In Fashion on

January 21, 2018

My Favorite Army Green Jacket

During the colder months, an army green jacket has become a staple in my wardrobe. I love this style of jacket because they’re comfortable and casual, yet they can really tie any look together. I feel like you can throw one on top of any outfit and it would still be cute!

I own several army green jackets (yes, I have a problem lol), but one that I absolutely love is this one by Free People! (similar here) My favorite part about it is the detail on the left sleeve. It has a cool beaded design that is really unique, which I love.

For this outfit, I decided to keep things simple and pair my jacket with a white flowy top I found at Urban Outfitters, my Joe’s jeans (similar here), and a pair of brown boots I’ve had for quite some time now. It’s the perfect outfit for Phoenix ‘winters’ (aka it was 70 degrees the day I wore this, haha).

These pictures were taken in Downtown Phoenix and I had so much fun spending the day with my friends Avi and Reagan! All 3 of us have blogs so we love getting together and taking photos for each other. I’m so thankful to have friends who enjoy taking photos just as much as I do!

I hope you can find some inspiration scrolling through these photos. I’ll see you all in my next post!

lauren

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In Fashion on

December 27, 2017

New Year’s Outfit Idea

When I think of New Year’s, I think of dark colors, rich textures, and a bit of sparkle. So, this year, I decided to combine all of these things into one outfit!

I put this look together with a few things I already had in my closet as well as some new pieces I recently purchased. My top, skirt (similar here), and tights are from Forever 21, and my black suede boots are from Steve Madden.

I love this outfit because it’s a little bit more dressed up for New Year’s, but I know I can wear a lot of these pieces again by mixing and matching them with things I already have in my wardrobe. For example, I could dress the top down by pairing it with jeans or totally change the look by swapping out the top for a chunky sweater or jean jacket.

I hope you find some inspiration by scrolling through the photos below!

lauren

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In Thoughts on

December 26, 2017

My Goals for 2018

I can’t believe 2018 is almost here. It seems like just yesterday we were kicking off 2017!

This past year has been crazy to say the least (lol). There were definitely ups and downs, but through it all I’ve learned so much. I’m ready for a fresh start and can’t wait to see what the upcoming year holds!

While I’ve never been a really big New Year’s resolution person, I do believe in the power of setting goals and self-reflection, because these things encourage us to grow. There are a number of things I want to accomplish in 2018 and I know that without writing them down from the beginning (hence this blog post), I won’t hold myself accountable!

So, in the spirit of goal-setting, here are some of the things I want to accomplish in 2018.

Grow My Blog

One of my big goals for 2017 was to finally start and announce my blog. I had been working on it for awhile but was so scared to share it with the world. I finally posted about it on my Instagram (thanks to the encouragement from my friend Reagan), and now it feels official!

I know one of the biggest challenges I’ll face when it comes to blogging (and I know I’m not alone in this) is being consistent. I’m someone that has a hard time being motivated to write and create content if I’m feeling uninspired, so I need something to keep me accountable. That’s why I was so excited when I found The Content Planner!

I first discovered The Content Planner on Instagram and loved the concept. Essentially, it’s a physical planner designed to help you plan out your blog and social content. It’s easily customizable and has so many cool features for bloggers and content creators. The planner has space to record monthly goals and stats, brainstorm goals, track your wins, and it even has a page in front that lists all of the 2018 holidays and marketing dates (you’ll never miss national donut day again 😉 ). I know I’ll be using The Content Planner throughout the year to keep me on track for my blog.

Establish a Healthy Lifestyle

Isn’t this everyone’s New Year’s Resolution? While this might seem cliche, I really want to be more health-conscious this year. By this, I don’t mean going on an extreme diet or starting a crazy workout schedule. While those things might work temporarily, I find that they can lead to burnout and can lead to an even more unhealthy lifestyle when you let yourself ‘cheat.’

