcakes, and I thought I should invest in a candle to make my room smell like one. The description says, "A true food-lover's deligh-fresh vanilla been, sugar, cake batter, and rich buttercream frosting mix it up and create an irresistable scent." It smells truly like the best bakery ever. I love it!

 

What's funny, is the reason I actually went shopping in the first place was this dress. See, a couple weeks ago when I was in Dallas for my sorority's District Day, I tried this on at a Macy's for fun. I loved the color, the lace, and how it fit, but I wasn't completely sold. Fast forward two weeks, and I wanted it bad (mostly because I had pointed it out to my boyfriend who said it would look beautiful on me, and then I decided I needed it). So thankfully the Macy's closest to me had it still in my size, so I did it. It's the perfect spring dress. I just picture it looking lovely with wavy curls in my hair and my riding boots (or maybe my gold flip flops depdending on the weather and whether my toes are painted it or haha). I have an obsession with lace dresses. If it weren't already obvious.

 

Then the next day when I was hanging out with my boyfriend, we stopped at another Macy's. This one has a MAC counter in it, so of course I had to pay it a visit (seeing as how the nearest MAC counter to my college is 30 minutes away). So I picked up my absolutely favorite: Techna Kohl liner in Graphblack. And after using it, I remembered why I love it so much! It's so rich and creamy. It doesn't take any pressure to create a dark line. And it stays! It doesn't change to being a gray color like the Physican's Forumla liner I'd been using for about the last five months. It's simply amazing!

By the way, how amazing is my boyfriend? He knew I wanted to visit the MAC counter so bad, and even though he despises makeup (especially MAC because he thinks it's too expensive), he led me to Macy's, and patiently waited as I swatched eyeshadows and blushes. He didn't even complain a bit! Seriously, I'm so lucky to have him. Plus, he surprised me with breakfast the next morning! Boyfriend of the year without a doubt.

What spring things are you tempted to buy? Do you notice yourself shopping more when the weather is nice?

 

 

High Five For Friday

Hey guys!

I hope that you all had a great week! Today my spring break starts and it also marks the warmest day of the year so far (70s!). So there is a lot to be excited about! Here are my top five highlights from the past week! Let me know what your favorite moments have been!

Caitie <3

I Heart Drugstore Makeup

Hi guys!

So this makeup tag went around Youtube last fall, but I decided it might be kind of fun to do it here on my blog. Recently it seems like I’ve found a lot of great finds at the drugstore, and I think it’s always fun to see what other people love from there, since there’s often a lot of hits and a lot of misses. Here are my answers to the questions!

1.    What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand?

This is kind of a hard question for me because I think I love all drugstore makeup brands pretty equally. I’ve had good things and bad things from them all. A lot of the others that have done this have said Revlon. I think this probably would have to be Maybelline for me, with ELF and actually Covergirl as runners up.

2.    What are your favorite face, cheek, and lip products?

My favorite face product from the drugstore is probably ELF’s Mineral Infused face primer or Revlon’s BB cream. Both have really impressed me and are super similar to high-end versions that I’ve enjoyed. Because I dislike lipsticks and I really don’t wear lip gloss all that much, my favorite drugstore lip product would have to be Maybelline’s Baby Lips.

3.    Least favorite product?

The Falsies

Without a doubt it would have to be Maybelline’s the Falsies mascara. I don’t know if it was me, or the fact that I didn’t try to the flared version (which is supposed to be better), but I was so disappointed in this mascara. It was super wet, super clumpy, and was impossible to remove. Another least favorite was probably Garnier’s BB cream was also so disappointing! It’s definitely not meant for people with oily skin.

4.   What is the best makeup bargain?

Walking on Eggshells

There are several that I can’t choose from. It’s so hard. First, I’d have to say that I love Wet n Wild’s eyeshadow in Walking on Eggshells. Considering this is a dupe for Sin, Naked, Buck, and Virgin in the Naked palette (this is the answer to number 7!), this definitely makes it a great bargain. Plus the quality is just fantastic. Another that is a great bargain is the ELF Mineral Infused face primer, which goes for $6 and is just as good as the $17 Sephora kind I used previously. Both I use constantly and love.

5.   What is your favorite underdog product?

Shimmering Sands

My favorite overlooked product would have to be Covergirl’s Shimmering Sands eyeshadow trio. I know this is an online favorite, but compared to ones like Wet n Wild’s, it doesn’t get near enough attention. This is my absolute favorite eyeshadow from the drugstore, and I think it deserves a lot more credit than it gets.

