Back to School: Backpack Essentials

As I prepare to head off to my first year of college, I have done what probably would seem to be an ridiculous amount of research on what I will need to bring with me. Most importantly, I wanted to know what all the essentials to have in your backpack include. Here are the items I plan to carry with me at all times and that I found to be most important!

Let's start off with the bag. This adorable backpack show above is from, none other than, Target! They've had some really cute backpacks for the back to school season and when I saw this one I couldn't pass it up. I also have another plain black backpack that is a bit more heavy duty than this one, but I hope to use this cute patterned bag as much as I can without it clashing with any of my outfits!

School supplies is obviously a necessity. My favorite items are Five Star notebooks and folders. I also carry with me a variety of pens and pencils to take notes and study with. Highlighters are also important study aids that can help to liven up your notes. One thing I never thought of until doing a bit of looking into what school supplies to bring was a mini stapler. When you have something to turn in during a college class, your professor with most likely not pass the one class stapler around the desk like I experienced in high school. Having your own mini stapler can be a life saver in case you had to print something out last minute and totally forgot to staple it before throwing it in your bag. 

Marbled Stone Nails

Hey guys! I wanted to share this super cool nail art with you all in case you wanted to try out a new look. I followed a YouTube tutorial that you can check out {here} and I love the way it turned out. I changed the colors up a little bit but I really do think that it looks like a turquoise stone on your nails. It is so perfect for summer and you'll have tons of people asking you how you did your nails.

I hope you liked my spin on this awesome nail look. Although it can be time consuming, the end result is so worth it. And you could definitely change this to any color combo and create the illusion of different stones. Let me know if you try it out and if there are any other cool nail techniques or looks I should try out!

xx Meghan

Summer Proof Makeup

The worst thing about summer is coming home from a super fun day running around in the sun, taking a look in the mirror and seeing your makeup smudged under your eyes. Then you are left wondering how long it was there and if anyone else thought you look looked like a rogue raccoon. In order to prevent this from ever happening, you need to summer proof your makeup!

Here are some of my favorite summer-proof products, however I wouldn't recommend going for a swim with any of them on. In my experience something can be as waterproof as can be but it'll still smudge on me, so I'd opt for no makeup when swimming. These products are great though if you are going to be out in the sun and you don't want everything to melt off.

1. Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow: These are great because they are so quick to apply and won't crease on you eyelids. they come in tons of great summer-y shades too!
2. Covergirl BB Cream: This product offers light coverage, hydration, and sun protection. You can't ask for much more in a face product during the summer time. It's super easy to reapply throughout the day because of it's sheer finish and will give you a health glow without looking like you caked on the makeup.
3. Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick: I use these as eye liner on my upper lash line and tight line. The are smudge proof and last all day, I love using the fun shades to add a pop of color to my look.
4. Maybelline Baby Lips: These chap sticks are perfect for the summer. Some offer light washes of colors and SPF which is perfect when you are out in the sun.
5. Maybelline Falsies Waterproof: I know I said waterproof doesn't work when swimming for me, but it definitely helps my mascara for smudging onto my skin. Falsies is one of my favorites too!
6. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush: Some cream blushes I find to be too oily, but these blushes have such a light airy texture I don't feel like they are heavy on my skin.

What are your favorite summer proof makeup products? Share them below in the comments!

xx Meghan

Nail Tutorial (on YouTube!)

Hey guys! I was playing around with some stuff today and I decided to make a nail tutorial and upload it on YouTube. I really like making videos and it was really fun to put this one together. I thought that it also would be easier for you guys to follow along to, more so than a few pictures. Please comment, like and subscribe if you like the video and want to see more! And remember to watch in HD for best quality!

These nails were inspired by an Instagram post I saw on Chi Nail Bar's page and I tried to re-create the look. Obviously they are not nearly as professional as the real thing, but I tried to make it simple to follow along to and also use the things that I had. I hope you all enjoy it and try it out!

xx Meghan

New Year's Eve Outfit

As the month of December draws to a close, we all know what is awaiting us, welcoming us into the new year. New Year's Eve! And with that year long awaited night comes parties and get togethers to bring in 2013. When thinking about the night, most probably associate it with a glitter drenched outfit, and I am not one to turn this opportunity down. I put together this cute look to give you some inspiration when deciding what to wear on NYE.