Instead, I want to start making choices that I can actually maintain for a lifetime. I want to eat better, find a workout routine that works for me, and SLEEP MORE (I say this as I’m writing this post at 11:30pm, haha). But really–I’ve always struggled with being a night owl and I know a huge part of having a healthy lifestyle is giving your body the rest it needs.

Travel More

I love traveling, but never feel like I cut out the time to do it. A few months ago my friends and I took a quick trip to LA and it made me realize how beneficial it is to escape the daily grind and go on an adventure! In 2018, I hope to do a lot more traveling–even if it’s just taking a short day trip!

Give Back

Giving back is so important. This year, a goal of mine is to look for ways to serve others. Whether it’s donating to a cause or volunteering my time, I want to invest more in helping others and making a positive impact in the world. If you guys have any suggestions for this, let me know in the comments below!

I have to admit, I’ve never really been much of a reader. This might seem strange coming from someone who loves to write, but I’ve just never had a knack for reading. I think my problem is that I need to get over the thought that if I’m sitting down to read a book, I’m not being unproductive. I’m investing in my education!

A book I’m excited to read this year is You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I feel like everyone has been talking about it and I’m just now getting around to reading it! Again, if you have any suggestions for books to read, let me know in the comments. 🙂

Take a Risk

I’m someone who likes to play it safe–I don’t usually get excited at the thought of taking a risk. However, I know that achieving greatness often requires overcoming the fear of failure and taking risks. I’m not totally sure what this looks like for me yet, but I hope this year, I take a risk and learn something new.

What are your goals for 2018? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

lauren

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In Thoughts on

December 11, 2017

How to Embrace Change: 3 Things to Remember

Hi everyone!

Today’s post is going to be a little bit different. It’s not about fashion or beauty. While I love those things and I feel that they’re a part of who I am, I want to start posting content that’s a little bit more raw and helps you to get to know me.

When I first started my blog, I wanted it to be a source of inspiration, but mostly a place of encouragement. Whether that’s through a beauty tip or a life update, I want my little corner of the internet to be a place that’s positive, uplifting, and resourceful for my readers. While it’s scary to put yourself out there, I think there’s a lot of growth that comes with it.

Today, I want to talk about change. Throughout our lives we’re going to experience changes–big and small. It’s inevitable! Change comes easier for some than others, and I’m definitely someone who can have a hard time with it. I like to know what tomorrow holds and when I feel like I don’t, it can be an unsettling feeling.

In a nutshell, this past year has been filled with changes. I won’t get into too many of the details in this post, but if you know me personally you know that there’s been a big shift in my family dynamic (I think I’ll save that for another post, though). Aside from this, this past year I graduated college, started my first full-time job, and moved out on my own. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions but I’ve learned so much. I feel like this past year I’ve grown in a lot of ways, yet at the same time it’s become apparent to me all of the areas I still need to grow in.

Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and there definitely isn’t a 1-2-3 guide to experiencing change successfully. In no way have I mastered the art of going through change, but here are some things I’ve learned along the way and have been helpful to me:

How to Embrace Change

Be Patient With Yourself

This has probably been the hardest thing for me to learn. When going through a big life change, it’s easy to become impatient with yourself. People always say that time heals wounds, but if you’re anything like me your response is probably, “Well how much time??” (lol)

Rather than focusing on exactly how long it’s going to take you to adjust to the new life change, try to focus on the here and now. This can be really hard, because it pushes you to come to terms with what you’re feeling right at that moment. I think it’s sometimes in our nature to run from negative emotions, but I believe that allowing yourself to feel them is better in the long run. If you don’t ever acknowledge that they’re there, it can be hard to take that next step and grow.

Learn to Go With The Flow

Like I mentioned before, I’m someone who likes to know what’s coming next. However, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that we can’t control everything no matter how hard we try. We can’t always control the circumstances we’re in and we certainly can’t control other people.

Now, I’m not saying that going with the flow means to give up and become passive. I think in many ways we are responsible for certain situations we’re in and it’s important to be ambitious and have goals for the future. My point is that if we try to control every single aspect of our lives, we’ll run out of energy. I think a big part of going through change successfully comes when we let go of the reigns and are open to new experiences!

