Date Night Inspired Fashion Looks

Happy Hump Day Everyone! Today I have three fashion looks for you all inspired by the concept of 'date night'. Depending on where you're going or what you're doing, the formality of the outfit can be subjective, which is why two of the below looks are a little dressier, and one is more on the casual side. If I am going out to a nicer restaurant, I like to dress up a little more than say a date to the movies, where I would definitely be more casual. No matter what, it's always nice to put in a little effort when I'm out with my guy. Believe me, he's seen me at my worst - so I like to remind him of my best! All of the links for everything are also listed below :)

Handbag / Top / Earrings / Skort / Sandals / Lipstick (Show Orchid)

Earrings / Top / Necklace / Sandals / Shorts / Lipstick (Pink Pout)

Earrings / Top / Shorts / Shoes / Handbag / Lipstick (Jungle Red)

Which one is your favorite?

xox,

                 Meredith

July Beauty Favorites

If you've been following my blog since the beginning, you've probably noticed that at the end of every month there is a beauty favorites post. What qualifies a product to be considered a monthly favorite to me? It doesn't necessarily have to be a brand new product or something that I've never used before. Although, there may be a few newbies here and there, the products that make it into this post are the ones I find myself using most often during that particular month and would also recommend to others. The below six items definitely fall under that category and have been a part of my everyday beauty routine.

Links!

1. I've had my Neutrogena Visibly Even BB Cream - Light to Medium for a few weeks now and have been using it everyday. I love the finish it gives to my skin and that it contains an SPF of 30. I will definitely continue to use this throughout the rest of the summer.

2. Although I've had my Benefit Fake-up Concealer - Light for months now, it has been so easy to use during my summer makeup routine. I apply it in a small triangle shape under my eyes and quickly blend it out with a brush. 

3. I've also had my Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay for a while now, but have been using it all throughout July on the days when I've been putting eye makeup on. I've mixing the lighter shades for a bright lid color, and then adding some dimension in my crease with the shade Naked 2.

4. My most used brush of the month has been the Real Techniques Blush Brush. I have been mainly using this with my Milani Glow bronzer, which I like to apply pretty generously. When I'm on the go and don't have a lot of time to do my makeup, this has been the only brush I've been using.

5. When I first received my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brown Wiz in the shade Soft Brown I was not really a fan. I've been so used to filling in my eyebrows with powder or a pomade so switching to a pencil was a little different. However, after trying it a few more times it quickly became one of my favorites. I just applied with a little lighter pressure and then used the spooly side to blend it out. I've been loving it because it allows me to fill in my brows real fast without looking sloppy. 

6. The Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in the shade Nude #2 has become one of my favorite nude lip products. It's a little expensive for a lip product, but the packaging is beautiful and the actual lip color has been the perfect beige nude for me.

xox,

                Meredith

Friday Five: So Clutch

Happy Friday! Today's post will be featuring lots and lots of clutches. Although the clutch handbag serves its purpose year round (I like to pick out something universal for this reason), clutches are great to use during the summer when you're always on the go. I find it unnecessary to take my large satchel or tote everywhere I go during the summer season, especially at night. They are also a fun accessory to use because they come in so many different variations. For a more classic look, choose an envelope style clutch. For a more modern look, try out the fold-over style. So that you can use your clutch year round (especially if it is a bit of a splurge), I'd say go with neutral tones like nude or tan. When it doubt, classic black will never fail you. Look below for all clutches and links!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

xox,

                Meredith

Birthday Gifts for Her/ Mid-Summer Gift Guide

Hi Everyone! I apologize for my first post of the week being on a Thursday. I am currently on a family vacation in Wildwood Crest and left my computer off for a few days - but I am back today with a mid-summer gift guide! My birthday happens to be coming up (August 15) and also my 5 year anniversary with my boyfriend (August 5) and he's always a little lost with what to get me. For our anniversary, we typically just get each other tickets to a concert or comedy show and call it even. However, he still likes to get me a little something for my birthday. The below items featured in this gift guide do not only have to be for a birthday or from a boyfriend. In my opinion, I think they are great gifts for a girl for any occasion. So ladies, if you need to get your friend a gift in the near future - these could work for you too!

