Face of the Day: Matte & Smokey

Just a quick Face of the Day post for you today! This look is actually from yesterday - I went to grab dinner with a friend. A wearable smokey eye with a neutral matte lip - yes please :)

See it all in action below:

Links Below!

Face:

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base

MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation

NYX HD Concealer - Light

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium

Cheeks:

Milani Baked Bronzer - Glow

MAC Powder Blush - Prism

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighting Powder

Eyes:

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot - Soft Ochre

Lorac Pro Palette (Crease: Taupe & Sable, Outer Crease: Espresso, Lid: Cream, Liner: Black)

Loreal Telescopic Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara 

Brows (not pictured whoops!):

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz - Soft Brown

Lips:

MAC Lipstick - Velvet Teddy

MAC Lip Pencil - Stripdown

xox,
                 Meredith

August Ipsy: Beauty Schooled

Before August ends, I wanted to be sure to post the ipsy bag that I received this month. If you've never heard of ipsy, it's a monthly subscription service for $10 a month that includes 5 beauty sample products that come in a different glam bag each month. It's also a points program where you can earn points in ways such as reviewing products or referring your friends. Once you've accumulated enough points, you can redeem them to receive some bonus items in your next glam bag. Check it out right here!

In this particular bag, I am most excited to try Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara. I'm also a huge fan of dry shampoo, so I like that this bag had a little one in there that I can take with me on the go. Look below to see what else came in my August bag!

Klorane
Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Urban Decay
Perversion Mascara

Dr. Brandt
Pores No More Pore Refiner

Jersey Shore Sun
Mongongo Lip Conditioner

J. Cat Beauty
Flying Solo Eye Shadow

xox,

                Meredith

Transitional Trend: Peep Toe Ankle Booties

As we get closer and closer to the fall season, we start wondering what style changes we may need to make to be more 'seasonally appropriate'. I love wearing ankle booties in the fall, but I don't feel like I'm quite there yet to break them out of my closet. I also have a hard time giving up wearing my sandals - my favorite nude pair is just so easy to throw on and go. So now what? Well here we have the new transitional trend of the peep toe ankle bootie to bring us from summer to fall. I have been seeing this style everywhere and definitely want to get a pair of my own. All of the booties I chose to include in the slideshow below follow the same kind of style - a black or tan open toe ankle bootie with a chunky heel. I'm really digging the ones that are also open in the back!

What do you think of this trend?

xox,

               Meredith

Quick & Easy Room Decor

Another interest of mine besides beauty and fashion is home decor. I love going into Pier 1 or Homegoods for no particular reason but just to browse and look at "pretty things". Since I do not have a house or entire space of my own yet, I am limited to a room (yay for living home and saving money!), but I still like to fill that room with decorative pieces and accessories. It's the one place that I can make my own with pieces that reflect my personal style and decorative taste. As you can see below I'm a sucker for whites, ivories, and creams. I try to get creative with my storage pieces, like my makeup brush holders and jewelry holders (I currently have a pretty pencil cup and a giant mug). I like to incorporate different textures, which is super easy to do with throw pillows (I own both of those). I also have a big thing for candles - I love the three wick candles from bath & body works, especially when they are on promo for 2 for $20!


P.S. All of the below items are $25 or under!

       Links Below!

Lenox jewelry storage
macys.com

3 wick candle
bathandbodyworks.com

Pier 1 Imports throw pillow
pier1.com

Pier 1 Imports throw pillow
pier1.com

Cream Metal Pencil Holder
kirklands.com

3 wick candle
bathandbodyworks.com

here are some pics from my Instagram :)

xox,

                     Meredith

Drugstore Products Worth Trying

If you've been on this blog before, you've probably already seen some of the below products floating around in several posts. That's because I stick to the products I love and only recommend products that I actually use and enjoy. Below are all prodcuts that can be found at the drugstore that I definitely feel are worth a try. So the next time you're at the drugstore and are thinking "hey, I need a new concealer" maybe you'll think of this post and fall in love with a new product like I have. All of the items are linked below :)

1. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner - One of my favorite eyeliners to use on my top lash line. Allows for an easy cat eye wing.

2. Essie Nail Polish - Essie is by far my favorite nail polish brand. The formula never fails, and the color selection is amazing!

3. Revlon ColorStay Foundation - This is one of my go-to drugstore foundations whenever I'm not trying out anything new. It stays put all day and leaves a matte finish.

4. Loreal Paris Telescopic Mascara - If you've see this blog before, you've most likely have seen this mascara already. I love the tiny bristle because it helps separate my lashes before applying whatever volumizing mascara that I am using next.

5. Milani Glow Baked Bronzer - You've probably also have already seen me mention this bronzer a time or two. I absolutely love it! Leaves the perfect bronzy sheen to my face, especially looks great in the summer.

6. NYX Powder Blush - These are my go-to drugstore blushes. They are pigmented and have a lot of great color dupes to more high-end blushes.

7. Eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - This is my everyday lip balm. It's moisturizing, lasts longer than some other lip balms, and comes in great flavors.

8. NYX Butter Gloss - This is one of my favorite overall drugstore lip products. Its got this buttery formula that isn't sticky on your lips, and also has great color payoff.