A few years ago one of my close friends gave me a Giving Key with the word “Breathe” engraved on it. For me, this serves as a simple reminder that it’s alright to take a step back and breathe every once in awhile and go with the flow.

Talk It Out

Change is a weird thing, and when we don’t talk through it, there can be negative consequences. I’m totally guilty of keeping things inside and trying not to acknowledge the difficult stuff, but I’ve learned that it’s hard to properly process the change without having someone you can confide in.

Whether it’s a friend or a family member, try to find someone you trust and can lean on. Just having someone there to listen can allow you to express your emotions in a healthy way and eventually get to a place where you can move forward in a positive direction.

One of my favorite quotes is “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and beautiful at the end.” I really believe that everything happens for a reason and we can rest knowing that. I hope you find these tips helpful and if anything, they help you to feel encouraged. Thank you so much for stopping by and I’ll see you in my next post!

lauren

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In Lifestyle on

December 9, 2017

How to Throw a Bridal Shower

In February, one of my lifelong friends Rachel will be getting married! When she asked me to be her Maid of Honor a few months ago, I was so excited.

Rachel and I have grown up together–she’s truly like a sister to me. We’ve been through our awkward stages together (lol) and have so many fun memories. Most importantly, we’ve been there for each other through the good and the bad. Life is by no means perfect, but it’s so much better when you have friends like Rachel in your life.

As you probably know, part of a MOH’s duties is to throw the bridal shower. For Rachel, I knew it had to be nothing but the best! Pinterest was my best friend during the planning process and I found so many cute ideas that I wanted to recreate. I had so much fun putting everything together, so I wanted to write a blog post with some tips & tricks and photos from the day! If you’re planning a bridal shower anytime soon (or are looking for inspo for your future shower lol), keep reading:

5 Bridal Shower Ideas

Entryway Sign

One of the first things I knew I wanted to make for Rachel’s shower was a cute entryway sign that everyone saw as they walked in. I decided to make one with a chalkboard! I practiced the design on a sheet of paper and just went for it. I used a chalkboard marker instead of traditional chalk so I could get bright white, smooth and crisp lines. I propped it up outside my front door and tied a batch of pink and white balloons to it. It was a simple and cute way to greet everyone as they walked in!

Photo Booth

Another element I for sure wanted at the shower was a photo booth. I used a pink sheet and nailed it to the wall outside and ordered a cute ‘Miss to Mrs.’ gold banner. To bring in some green, I purchased a string of (fake) eucalyptus. It brought in the pink, gold, and greenery color scheme Rachel will be incorporating into her wedding.

I also purchased some cute photo booth props on Amazon and put them on a card table next to the photo area. I love how minimal and cute these ones were!

Cute Desserts

What’s a bridal shower without cute desserts? I found these cute gold cupcake toppers on Amazon put them on top of vanilla cupcakes with light pink frosting and chocolate cupcakes with white frosting to tie in the color scheme. I used a marble slab and flipped some bowls over to stack the cupcakes on so that some of the cupcakes were elevated more than others. They were a hit, especially since one of the bridesmaid’s mom made the vanilla cupcakes herself!

Gift Table

I also knew I wanted to make the gift table area cute. I purchased a small chalkboard sign that I wrote ‘gifts’ on and placed it next to a flower arrangement (made by one of the bridesmaids, Abby) and a photo of Rachel and her fiancé, Zac. It was simple, but added a personal touch to the table!

Rachel opened her gifts in front of the backdrop, and she took a photo with each of the guests and the gift they gave her.

Games!

Last but not least, a big part of the shower was spent playing games! We played the clothespin game and I also lead a ‘Who Said It’ game. I asked both Rachel and Zac a series of questions before the shower, put together their answers, and mixed them up. I printed them on a card and the guests had to guess who said what statement–was it Rachel, Zac, or both?