I chose to make the focus these adorable gold glitter shorts. There are tons of cute statement shorts at stores like H&M and Forever 21 so you won't have to splurge on one night's outfit and you can also chose from a large variety to find your favorite metallic shade. 

I have also been loving gold and mint recently, which explains this combination. I wanted to add a jacket to have some layers in the look and when I saw this mint one I thought it'd be so cute. You can totally play with your accent color depending on your taste and the other pieces in your outfit. I also tied the mint color back in with a cute geometric necklace. 

For accessories, I added black tights and gold pumps which I feel might be a little tacky but, hey it's New Year's right?! I love this envelope clutch with the tassels and it'll be perfect to hold all your essentials. To add even more glamour, pop on a couple gold bangles and you'll be set. 

I kept the makeup pretty simple with just a shimmery bronzed gold eyeshadow that would look great with other complementary neutral/smokey shades. Some smudged eyeliner is also always a good go to tactic. These Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are perfect because they aren't heavy at all and are nice and moisterizing. The color will also wear on into the night and you'll have nice smooth lips when it comes time for your new year's kiss. 

I hope you guys enjoyed this little outfit idea, share with me what you'll be wearing on New Year's in the comments. Happy New Year!

xx Meghan

Post Christmas Cheer

Hi guys! Sorry again for a prolonged hiatus. I have just gotten so busy that my blog had to go on the back burner for a while. I hope to get back in the swing of things soon and I thank everyone that still checks out my blog for their continued support! I thought I would just share some images of a few little beauty products I got for Christmas/recently. I was playing around with my sister's camera and then I thought: "Why not post this?" I got some MAC products as a little present to myself with a gift card that I have had for a while, and this also marks the first MAC lip product I have owned! I found a cute little mini sized set of Benefit products at Ulta which my mom kindly stuffed in my stocking. I still haven't been able to bring myself to buy anything full sized from Benefit yet, despite my love affair with all of their products. I also picked up one of the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadows from the new metallic collection which I am very excited about. I use one out of my other two Color Tattoos almost every day!

More pictures after the jump:

Color Love: Burgundy

For the fall time, I am obsessed with the darker versions of some of my favorite bright summer shades. One of those is a vampy, burgundy maroon color! Using this hue in different ways is super in for the upcoming season and can add a fun bit of drama. I love incorporating it into my accessories but you can also make it a statement by choosing a cute flowy skirt or a bold top. Another way I love to wear burgundy is with my makeup! I love it as a nail color because it is really dark but not as intense as black. I also think a maroon lip or cheek would be super pretty on a color autumn day. What are your favorite ways to wear burgundy and do you have a favorite color for this season? Hope you all are enjoying this last bit of summer.

xx Meghan

Makeup Bag Essentials

I am not someone who likes to bring a full load of makeup to school but rather stick to the things that'll be good to have around in case I smudge my eye makeup or forget to use something in the morning. If you want to bring more makeup related products I'd definitely recommend things that can be multi purposeful. Choose a lipstick that isn't only a great shade for you lips but also could double as cream blush. Things that have dual purposes will save you space in your makeup bag and you will have less things to worry about bringing.

Personal hygiene is one of the most important things to keep up. However, everyone has had that one day that they are running late and forgot to put on deodorant or brush their teeth. Keep miniature sizes of those products so you will never have to worry. I also would have to say if you can find a miniature size of anything, get it, especially for something that needs to be portable like your makeup bag. Another thing that is helpful to stay feeling refreshed at school are oil absorbing sheets. After gym class or even if you just have oily skin, these sheets will remove excess oils without ruining your makeup.

It can be hard to feel nice when you are having a bag hair day. Keep extra hair ties and bobby pins in your bag just in case your locks won't cooperate. I also like to have these sorts of things just for when I want my hair out of my face. I usually put my hair up when I am taking a test or you may need to put in back in science class.

For actual makeup, I keep it pretty low key. The main things I have in my makeup bag are lip products. I like to keep a lip balm, gloss, and some sort of stain or tint. The three things shown in the picture are staples in my makeup bag. It is also super easy to add a little bit of makeup to your lips and you will look super polished after.