Of course these are all based on my personal taste, style, and interests, so feel free to leave feedback in the comments below! :)

xox,
                 Meredith

Friday Five: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Happy Friday and Merry Christmas in July Everyone! Yup, Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale has finally given me a reason to celebrate this whole "Christmas in July" business. It's literally Nordstrom's best sale of the year with limited quantities (that are going fast!), so definitely check it out before August 4th when the prices are set to go back up. This is your chance to get those few designer items that you've wanted for a while now, but just couldn't justify spending the full amount on. I also love this sale because they even include some cosmetic items for a really great deal. Seriously, when are MAC and Nars cosmetics ever on sale? (Here!) Below you will see the five items from this sale that really stood out to me, as well as a little slideshow of some additional items that I had to include in this post because I struggled picking only five. Be sure to check it all out and the rest of the sale found here! (all item links are included below).

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Have a great weekend & happy shopping!

xox,

                Meredith

Recent Drugstore Purchases

The drugstore is one of my favorite places to shop and aimlessly wander through. Anytime someone needs to make a trip there I am always willing to come along; however, I am not the best wing-lady. I always head straight towards the cosmetic isles to see what's new and what I can add to my forever growing beauty collection. On my most recent trip, I was in need of some toothpaste (Crest 3D White is my favorite), but I also picked up some other goodies, which are listed below. Some of these products I had been wanting to try out and have heard great things about, such as the Neutrogena BB Cream and Essie nail polish in the shade Urban Jungle. The others were just items I randomly picked out due to my running out of similar products. I have already tried out both Hawaiian Tropic products, and I must say, I've been loving the face sunscreen for the beach. I really like how the formula feels when I apply it to my face and it also smells great too! I'm eager to try out the Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Pen, since I ran out of my old one by Maybelline and have been using gel liner in the meantime. You should be able to find these products at mostly any kind of drugstore, but I've provided all links below :)

1. Neutrogena Visibly Even BB Cream - Light to Medium

2. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Face Oil Free Lotion Sunscreen - SPF 30

3. Hawaiian Tropic Lip Balm Stick Sunscreen - SPF 45

4. Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner - Blackest Black

5. Essie Nail Polish - Urban Jungle

6. Not Your Mother's Whip It Up Cream Styling Mousse

xox,

                 Meredith

Favorite Summer Nail Shades: Essie

Since my last post was all about statement rings, which can bring much attention to your fingers, and therefore also attention to your nails, I figured it'd be a great idea to share some of my favorite summer nail polishes. In the summer season, I tend to be more drawn towards bright pinks, reds, and oranges. I've always associated these particular shades with summer and just love having a few of those go-to seasonal nail colors. The specific polishes I've selected for below are all colors that I brought with me on vacation, with the exception of essie's new 'haute in the heat' which I plan to purchase on my next drugstore trip!

meet me at sunset / cute as a button / ole caliente / haute in the heat





I also wanted to include my favorite top coat - I've never used a top coat that gave my nails a better finish than this Salon Manicure Top Coat by Sally Hansen. So shiny and definitely worth a try!

Get it here!

Here are some polishes in action:

'meet me at sunset'

'cute as a button'

'ole caliente'

Have any favorite summer shades?

xox,

                Meredith

Summer Statement Rings: White, Gold, & Turquoise

Since you're just starting your week, I thought I'd distract you a little longer with a ton of pretty little rings to look at! Only, they're not really that little because they are all in the statement ring category with the intention of drawing some attention to your fingers (nail polish post next?). The great thing about statement rings is that they can totally add a little pop of color or style, yet are subtle enough because they aren't as in your face as say a statement necklace. Since my style is more simplistic in the summer, I still need that little something to fill the void of all of my (temporarily) left behind fashion jewelry.  I pop one of these little babes on my middle or pointer finger and I'm good to go.

 I have been loving the look of my white and gold druzy stone ring that I found on Etsy and have included some similar styles below. I am also looking to get one of the turquoise rings from below - I think the color is absolutely gorgeous for summer! Oh, and they're all either $50 or under - yay :)

All links right below!

One of my favorite statement rings to wear:

xox,

               Meredith