The last game we played was led by two of the bridesmaids, Chelsea and Brittany. They gathered up photos of Rachel from when she was younger and passed them around, then we all had to guess what age she was in each photo! The person who guessed the most correctly won. 😉 It was so fun looking through all of the cute photos of Rachel!

Overall, I had so much fun throwing Rachel’s shower. If you’re planning or attending a shower soon, I hope you found this post helpful and were inspired! If you’ve thrown a shower, tell me about it in the comments below. 🙂 I would love to hear from you!

lauren

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In Beauty on

October 30, 2017

My New Favorite Dry Texturizing Spray

Best Dry Texturizing Spray for Fine Hair

I’m always on the hunt for products to add volume and texture to my fine hair. I’ve tried plenty of volumizing shampoo and conditioners, mousses, hairsprays, you name it! However, the product that really changed the game for me was dry texturizing spray.

I discovered dry texturizing spray for the first time a few years ago and fell in love! It’s super simple to use and is great for adding volume, texture, and hold to your style. Just like with anything, though, there are a ton of different brands and variations of dry texturizing spray out there. I’ve definitely tried some that I love and some that I don’t love so much.

I think a big factor to consider when looking for a texturizing spray is your specific hair type. For me, I need something that doesn’t weigh my hair down and at the same time adds body, and I recently found a product that does just that!

Kristen Ess Dry Texturizing Spray

I am the biggest fan of Kristen Ess. She’s a hairstylist who has done hair for celebs like Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and Ashley Tisdale, and this year she launched her own line of hair products at Target! I love her style and all of the tips she shares.

Ever since her product line launched, I’ve been itching to give it a try. So, one day when I was walking through Target (supposed to be getting things other than beauty products haha), I spotted her collection! I was immediately drawn to the Dry Finish Working Texture Spray so I decided to give it a go.

My Thoughts

I can honestly say I love this product! Aside from the cute packaging of her products, they smell amazing and really work. Unlike most sprays I’ve tried, this one holds all day and has immediate results which I love. Plus, it smells amazing! My only word of caution would be that if you don’t like hair products with strong scents, this one might not be for you. Definitely smell it in the store before purchasing to make sure you like it!

How I Use It

I’ve tried using this product a few different ways. I find that they all pretty much have the same effect, but you can play with different methods depending on your hair type and the look/intensity you’re going for. Here are a few tricks you can try at home:

Lightly spray the product all over your head after you’ve styled it. Just be careful right around the roots because you don’t want it to get too stiff!
Lightly spray the product over your hear before styling. This will give your hair extra hold before going in with a curling wand.
Flip your head over and spray the product on. This is for days you want extra volume!
Lift up sections of hair around your crown and spray underneath for a boost.

The great thing about this product is that it’s flexible. Once you spray it on, you can play with your hair and style it just how you want (no helmet head here!).

Have you guys tried dry texturizing spray? What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

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lauren

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In Beauty on

October 5, 2017

5 Makeup Trends to Try This Fall

It’s finally starting to feel like fall here in AZ, which means it’s time to break out the sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and holiday-scented candles.

One of my favorite parts about the beginning of the new season is that allows us to get a fresh start in a way. I love seeing the new trends that come with every season and transitioning my wardrobe, skincare routine, and even makeup routine.

This fall, I’ve been especially inspired to switch up my makeup routine a little bit. I’ve done some research and have experimented with some new trends, so I wanted to share this with you all! Here are 5 fun makeup trends to try this fall:

My Favorite Fall Makeup Trends

Winged Eyeliner

I’ve never really been much of an eyeliner person, especially liquid liner! It’s just way too easy to mess up (haha). However, I’ve always loved the look of winged eyeliner, especially during fall! So, I decided to give it another try, but this time I opted for a gel eyeliner rather than a pen.

The specific eyeliner I tried is this one by Maybelline, and I love it! It’s super easy to apply, and it even comes with its own brush! Plus, it stays all day and doesn’t smudge. Another one that I’ve been loving that’s a bit more subtle is the Jane Iredale Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner in Smoky Quartz. It’s a bit more natural-looking and gives more of a smudged, powdery effect vs. a harsh line. I received this one in a goody bag from an event I attended at Citrine, a natural beauty bar here in AZ!