9. NYX HD Photo Concealer - I recently started using this again and instantly remembered why I love it so much. It is great for my under-eye area because it doesn't crease, and also gives that brightening effect that I love. Highly recommend!

10. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - I haven't been able to find that many drugstore powders that I actually like, but this one I like! I press it into the areas of my face (after already applying foundation) that I don't want to shine, typically the center of my forehead, and chin.









Any others worth trying? Let me know!



P.S. if you decide to get the Eos lip balm, just keep it away from your cute dog!

xox,
               Meredith

Thinking Transitionally

As we approach mid August we start to notice that the retail world is not only done prepping for fall, but they are pretty much also done releasing their fall collections. Growing up, I've always hated this fact beacuse I still wanted to enjoy the rest of my summer (back to school commercials at the end of July?! let a kid live a little). However, now that I'm almost 25 (eek), I do enjoy fall fashion much much more. Now I'm not starting my fall shopping yet by any means - but I do like to play around with transition pieces to ease my way into the upcoming season. Think open-toed ankle booties, cool neutral eyes, and a classic black handbag. That's a start!

Links Below!

xox,

                  Meredith

Sensationally Sunkissed July Ipsy Glam Bag

Although we are already moving right along in August, I never got around to posting what I received in my July 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag. Whoops - better late than never right? To be honest, the highlight of this month's bag is the actual bag. The color is not done justice in the picture below! Now, the five products I received are probably all items I would not seek out on my own and am unsure if I will even use them; however, I am curious to try out the Bare Minerals 5-in-1 BB eyeshadow. I was able to peek at the August bag that's on its way on Ipsy's site and am pretty excited for that one - it has Urban Decay's new perversion mascara in it! Keep on scrolling to see what I got in my July Ipsy :)

Pur~lisse
pur~protect essential daily moisturizer spf 30

Pixi Beauty
Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm

Clear Clinic Laboratories
Vanished Clear Spot Treatment

Models Own
Nail Polish in Red Sea

bareMinerals
5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15

xox,

                Meredith

Warby Parker Home Try-On 2

Two exciting things today - 1. It's Friday (duh) and 2. Another Warby Parker Home Try-On Session! If you've never heard of Warby Parker, they are an online eyeglasses and sunglasses company that donate a pair of glasses to someone in need every time a pair is purchased. They do have actual store locations; however, none are in my area, so home-try is the next best thing (it's free too!). You can select up to 5 pairs of glasses to try on at home and you have five days to try them out before sending them back.

 A few months back I posted a home try-on with 5 different styles (see it here!), but couldn't commit to any of those styles. So here I am again, and I think I found one (or two) that I really like! Now I will admit, some styles just look straight up goofy on me, but I've been searching for the right style to fit my face shape. I've discovered that that best style for my face is a mix between rectangular and rounded, such as the Upton and the Marshall, which are definitely my favorites out of this try-on session, and maybe even out of all the one's I've ever tried. See them all below!


P.S. I apologize for the not so great camera phone quality pictures and dusty mirror "selfies". Trying to get some different angles here :)






1. Upton - Oak Barrel

 Warby Parker Upton - Oak Barrel

Warby Parker Upton - Oak Barrel

2. Mitchell - Whiskey Tortoise

 Warby Parker Mitchell - Whiskey Tortoise

Warby Parker Mitchell - Whiskey Tortoise

3. Preston - Gimlet Tortoise

Warby Parker Preston - Gimlet Tortoise

Warby Parker Preston - Gimlet Tortoise

4. Marshall - Striped Sassafras

Warby Parker Marshall - Striped Sassafras

Warby Parker Marshall - Striped Sassafras

5. Theo - Blue Marblewood

Warby Parker Theo - Blue Marblewood

Check them out here: Warby Parker

Which one is your fav?

xox,

               Meredith

Make It Personal Part 2

Something I've always wanted, but never seem to get for myself is a personalized necklace. I did order one from Groopdealz a while back (can be seen in my first Make It Personal post here), but the necklace wasn't the size I originally hoped for. I do plan on finally getting another one; however, I still need to pick which one I want! I think I will choose one from the below 8 necklaces - I've always had a thing from the large monogram pendant, but then there's the nameplate trend, or maybe just a simple single letter. Decisions, decisions - what do you think?

Links Below!

1. Argento Vivo Birthstone & Personalized Nameplate Pendant Necklace

2. Danielle Stevens Jewelry - Name Game Hanging Necklace 1Name in Vermeil

3. Initial necklace on Infinity pendant 14k gold plated Initial name necklace

4. Moon and Lola 'Script Font' Personalized Bar Pendant Necklace

5. Jennifer Zeuner blake large swirly 3 initial pendant

6. Lana 14k Gold Initial Letter Necklace

7. SHY by Sydney Evan M Initial Pendant Necklace with Diamond

8. Stell and Dot Signature Engravable Disc Necklace

Here are some other personalized accessories I found and thought were really cute!

Links Below!

1. GiGi New York Personalized Python-Embossed Leather Hardcase For iPhone 5

2. Montane Designs Personalized Mini Mason Jar Birthday Cake Candle

3. kate spade new york One in a Million Initial Business Card Holder

4. Cathys Concepts Personalized Throw Blanket

5. Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug

xox,

                Meredith