About at the mid day point at school I feel like my skin looks a bit tired and less glowy than it did in the morning. This is why I prefer to keep a matte bronzer in my makeup bag, but you could totally switch this up for a light, translucent powder. You can use the applicator, if it comes with one, or just a miniature sized face brush or kabuki. I don't wear pencil eyeliner too much but for some reason I think it is a useful thing to keep in your makeup bag for touch ups or if you decide you want to amp up your eye look. Mascara is definitely a number one must have! Keeping a mini sized bottle in your purse can be a life saver in case you forgot to apply it in the morning or just need another coat.

These are all the things I keep in my makeup bag! Let me know your must haves for yours in the comments. If there are any other Back to School types posts you would like to see let me know what those are also.

xx Meghan

Friday Favorites

 {Feminine lace sweater and a gold, geometric necklace}

 {Beads I have been using to make bracelets}

 {A really awesome lip combo for the summer}

{Fun peach and copper mani, plus a band aid!}

I hope you all are having a wonderful Friday! Let me know if there are any particular things you would like me to work on a blogpost for. I love hearing from you guys! What are some of your Friday Favorites?

XOXO Meghan

Little Wishes

1. Pyramid Bracelets: I have suddenly become obsessed with these little treasures for stacking and dressing up my arm parties. As seen in this gorgeous picture, the gorgeous white and gold bracelet on the left adds a playful but classy look to the mix. Forever 21 has a great selection of on-trend bracelets and for such a low price I am dying to get over to the mall so I can stock up!

2. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains: I am a sucker for cute packaging and colors so when I saw these I was in for it. For such a long time now I have loved the concept of the Clinique Chubby Stick but I never got around to purchasing one. So when these came out I couldn't wait to  try out a cheaper alternative. Again, the packaging is super cute and great for quick pops of color throughout the day. I wanted my first one to be one that would be great as a daily staple so I got the shade Honey (third over from the left in the picture). I really like it and now I want to get some more.

3. Rhinestone Chain: I found myself wanting to be very crafty lately. I am always frustrated though because I never have all the supplies I need. My goal within the next few weeks is to track down some rhinestone chain. I scavenged through the entire jewelry section of my Michael's for some and it was nowhere to be found. I am thinking about just ordering some cheap of eBay unless someone can locate this little guy in my craft store for me. I want to do some cool DIYs and what project doesn't need a little sparkle!

These are just a few things I have been lusting over this week. Was there something you guys couldn't get off your mind? And, honestly, if someone finds me some rhinestone chain I will love you forever!! Anyways, hope your weekend is off the a great start. Don't forget to check out my last post which was a super cool DIY for Floral Sunglasses!

XOXO Meghan

Images {here, here, & here}

Makeup for Glasses

Glasses aren't always the cutest accessories ever, but sometimes it can be fun to change up your look. I have pretty terrible eyesight and am an avid contact lens wearer, but sometimes I revert back to my big, black frames. I find though, that not all my everyday makeup looks always work when I wear my glasses. If anyone else seems to be facing this problem as well I have put together this look and also some goods tips and tricks.

Basically the goal while doing makeup for glasses is the make your eyes pop even while they are hidden behind your frames. To do this you want to create the illusion of your eyes being bigger than they are. To do this you want some shimmer but also matte colors to define your eyes. I have listed the exact products I used to create this look but have also tried to describe them so you can look in your own collection for things similar! Let's get started:

Pack the Perfect Beach Bag!

Since summer is in season and with that comes warm weather I decided to put together a sort of guide of what to keep in your beach bag! This is also like a What's in My Beach Bag because I went through mine to put the picture together! You could also take this to the pool or wherever you like to go in the summer to beat the heat! Tell me in the comments what your one essential thing you keep in your beach/pool bag! Happy Summer!

The Bag: I love to bring a backpack because my hands can be free to carry other stuff like towels, chairs, and coolers. For me I can pack more too if I bring a backpack! I also like that I can zip it up and keep the sand out. I really like the backpacks target has. They have some with really cute prints like the one above that are perfect for summer!

Spring Things: Beauty

After having Spring Break, I always feel so ready to jump into all the latest trends! Some of my favorite beauty trends for spring are bright cheeks, pastel nails, defined lashes, and glowy skin. I took some pics of my own personal favorite beauty products I will be all over this spring. Let me know what you favorite spring trends and products are in the comments! I love to hear from you guys and try out new products so definitely share what you love. I'm working on another post for my spring fashion picks that should be up soon so look out for that, see you soon!