To create a small wing, I start by drawing a ‘flick’ on both eyes. Then, I step back a little bit from the mirror to make sure they’re even (this is very important!). If they look uneven, it’s easy to make changes before actually drawing the rest of the line. From here, I just fill in the rest of the wing and voila!

Winged eyeliner definitely takes practice and a whole lot of patience, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it. 😉

Warm-toned Eyeshadow

Warmed-tone eyeshadow has definitely been very on-trend this past year. It’s flattering on all eye colors and in my opinion is perfect for fall! A few months ago I received the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette as a gift and have been using it ever since! It has the perfect mix of shimmery and matte textures and ranges from bright, vivid shades to natural tones. What I love most about this palette is that with a light hand, it can be worn for an everyday look. Or, if you want to amp it up, this palette definitely has the shades to do so!

Dewy Skin

My most recent obsession has been facial sprays. I love using them at night as part of my skincare routine as well as to set my makeup. My favorite spray to use at night before I put on my moisturizer is the Mario Badescu Rosewater facial spray (I recently did a blog post on it here). This one is also great for setting makeup or using mid-day to refresh your skin! I think it’s also a great buy at only $7.

One my my favorite sprays to use specifically for setting makeup is NYX’s Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray. It adds the right amount of glow to your face and I love how fine the mist is when it comes out! It’s an even application and doesn’t feel like you’re dousing your face in water (haha).

Cream Contour & Blush

For a lot of us, colder weather means dryer skin. Because I’ve been noticing that my skin is more dry than usual, I’ve swapped out some of my powder products for cream ones.

To contour, I’ve been using this dual-ended contour stick by NYX. I’m not 100% sold on this one so if you have a favorite product for cream contouring let me know in the comments! I know many people use a darker concealer so I’ll probably try this next.

For blush, I’ve still been loving my Glossier Cloud Paints. Like I mentioned in my previous blog post, these are very pigmented, easy to blend, and pretty. They’ve been my go-to for the last few months! I have the shades Dusk and Puff in case you’re wondering.

Nude-Brown Lip

Last but not least, one of my favorite trends for the season has been nudish-brownish lip colors. Dark shades are always nice for fall but for me personally, I feel more comfortable with lighter shades. I think darker nude colors are perfect when you want a little bit of color but nothing too drastic! My favorites are Bite Beauty’s Multisticks and the NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Sandstorm.

Bonus: Experiment With New Nail Polish Colors

While this isn’t necessarily considered makeup, I love swapping out my usual nudish-pinkish nail colors for richer, deeper tones during fall. Here are some of my faves for the season! (FYI Essie is one of my favorite brands 🙂 )

Essie Angora Cardi

Essie Mink Muffs

Essie For the Twill of It

Essie Licorice

OPI Black Burgundy

That’s all for today’s post! I hope you all learned something and feel inspired to try out some new trends this season. Thanks so much for stopping by and I’ll see you in my next post!

Shop the products mentioned in this post below:

lauren

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In Lifestyle on

September 8, 2017

Quick Trip to LA

Hi everyone!

A few months ago, a few of my good friends and I planned a trip to LA for Labor Day weekend. It seems like just yesterday we planned it and now it’s come and gone! I had SO much fun on this trip and we had the chance to do some really cool things, so I wanted to share a quick recap on the blog!

It all started when my friend Reagan and I discovered the Museum of Ice Cream on Instagram. We always talked about how cool it would be to go, and then one day, we had lunch with our friend Mary who said her and our other friend Taylor had been talking about how they wanted to go too! We looked up how to get tickets and saw that the museum was actually going to be moving to San Francisco soon, and they were about to launch the last tickets for LA. So, we decided we were going to try to get tickets!

Reagan, Mary, Taylor and I all work together, so the day tickets went live we all were pretty anxious about whether or not we would actually be able to get them. Luckily, after waiting in line for a few minutes, we snagged 4 tickets for September 3rd!

