Sorry for the lull

Been having quite a lot of family trouble the last week or so. However, I think putting some more effort into this blog might be just the distraction I need.
So, without further ado, I have a few things I'd like to share. Stay vigilant.
XO, Katelyn

What I Wore Today

I don't usually do posts like this, but I was feeling adventurous and thought to myself, "Why not?"

 TOP - Cotton On (originally $14.95, but I got it on sale for $5!)
SHORTS - Charlotte Russe
TIGHTS - Target
SHOES (not pictured) - Charlotte Russe
RING - Charlotte Russe
LIPSTICK - Big Apple Red by Maybelline
MASCARA - A sample of something by Clarins.

I just got a fancy schmancy new laptop WITH A WEBCAM so expect lots of junk like this, but as per the whole theme of this blog, I'll try to stick to beauty. Who knows, maybe I'll even do a makeup tutorial! Wouldn't that just be the bomb? Anyway, back to my original intent:

Today I had to run to the mall (aka, buy my sister a backpack) and it was raining. I work at the mall so I'm at the point where I don't want to spend lots of time doing my hair and makeup and put all my effort into an outfit, so I tried to keep it as effortless as possible. When getting dressed, I always consider the weather. Who doesn't? It was raining pretty flippin' hard, so I opted for shorts and tights. I don't care what anyone says, there is nothing worse than wet skin. Laugh all you want at that. I was going to wear a heavy sweater I just purchased from Express, but that felt wrong because the heat index was 103 F, despite the torrential downpour. This is one of my favorite tops ever and even though it shrunk a little in the wash (and I immediately broke out in hives at the thought of not being able to tuck my shirt in), I still love it. I kept accessories very simple, with a cute owl ring I got at Charlotte Russe. You can't see them in the pictures, but I'm wearing a pair of red flats from Charlotte Russe.

When it came to hair and makeup, I kept it super-duper simple. I didn't put any product in my hair; instead I just tousled it with my hand while I dried it. I blow dry my bangs with a barrel brush, so I twisted my hair back in a bun and left it there for about twenty minutes. Even though it was raining, I applied a tinted moisturizer (Clinique has a really good one) with SPF 25 and just lightly penciled my eyebrows over with a dark brown eyeliner. A couple swipes per eye with Clarins mascara (I'm between mascaras right now) on the top and bottom lash, applied some Burts Bees before my lipstick, and voila! I'm ready for the day.

In the meantime, if you read this blog, what would you like to see more of? I'd like to do some DIY beauty things, tutorial videos, etc, but I need suggestions! Leave your ideas in the comments.

xo Andie

Senior in the City

A lovely friend of mine, actually my youth minister's wife, offered to take my Senior pictures for me. I chose to take them in Seville Quarter and Seville park, in downtown historic Pensacola, because i wanted to have some photos in the places from my childhood. I think they turned out really well. I'm especially proud of the outfit. Especially since my earrings ended up matching pretty much everything.
Dress; Converse for Target, $20.00
Shoes: thrifted
Earring: Borrowed from AVM.
My makeup was done by the lovely and always stylish Ms. Ashley VM (AVM), who also dyed/cut/styled my hair for the event. Keep an eye out for more on AVM in the future, as she is one of my go-to's for style tips and is always about 3 months ahead on the trends.
LindyLou Photography

 

 Even though it started to pour a millisecond after we ran to the car, it was a great session.

I love the concept of pairing nude shoes with a white dress. It keeps the effect light and summery, as opposed to black shoes, which could've weighed it down. The teal earrings add just enough color to make the white less monochromatic.

In other news, I love this dress on AVM. Must investigate as to where she got it.

XO, Kat

Sephora Safari

Someone should deck me in the face for my lack of activity on here. I would like to tell you all that I traveled to Africa and saved a bunch of children from starvation, won the Nobel Peace Prize AND the Pulitzer Prize all in one weekend, but sadly, all I did was work, eat cookies, and watch Doctor Who. HOWEVER, I did manage to come up with a few snazzy posts (because my mind is that awesome) for you guys, and this is the first.

I love Sephora. We don't have one here, but whenever I travel I make sure the city I'm going to has one and that I have enough money to blow on products I most definitely can't live without don't need. So here, dear readers (all two of you who subscribed), are some of the things on Sephora that are worth blowing your paycheck on and won't make you feel guilty.

I know that I have blogged about this previously, but I just love it to pieces (funny story - the tube is made  glass, and I once dropped it on our tile floor trying to get it out of my purse. The lid chipped and broke in two pieces). Stella by Stella McCartney Roll-On Eau de Parfum at $20 a tube. And here's the super-awesome part: there is a limited edition set where you can buy four roll-on tubes for $42!!!! THAT'S AN $80 VALUE FOR ONLY $42!!! Imagine I said that like Billy Mays. Excuse the exclamation points and bolding, I am really tired.