6.    A drugstore product that is overpriced?

I don’t own any drugstore foundations, but I’m always shocked by how much they cost! Revlon Coverstay and the Nearly Naked kind are like $12! To me, drugstore makeup should be $10 and under. Plus, if I’m going to spend that much on a foundation, I want to make sure it matches me perfectly and that it reacts to my skin well. For $30, I can try it out beforehand, get color-matched by a professional, and return it, even if I used it, at Sephora. So that’s probably why I wouldn’t be tempted to spend that much on something like Revlon’s Nearly Naked.

7.    Best drugstore dupes?

Like I said earlier, I think Walking on Eggshells is the exact dupe for my favorite shadows from the Naked palette. I’m always super impressed by how similar they are.

8.    Drugstore product that isn’t worth the hype?

Walking on Eggshells

Without a doubt, it would have to be Covergirl’s Lash Blast Volume and Fusion. I hate these mascaras with a passion. I hate the brush because the bristles are way too small to separate lashes. I don’t like how wet the formula is. I just think they are awful mascaras and that there are much better ones out there.

 

What are your favorite drugstore products? Favorite brand?

Decorating Your Dorm Year to Year

Hi guys!

So earlier this week you saw some of my early brainstorming for my senior year apartment I’ll be living in next fall. I’m super excited for it, to say the least. Anyway, it got me to thinking about some advice I have for college students that are preparing for their living situations next year. After having gone through like three multiple times before, these are things that I have done or wished I had done before moving into my new space from the old year.

1.      Have a Plan

It’s so important to know where you are living for the next year. Sign up for your new dorm, house, or apartment early so you can start to plan what kind of things you’ll need, and what you want to decorate. If possible, find a floor plan of your space (many colleges and apartments offer floor plans of their rooms online, so be on the lookout). This will help you prepare for about how big your space will be, where windows, doors, and closets are located, and any other notable things to plan for.

2.     Decide the Theme

If you are matching your room décor to your roommate’s, figure out a theme (nautical, Victoria’s Secret, flowers, etc). If you are just planning your own space, decide on the colors and feel you want it to be. Find something that inspires you and then design around it (usually for college spaces, I’d recommend centering it around your bedding, since that’s the biggest element in a small room). For instance, I have my heart set on the Urban Outfitters chevron duvet in black and white, so I know that I’ll have a black, white, and pops of red theme.

3.     Make of a List of Things to Buy

Once you know what your space will look like and what theme you want your space to have, make a list of things to buy. My advice to poor college students is to try to pick a theme that allows you to use most of the stuff you already have. It would break my bank to decide I don’t want to use any of my red stuff anymore, so I know I should stick to my same colors I’ve used the past three years. If you know you’ll need new bedding, pots and pans, plates, and other kitchen items, break it down into several months of buying things. Don’t save it all for August right before school because that can kill your budget. For example, I’m planning on buying a duvet and an insert here in the spring, and then buying the rest of my apartment items throughout the summer. If you are moving from a dorm to an apartment or house, make sure you discuss with your roommates who is purchasing staples like pots, pans, kitchen utensils, bathroom shower curtains, TVs, coffee makers, and big things like that.

4.    Pack Efficiently

I know this is harping on this subject early, but remember at the end of this semester when you pack up your stuff you currently use, try to pack intelligently. Pack your kitchen/eating items together (don’t forget to label!!), bathroom things together, bedding together, and so on. Pack the things you will want to use over the summer together too, so you don’t have to go through each box looking for things like your iPhone charger. It makes next fall when you go back to school so much easier!

5.     Watch Sales!

If the bedding you’ve been eyeing goes on sale in April, jump on it. Don’t always wait until school starts because that’s when things get picked over. However, if you don’t absolutely love it, know that new things will come out over the summer just for kids that are going to college.

Do you have any advice for preparing for next year? What’s the biggest decorating changes between living in a dorm versus an apartment or house?

My Top 5 Favorite Mascaras

Hey everyone!

I don’t know about you, but the most purchased makeup items for me are always without a doubt, mascara. I think that’s the case for a lot of people. Why? Because even when you find one you like, you are always hoping that there’s another out there that is better. At least, that’s my excuse.

What makes mascara hard is that for some odd reason, each kind reacts totally different to each person. There is no universally perfect mascara unfortunately. There are good ones, really bad ones, and just okay ones. But not one single one that has everything.

Because I’ve been trying mascaras out like crazy recently, I thought I’d highlight my top five favorites…ever. That’s pretty lofty, and sometimes it’s hard to choose, but these have always been mascaras that work for me.

1.    Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara

Colossal CatEyes

What’s funny about this mascara, is that online the reviews of it aren’t that great. I was actually super hesitant to buy it originally because people hated it so much. But I’m so glad that the packaging (it’s so cute!) pulled me in! What I especially love about this mascara is the wand. It has the thick, bristles (not the plastic type), that defines my eyelashes so well. I love the curved wand, as it makes the outer corner of my eyes so dramatic (the packaging promises full and spiked outer lashes). The formula is great. I’ve repurchased this and probably will in the future too.