We were so excited about getting tickets and we planned to spend the weekend in Malibu and LA to knock out some things on our bucket list. Here’s an overview of what we did over the 3 days of our trip!

Day 1

Saturday started bright and early at 5am. We grabbed some Starbucks and hit the road, heading towards Malibu. We decided to take the longer route so we could drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was amazing!

We checked into our hotel in the afternoon and decided to head to the first place on our list: Malibu Farm. We had seen so many photos of this cute restaurant on Instagram, so we knew we had to go! The restaurant is on the pier, so you overlook the ocean while you eat. We had an amazing lunch and took some fun photos.

We headed back to our hotel to freshen up (it was pretty hot that weekend), and then we hopped in the car and headed toward THE BACHELOR MANSION! We were all pretty starstruck and decided to be sneaky and take some pictures of it over the fence.

Next, we stopped by The Malibu Cafe. This outdoor cafe had the cutest little food and drink stands and shops.

After that, we headed to the beach to take some photos and watch the sunset. It was so beautiful! The tide was coming in and the waves were huge!

Afterwards we were pretty hungry so we ended the night by getting some Mexican food. On our way back to the hotel we saw some paparazzi waiting outside Nobu, a sushi restaurant, and we decided to ask who they were waiting for. They said they weren’t waiting for anyone in particular but some of them had seen Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick at the fair earlier!

Day 2

Day 2 was Ice Cream Museum Day! We started our morning by getting coffee at a cute little shop by our hotel. It was probably the best latte I’ve ever had! Then we went to SunLife to get some smoothie bowls.

After having breakfast, we left Malibu and headed toward LA. We heard Taylor Swift’s “…Ready For It?” for the first time on the drive and listened to it over and over again!

Once we arrived to downtown LA, we had some time to kill so we took some photos outside of the cutest nail salon called Base Coat! It was right next to the museum.

Once 1:30 rolled around, it was time to go to the museum. You couldn’t miss it–the entire building is painted bright pink!

Being in the museum was a whirlwind, but it was so much fun. There was so much to see and we stayed busy taking photos the entire time (we were in there for an hour and a half). Each room was so unique and we had the greatest time. Here are some of my favorite photos:

The famous sprinkle pool

After visiting the museum, we headed to our hotel in LA and relaxed for a bit (we were exhausted!). We then headed into the city for some dinner and even sat several tables away from Kylie Jenner’s assistant. We kept waiting for Kylie to show up but unfortunately she never came.

We had a sweet craving after dinner so we decided to get some dessert at Milk. This ice cream shop is known for their macaroon ice cream sandwiches, and now I know why! I tried the green tea and rose flavor.

Day 3

We couldn’t leave LA without stopping by Alfred Coffee and Alfred Tea Room across the street. We got both coffee and tea that morning, and I tried boba for the first time! I’m not sure how I felt about it, but the cute pic I got by the pink wall outside made it worth it.

Alfred Coffee

Alfred Tea Room

After enjoying a nice breakfast, it was time to hit the road and head back to Phoenix. This trip was such a blast and I’m so glad I got to share it with Mary, Reagan, and Taylor. They made it so much fun! We’re already planning our next adventure. 😉

What are your must-see places in LA? I would love to hear in the comments below!

lauren

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In Fashion on

August 29, 2017

What to Consider When Buying Jeans

What to Consider When Buying a pair of Jeans

I love shopping…but the one thing that I’ve always hated shopping for is jeans!

When I go to the store, I have no problem finding tops and dresses that fit. But when it comes to jeans, it’s a whole other story.

I don’t think I’m alone in this, though–trying on jeans is exhausting, and it can be super frustrating too. I actually hate the feeling of wearing a stiff pair of jeans, especially when the weather is hot (like on a 120 degree summer day here in Phx!).

However, jeans are such an important part of any wardrobe. This is especially the case for me because I’m able to dress casual at work. So, what I wear to work is pretty close to the same as what I wear on the weekends (aka I wear jeans all of the time).