I don't understand why they (they = scientific community) have not yet invented something that allows us ladies to mold our eyebrows into the shape/color/thickness we want them to be and then halt the hair-growth so they just stay that way forever. Who likes plucking their eyebrows? Waxing is my preferred method, but I only get my brows waxed when I go in for a hair cut, which we all know only happens about once a year (I know, shame on me). However, there is a solution: brow (I typed bro) goddess Anastasia has put together a kit of all her best brow-goodies which include things such as cooling eye brightener, lash lifting mascara, stencils, precision tweezers for runway perfect brows, and a nifty little DVD/instruction guide so you'll have flawless brows. It's a little pricey, at $75, but that's way better than $171 value.

I was trying really hard to keep this under $50, I swear. But this is INCREDIBLY worth it. I bought (well actually, Mom bought) me this little gem in July right before my junior year of high school, and it seriously lasted me all the way up through December. No joke. Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit. $65 for a $159 value? YES! It contains a primer, foundation, concealer and brightener, two brushes, a sponge, a puff, and powder to seal off your flawless face. It even has a lovely little bag to store your goodies in! It comes in "Nude" (for fair to light complexions, aka me) and "Sand" (for light to medium, aka Katelyn in the wintertime). 

I just had an anneurism when I checked Sephora for their Kiehls page and saw they don't carry the brand anymore. SINCE WHEN, SEPHORA? If someone could be so kind as to let me know, it would be much appreciated. Muchas gracias. ANYWAY, if I can't have Kiehls, I go to L'Occitane. It's just as good, don't get me wrong, but I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuv me some Kiehls. L'Occitane does make a pretty rad lotion though. It's Shea Butter Hand Cream and will make your hands feel like they're flying with an angel while eating red velvet cupcakes and stroking the fur of a kitten. You can buy 1oz for $10 or 5.2oz for $26. Personally I'd splurge and go for the 5.2oz because that way you have more to enjoy!

I swear by this; I really truly do. My skin gets somewhat oily, but I definitely have to wash it twice a day if I want to avoid looking like I've been "glistening" all day long. I've tried many skincare regimes (except Proactive - my skin isn't THAT bad) but this is the only one that doesn't dry up my skin and leaves it looking healthy right after I wash it. Clinique's Acne Solutions kit comes with a cleansing face wash with salicilic acid, (buy the foam, not the bar), clarifying toner with salicilic acid (it's really gross/fascinating to look at the cotton ball after you've wiped off your face and go "ewww, THAT'S how much dirt is on my face?!?!?!"), and then a benzoyl peroxide moisturizer that zaps problem zits practically overnight. Just use twice a day after taking off your makeup and voila! It doesn't take a lot of product to clear your skin up, so $32.50 goes a long way.

What are some good things you've found on Sephora? We'd love to know!

xo

Andie

Evolution pt. 2

Climb into my metaphorical time machine, it's quite the journey back through high school.
I present to you (drumrollllllll) the Evolution of Katelyn (or "Lessons I learned along the way.")

Here's a gem. 8th grade.

Lesson: Don't be afraid of color

This one is particularly shudder inducing. 9th grade. I remember thinking my white zip up hoodie was IT! And a black bubble mini? Tres chic!

Lesson: All trends don't work for all people. Know your body type, personal style, color pallate, etc.

Homecoming, 11th grade. I was mostly excited because I lost some weight (thanks, mono!) and was able to fit into a dress from 8th grade. And it was one of my better homecoming choices, to be honest. Classy black and red, flattering cut. That's my natural hair on a good day.

Lesson: Sometimes, less is more.

The magic of trasformation. On the left, 12th grade, long hair. On the right, 12th grade, short hair.

Lesson: A simple change can make a world of difference. Sometimes, the risk is soooo worth the reward.

12th grade, Homecoming.  This dress cost me $35.00 and made me feel like Katy Perry. I died my hair black that morning, and between the color and the sequins, achieved ultimate shock factor. It was brilliant.

Lesson: Sometimes, more is more. Especially when it involves glitterrrr.*
                     *use with caution to avoid prostitute references.

 12th grade, ITC in Tampa. Finally comfortable with my appearance. Pretty much how I look now, only with red hair (Sorry, no good pictures were available at press time.)

Lesson: When you're comfortable in what you're wearing, it'll show.











Well, that was painful. How about you guys? Any major makeovers? Drastic changes? Embarrassing photos from your teen years? Feel free to share, I love to hear from you.