2.    Covergirl Clump Crusher

Clump Crusher

This is another curved wand mascara that I love. I like how this makes my lashes long and defined. This has a plastic wand, but something about it makes it super easy to just brush out your lashes. The formula is definitely on the dry end, which is both good and bad. I don’t like wet mascaras at all, and this is definitely the opposite of it. I’ve also repurchased this mascara as well, and will do so in the future.

3.    Maybelline The Rocket



The Rocket

This is another recent favorite of mine. As my blog has highlighted, this mascara and I have gone through ups and downs. For some time I definitely wasn’t a fan of this mascara, but what made me go back to it is the dramatic, volumized look it gives my lashes. It’s pretty defining and doesn’t take a lot of coats to make my lashes dramatic and black. While I’m not a fan of the gel consistency of the formula or how the brush kind of hurts the base of my lashes, I do love the consistent, dramatic look of it.

4.   L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

 

Volumious Million Lashes

This was my mascara love of the summer. I think this mascara is an all-around solid mascara. While it can get a little clumpy, the formula, brush, and packaging are all great. It’s easy to use, and very flattering on my lashes. They define and add volume. This is one that I’m hoping to try out again soon.

5.   Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes!

Lights, Camera, Lashes!

This is the only high-end mascara on my list (mostly because it’s the only high-end kind I’ve tried). If there were such thing as the perfect mascara, this probably would be it. First, it has good ingredients that are meant to make lashes healthy, it’s cruelty free, and has super cute packaging. It’s great at both adding length and volume to lashes. While this is not the waterproof version, it has fantastic staying power. It’s not the type of mascara you need to comb through your lashes continuously, which is a great bonus and time-saver. The only negative is the price. But I love it.

What are your favorite mascaras?

Senior Year Apartment

Hi guys!

I don’t know about most colleges, but at my school, the time to decide where to live for next year has come and past. It seems like the rush for housing seems to come earlier and earlier.

Anyway, I love planning what my room will look like. As you probably already know from previous posts, I love trying to come up with new fresh looks for my dorm rooms. It’s something like a fresh slate that always gets me super excited!

For next year, my living situation will be much different than years past. Next year I will be living off campus in an apartment with one of my littles! I’m super excited for this change! Seeing as how it will be my last semester at my college campus (I’ll be student teaching next spring, hopefully in my hometown), this will be a great transition into adulthood. The other things about this that I can’t wait for: my own bedroom and bathroom! Guys, this will be the first time in my life that I’ll have both!

So you can imagine my excitement!

Another reason I’m really excited: that means I have lots of planning and decorating to do! While it’s still early on, here are some things I’m hoping to see in my future space! Here are some things that are bringing me inspiration for next year:


Sources: Duvet, Monogram, Home Print, Inspirational Poster, Chalkboard (Urban Orchard Interiors), Dottie Mugs

10 Things About Me

I take a lot of dorky self-portraits…hopefully others do this too…

1.     I love doing laundry.

2.    My favorite thing to do with my boyfriend is cuddle while watching Friends. Or Boy Meets World.

3.    My favorite flowers include daffodils, sunflowers, mums, tulips, dahlias, and poppies. I like flowers a lot.

4.    I’m 4 foot 11.

5.    My go to drink at Starbucks is an iced white mocha.

6.     I’m extremely shy. Especially around new people.

7.    My favorite animal is a prairie dog. What? I think they are adorable!

8.    When I was little, my dream was to become an interior designer. We’re talking about first grade. I’m guessing not too many first graders dream of becoming that.

9.    I didn’t pierce my ears until my freshman year of college.

10. I couldn't be more excited about the fact that my boyfriend and I have now been dating officially a year and a half. As of today. It's been the best 18 months of my life.

High Five for Friday

Hey guys!

Just one more week until spring break! I think I can make it, but we’ll see. Here are the highlights from the past week!

 

1.    Last weekend I made my first ever trip to a Lilly Pulitzer store. This was huge for me. I love Lilly (even though I can hardly afford to buy anything there). And the nearest store is hundreds of miles away. I picked up this scarf to mark the occasion, and I love it!

2.  Falling in love all over again with Essie’s Chinchilly. I can’t get enough of this color.

3.   Getting to spend a day with my boyfriend to celebrate our 18^th month anniversary. Of course at Red Robin.

4.   Wearing outfits you genuinely love. I wore several of those this week, and nothing is a better confidence boost.

5.  Passing a midterm and a lesson plan that I thought I would both fail massively (I got a 100% on the midterm! I was shocked!)

So what were your highlights of the week? Are you looking forward to anything?