Recently I decided I was done with buying jeans that I end up hating later, so I went on a quest for the perfect pair! Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind when you’re on the hunt for the perfect jeans:

Fit

Fit is huge when looking for a pair of jeans! It’s important to take your body type into consideration and what works for you. This is not to say that there are kinds of jeans that you shouldn’t wear, but never feel like you have to make a certain type of jeans work because they’re ‘trendy.’ Stick to the fit that makes you feel confident and that you know you’ll want to wear time and time again.

Things to consider when it comes to fit:

The rise of the jeans (low, mid, high, etc.)
Length (cropped, ankle, long, etc.)
Tightness/Looseness (skinny, boyfriend, relaxed, flare, etc.)

Remember, it’s all about highlighting your best features!

Color

There are so many different shades of denim out there, so it can be overwhelming when shopping. How do you know what color is right for you?

There’s really no right or wrong answer to this question. However, one thing to consider is what you’ll be pairing the jeans with. Are a lot of the tops you own patterned and busy? Then you might want to choose pairs of jeans that are simple and versatile. Or, do you like to keep it basic when it comes to tops? You might want to purchase jeans that are statement pieces. It’s all about the kind of wardrobe you want to build!

For example, I’ve found that simple is better for me personally. Once upon a time I thought having turquoise jeans was a good idea, but I found that they really didn’t pair well with any of my tops and I ended up only wearing them once. So, just keep your personal style in mind and choose jeans that compliment it.

Quality

I’ve definitely learned my lesson when it comes to the quality of the jeans I buy. I consider myself to be a bargain shopper, so in the past I would buy jeans that would fit alright, but were cheap. What I found was that not only were the jeans uncomfortable, but the more and more I washed them, the worse the quality got. So, they would end up sitting in my closet never to be worn again.

After realizing that I had quite the collection of jeans that I never wore, I decided it was time to do something different. So, I went out and invested in several pairs of quality jeans. Don’t get me wrong–I still hunted down deals and got them at Nordstrom Rack, but the quality was so much better. The brand I ended up purchasing was Joe’s Jeans. These jeans retail for up to $200, but I was able to find mine for $70 at Nordstrom Rack. The small jump in price from what I was paying before was totally worth it, because these jeans will last me so much longer!

Style

There are so many fun styles of jeans out there now–ones with embroidery, two-toned jeans, cropped flare jeans, jeans with frayed hems, and more. I’m a fan of all of these styles, but I also know they won’t be trendy forever.

If you want to try out these new styles while also being smart about your wardrobe, try finding more affordable options so you still have room to invest in simple pieces. Just remember that these different styles of jeans will most likely go out of style one day, so you won’t want to look back and regret spending a ton of money on them!

Price

Jeans can range anywhere from $30 to hundreds of dollars. However, a higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality.

A lot of the time when buying expensive jeans, you’re paying for the brand name on the label rather than the quality. So, do your research! Try not to get too caught up in brand names, and instead focus on the material, quality, and fit.

Also, there are a ton of places you can find discounted jeans. Like I mentioned before, Nordstrom Rack has a great selection and you may even be able to snag a pair of designer jeans at places like Last Chance or TJ Maxx. I recommend checking out places like this first and then if you need to, shop at higher end stores.

Building Your Denim Wardrobe

I’m totally guilty of hanging on to clothing items that I just don’t wear anymore. However, this can keep you from seeing what you do have! So, regularly clean out your denim drawer and donate what doesn’t work. This can help you to better see what you have and know what you need next time you go shopping.

Also, when building your denim wardrobe, think about versatility. For example, I have several pairs of different washes of denim, jeans with and without rips, a pair of black jeans, white jeans, and dark green jeans. I’ve found that for me, this is a good selection to pair with my tops, and switching up the jeans I wear can give outfits a whole new look. So, find what works for you and keep versatility in mind so you don’t end up buying several pairs of jeans that almost look exactly the same.