{From L-R: China Glaze Pink Voltage, Essie Haute as Hello, Revlon Charming, OPI Mod About You, China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, Essie Mint Candy Apple}

{Top L-R: MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Gentle Coral, NYX Mosaic Powder Blush in Love, Maybelline 25hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream

Bottom: Essence Get BIG! Lashes Mascara, ELF Liquid Eyeliner in Copper}

XOXO Meghan

Spring Foundation Routine

{CoverGirl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer, N.Y.C. Green Cover Stick, Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, N.Y.C. Matte Bronzer in Sunny, Sonia Kashuk Rosey Creme Blush, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush and Bronzer in Rosy}

As it begins to warm up outside, I try to go for a fresh and light face of makeup. These are my everyday essentials and staples. And most of these things I actually use all year round, but they are very fitting for the warmer months. And contrary to the title, I don't use a foudation (I feel like foundations don't work very well with my skin texture) but I do use a tinted moisturizer. This keep my face looking healthy and natural and also helps to keep off minor dryness that I get from acne medications. And to any blemishes I like to start off with a green concealer to cancel out redness and then top it off with a creamy, skin toned one. I have fallen in love with the Maybelline Fit Me concealer! It blends so nicely into your skin and looks so natural. I top all that off with some MSFN and a big kabuki brush. 

Next I'll add some bronzer to my face, I normally use a matte one but if I am going out or something I like to add a little shimmer. Sometimes I'll for just one formulation of blush but I usually use both. I'll start with my cream blush and pat that onto the apples of my cheeks and then top it off with a light dusting of a powder blush.To finish off, I'll give everything a final blending with my bronzer brush!

What are your favorite fave products for the Spring/Summer months! Let me know down in the comments!

XOXO Meghan

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Mousse Blush

If you're a blush addict like I am, you may have already seen these in stores or even cleared out the entire display! A while ago Maybelline came out with their 'Dream' line (I suppose you could call it that), and as sort of a spin off they have now created the Dream Bouncy Blushes. I saw these and I had to get one! They come in a variety of really beautiful colors and when they are called "bouncy" it is because they are bouncy. When you put your finger one the blush it kind of puff back up if you press down, it's really cool! 

Besides that, and probably the more important part, they look super natural on your skin. They aren't you normal cream blush, but they definitely aren't a powder. If you have tried Maybelline's Dream Mousse blushes, they are more similar to that just not as airy and whipped. The color pigmentation is really good in my opinion. I have three shades: Plum Wine, Candy Coral, and Hot Tomale. My favorite right now is Plum Wine, but I think I will really love the other two shades for summer! 

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Next time you see these maybe you'll decide to try them out! I know I want to get them all! Have you tried them? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

XOXO Meghan

Best of 2011: My Favorite Products

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To round off this year, I decided to create a list of my favorite of favorites from 2011. This encompasses pretty much everything that I have really loved this year. I switch up items that I use almost weekly for some things so it was hard for me to think back to the things I have been using for a good amount of this year. So that shows how much I love these things! Let me know your favorites of this year!

1. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

I got this lotion actually on January first of this year and since then I haven't gone back! I am pretty low maintenance on moisturizers, so this one is perfect for me. It keeps my skin feeling fresh and clean all day. I use the gel because I have combo/oily skin, they also have a lotion version for dry skin, but I would probably recommend the gel for people with normal skin because I feel like it's a little lighter than the lotion. But it is a great all encompassing moisturizer!

2. Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara (Volume and Fusion)

I used one of these two mascaras all throughout summer! I will always have that iconic orange mascara tube with me, it is great by itself and also layers great with all other mascaras. I have been using some sort of version of Lash Blast for about 2 or 3 years now, if that's not dedication that I don't know what is! It always works!

3. Remington Curling Wand

I got this  hair iron back in 2010 for Christmas and I just works so perfectly for my hair. I have naturally curly hair, but pretty much only on my bottom layers. Then, my top layers are almost stick straight! This curling wand works wonders on my limp hair to give it a really effortless and natural look. You can go from ringlets to beachy waves! 