XO, Kat

Sheer Audacity

Bought this top yesterday, a la Charlotte Russe, $19.99

I bought it with my eighteenth birthday in mind (that's four weeks from yesterday, so start shopping, people.) But today, when my brother offered to take me to dinner, I wanted to test-drive it, so to speak.

So I emerge from my bedroom like this:

 

Reaction: "You are not leaving the house like that."

From my own  brother, nonetheless.

I call Shenanigans on this. Carrie Bradshaw rocked the sheer top/black bra combo all over Manhattan

Man Repeller (aka Fashion Blogger BIBLE) does it.

 

Even Transformers star and Megan Fox replacement Rosie Huntington-Whitely embraces the sheer trend.

I was bullied into changing into "something decent." So for now, I suppose I'll just have to keep rocking this look around my room and listening to the Killers station on Pandora. At least, until i can find a suitable length bandeau top.

Until next time, 

XO, K

Betsy on a Budget

You will quickly learn, dear readers, of my obsession with all things Betsy Johnson. No one does it quite like her. I love the colors and the prints and the random bits of fun she throws into her work. It's by far my favorite, and I spend ridiculous amounts of time lusting after things that pass across my computer screen via this lovely site. I mean really, look at some of this stuff.

 

Be still my heart. Where was this black feather-y masterpiece when i was searching high and low for a prom dress a few months ago? And really, my life will not be complete without this mermaid necklace. 

Betsy jewelry, luckily, is often easy to come by.  Check the jewelry counters at your local department stores (JC Penny, Dillards, Belk), or, on occasion, you can score some simpler pieces for ridiculous prices at T.J.Maxx.  

For everything else, however, I am simply out of luck. I find Betsy shoes often, but the reality of the situation is that I drive a pickup truck that gets approximately 8mpg's, and simply can not justify spending that much on shoes. As much as it pains me. Therefore, to satisfy my cravings for excessive uses of glitter, patterns, and tulle, I've learned a few tricks of the trade. Observe.

Denim romper: $278.00 by Betsy

or

Chambray Romper: $22.80 @ F21

Denim Romper: $17.99 @ Macy's

Lizzie Combat Boot w/Heel: $149.95 @ Betsy

Tinaaa Suede Bootie $119.95 @ Betsy

or

Lace-up Buckle Wedge Bootie: $45.50 @ Charlotte Russe

Faux Suede Cage Heel: $25.00 @ Charlotte Russe

Thorn Sleeveless Dress: $418.00 @ Betsy

or

Tuxedo Corset Top: $19.99 @ Charlotte Russe 

Tulle Mini (available in black): thrifted

Some things just can't be duplicated, but when it comes to interpreting Betsy style into your everyday wardrobe, all it takes is a taste for adventure. And maybe a bedazzler and some hot glue would be helpful as well.

XO, K

My name is Katelyn, and I'm a shoe-addict.

I have the uncanny ability to buy shoes that I have absolutely nothing to wear with, which forces me to buy entire outfits based on shoes. It's not healthy, but it's definitely an adventure. For example, today my grandmother, who is fantastic and proof that shoe-addiction is a genetic disorder and i am not to blame, bought me this fabulous pair of maroon heels at Target, $17.00.

I don't know if I've ever been so excited about shoes. I'm sitting on my bed right now, wearing flannel pajamas (yes.) and these heels. I realized, upon recieving them, that I had nothing to wear them with, however. Cue shopping montage.

Here's how to build a look entirely around a pair of shoes (same theories work for other accessories, as well. I won't lie: many of my outfits revolve around earrings i bought on impulse.)
Step 1: Choose a season. These shoes, although open toed, suggest more of a fall/winter vibe, especially paired with black tights and a pretty white trench in the winter. But alas, It is summer, so I'll show a great way to translate them to this season.
Step 2: Identify a core color (black, white, grey, brown, or navy) to complement the shoes. For these, I chose black.
Step 3: Decide whether gold or silver (or pearls, or diamonds) when accessorizing. It's not necessary to accessorize everything, but choosing one of these will still help you to come up with some sort of vision.
Step 4: Begin building, using your previously decided scheme. Sometimes it is possible to add another color to the mix, although I find that with shoes, I usually want them to be the focal point, and generally stick to a more neutral palate when the shoes are colored.

The 50's feel of these T-straps immediately called for a full skirt. How about this one, a la Modcloth. And to add an even more retro feel, a corset top, a pretty floral one from Macy's. Tucked into the skirt and belted (black belt). All that's left are retro shades and a pretty bag (I'm in love with this adorable shell bag, also ModCloth) to make this the perfect outfit for a day on the town. Add a cardi in creme or grey, and it even works for church.
And there you have it: how to handle your impulse shoe buys so that no one knows you have a problem.
XO, Kat