What are your favorite tips for jean shopping? I would love to hear in the comments.

Shop some of my favorite jeans below:

lauren

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In Beauty on

August 26, 2017

Products I’ve Been Loving: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion & Facial Spray

Products I’ve Been Loving Mario Badescu Drying Lotion and Facial Spray

It’s time for another post about skin care! I recently added a few new products to my collection and after trying them out for awhile, I decided I wanted to share my thoughts.

I’ve always heard great things about the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. I’ve tried out a few other products by this brand before (I talked about the Glycolic Acid Toner in my previous skin care tips post), but never got around to trying out the Drying Lotion. I was always intrigued by it and heard great things, but wasn’t sure exactly what it was for.

I’m very blessed and haven’t ever had to deal with severe acne, but I do get an occasional breakout here and there. I’ve tried plenty of zit creams but have actually found none of them to really work. When I get a breakout, I usually just try to not mess with it and let it heal on its own.

However, I was recently at Ulta and found a kit with the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion and a mini size of the Facial Spray on sale. So, I decided to give it a try! Here are my thoughts:

My Experience With the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

The Drying Lotion claims to ‘dry up pimples overnight.’ Sounds pretty amazing to me! It contains salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide to draw impurities from the skin. The bottle has a powdery, pink formula on the bottom with clear liquid that sits on top. It looks like something you would want to shake, but don’t! It’s meant to be this way. (If you accidentally shake it, just let it sit for a few hours and the powder will settle on the bottom again).

How I Use It

This product is meant to be used at night so it can work while you sleep. Plus, it dries white so it’s not something you would want to walk out of the house with. 😉

I simply take a Q-tip and dip it all the way into the bottom of the bottle (you want to make sure you get some of the pink powder). From here, I just dot it on my face wherever I have a breakout or feel one coming. It’s that simple!

As you can imagine, this product is pretty drying. It’s best if used sparingly and only on breakouts, otherwise it can dry out your skin in areas you wouldn’t want it to. If you’re someone with dry skin, I would be especially careful! When you wash it off in the morning, just be sure to follow up by moisturizing and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Does It Work?

From my experience, yes! This product definitely works. It’s best when used right when you feel a breakout coming on. I would say it’s not as effective when used on breakouts that have been there for awhile.

I would also say this product is worth the price of $17. It’s not something you’re going to run out of quickly because you will use such small amounts, and it’s nice just to have it on hand. Plus, you’ll most likely be able to find it on sale or in a combo pack like I did.

My Experience With the Mario Badescu Facial Spray

Now, let’s talk about the facial spray! This product contains aloe vera, gardenia, rose, thyme, and other ingredients that are great for hydration. It claims to ‘soothe and re-energize skin–giving it a healthy, radiant glow.’ It can be used morning, night, before or after makeup, or anytime your skin needs a boost.

How I Use It

I really love using this product at any time–I use it at morning and night before I moisturize and I’ve even used it mid-day on top of my makeup! I find that it really does add a nice boost of moisture to the skin. Plus, it smells and feels great when you apply it!

Does It Work?

This product doesn’t claim to do anything crazy, but I really love using it. I notice that it has definitely helped with moisturizing my skin and I love that you can use it with makeup. At only $7, I think it’s definitely worth the price. Mario Badescu actually just recently launched a new version of this product with green tea, cucumber, and peppermint. I’ll definitely be trying out that one after I finish my current bottle!

Would I Repurchase?

I would definitely repurchase both of these products! I’ve actually already repurchased a full-size bottle of the facial spray since the one I had before was mini and I’m going to save it for travel. I love both of these products and think they would be great for any skin type. They’ve really become a staple in my collection!

Have you tried either of these products? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Shop the products mentioned in this post below:

lauren

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Day 1

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Fit

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Building Your Denim Wardrobe

My Experience With the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

How I Use It

Does It Work?

My Experience With the Mario Badescu Facial Spray

How I Use It

Does It Work?

Would I Repurchase?