4. Basic Scarfs

I honestly wear a scarf probably five out of seven days in the week! I pretty much alternate between my black and white cashmere ones but sometimes I mix it up with a fun pattern. I get cold super easy and scarf are great to stay warm and also look really cute. It might just be me but I feel like scarves can make an outfit look super cute even when they are just a solid color.

5. Clairsonic + Purity Made Simple

I got the set in the picture from QVC that included the Clairsonic Plus (in pink!!) and some Philosophy items a while back. I have always love this cleanser and the Clairsonic makes your face so soft and gets out all the leftover makeup!

6. Steve Madden "Intyce" Boots

I pretty much wear these everyday! They are so cute and go with any outfit! They are the perfect riding boot and I cannot gush about them enough. Pretty much everyone has these boots at my school but they are so great I understand why! Definitely recommend if you are looking for a nicely made riding boot.

7. Vintage Coach Messenger Bag

I bought this at thrift store for like $15! I use it all the time for shopping or for school! I actually has a pretty good amount of room to where I can fit a reading book in it and my lunch for school and a water! It is really versatile and a easy choice when it comes to picking out the bag I want to wear, it's really great. You can only find it online now I believe, especially on Etsy!

8. NYX Blush Rouge Cream in Glow

I definitely have an unhealthy obsession with blush! I especially love this cream blush from NYX. It honestly does add a "glow" to your face that is really pretty. It is so pigmented and is super creamy compared to a MAC blushcreme. This is a really great universal pink color that looks good on its own or with a powder blush on top. You can buy NYX online or in ULTA.

9. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

I was going through a bit of a rough patch with my hair mid summer. It didn't feel soft, it was dry and damaged. I decided to try this out it did wonders for my hair. Even after one wash my hair felt smoother and softer. I also love the smell!

10. Pearl Studs

I have never really been that big into earrings even though I love the look of long dangly ones! It always seems like a hassle to put them on! But pretty much all this year I wore pearl studs! They go with any outfit and are just so classic. I have like five pairs in different colors and sizes and I love them!

What were your favorites of 2011?! Hope you all are really for the New Year and are have a safe and fun New Year's Eve!

XOXO M

Counting Down

Look glamourous while counting down to the new year! When I think of New Years, I think of sparkle! I chose this great sequin dress with some sheer black tights. I added the Lita booties for some edge, but any black heel would look great. If you were to skimp on the accessories you could even go for booties with a little glitter! The oversized clutch can hold all the necessities you'll need. For jewelry I chose small little stud earrings, some gold stack rings, and a gold watch so you can look out for midnight. I kept the makeup fairly simple with just a champagne eyeshadow and some black liner. The bold lips add a pop to the look, I think any lipstick would look good with this look, maybe fuchsia! I picked a gold nail polish, but if you want a little less sparkle go with a black. Hope you all are excited for the new year, see you in 2012!

XOXO M

Clean Sweep

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Washing your brushes is a very important step in not only makeup sanitation but also the cleanliness of your skin and face. Old makeup that is sitting in the fibers of your brushes can lead to bacteria and other icky stuff, and it may even be a contributing factor to breakouts and acne. Even if that is not what causes your breakouts, it is still necessary to wash your brushes. Everyday would be the best, but we all know that isn't practical. Try to clean your brushes at least once a week. I know that I struggle to do even that, but if you get in the habit it wont be that much of a chore. Continue reading for tips and the steps to take when cleaning your makeup brushes.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

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On the hunt for a good, new foundation? Well, look no further! Lately I have been loving the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation. I have always been on the fence with liquid foundations, due to my fear of cake-y makeup, however I don't think my skin has ever looked any better with makeup on than when I use this. It gives your face a sheen, which some people dislike (mainly the oily skinned girls out there), however I have moderately oily skin, and I have found that the more moisturized my skin is, the better this foundation looks (I think I may do a little skincare type post too, b/c when I say moisturized, I am not just talking about a normal face lotion. I have a little, semi-secret trick! Let me know what you think!) . Not to say that this isn't for girls with dry skin, I would not really know that, it's just something I've noticed. Now to the other pros and cons...

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Haven't any idea what to get your family or friends for the Holidays? Whether you'd like to splurge on a gift or grab something cheap and quick, there are tons of options to choose from. You don't even have to buy the exact things I show. You can always go cheaper (or more expensive) but keep the idea!