Hey everyone! Welcome back to Compass to Confidence! Summer is finally here, and while it may get pretty hot where I live, I still enjoy summer fashion. Today, I wanted to share a summer ootd (outfit of the day) with you all. This outfit a go-to look for me during this time of year, and I absolutely love this look! The outfit can be worn for multiple occasions; a beach or pool day, an afternoon picnic, and even going out to run some errands. It is simple but also fun, and I enjoy putting my own twist on trendy pieces!
Let’s start with my favorite clothing item at the moment! I just adore this gingham printed bodysuit! I bought this at T.J. Maxx about a month ago, and I thought it was adorable. I really love how flattering scoop necklines are, and I like the simple thin brown straps. Gingham is always a popular choice for summer, and I like that the colors are neutral (brown and white). The material is super comfortable as well, but it’s not too hot for the summer time. I am not able to directly link this piece, but if you have a T.J. Maxx nearby, check it out, or even try to do some browsing online!
My other new obsession? These denim shorts! Before my recent vacation, I was in need of some new denim shorts. I happened to stop by Old Navy and came across the High-Waisted O.G. Straight Ripped Jean Shorts. I fell in love with these because they just fit me perfectly! They don’t rise up as the day goes on, and they literally go with any outfit. I always love high-waisted bottoms because they’re so flattering, and I am happy to now own a pair of dark wash denim shorts! I like that the small rips are subtle, and it’s not overdone. They are a classic pair of denim shorts, and I highly recommend getting them for yourself! These will never go out of style. I bought these for $30 and you can purchase them here!
For my bag, I went with this really cute half moon woven crossbody from H&M. I got this for Christmas last year, and I knew that it would go perfect with all of my summer outfits! Once again, I love the neutral color of the bag; tan/brown is a nice color to go for in the summer (black is great all year round, but it’s nice to change things up once in a while). I also think that the woven look is perfect for the warmer months. The buckle detail is such a nice touch as well! It fits everything I need for a typical summer’s day, and it is overall such a nice lightweight bag to bring with you wherever you go! Sadly, this is no longer available from H&M, however you can purchase it from websites such as Mercari or Poshmark. Check it out here and here (and for a pink version, click here).
I decided that I wanted to keep the entire look simple, but also classic and neutral, so for my shoes I went with my taupe block heels from Target. These shoes are so pretty, and they go with so many different outfits! They are also very comfortable to walk in, and I always love a chunky heel! I chose these shoes because I wanted to dress the look up a bit, however a pair of simple white sneakers or a nice pair of sandals would have looked great too! These block heels are $25 and you can purchase them here.
To complete the look, I chose to wear some of my current favorite pieces of jewelry! I’ve recently been layering my necklaces and I absolutely love the look of it! I thought that gold would look best with this outfit, so I chose three necklaces at three different lengths. First, I have my herringbone necklace purchased from Etsy (linked here). I just love the way this necklace looks when it’s on, and I really like the way it lays flat. Next is my coin necklace purchased from Amazon. I could not find this exact one, but I will link a very similar one here! There are so many coin necklaces in different styles, but I really like the simplicity of this one. For the last necklace, I went with a new one! I bought this while away on my most recent vacation. It is a pretty birch leaf necklace. It is the perfect length for layering, and the detail of the leaf is very beautiful.
I also wore a few dainty gold bracelets. The first one is a bar bracelet that I ordered from Etsy. I got it customized with mine and Tom‘s anniversary date to make it special and personal. The other two bracelets are from Amazon! I like the subtle details on these two, and I prefer dainty jewelry over anything too big or chunky. I decided to wear some stackable gold rings (along with the two that I wear every day (not pictured)). And lastly, I put on a pair of gold hoops with little rhinestones on them.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post! This outfit is one that I will be wearing all summer long! Let me know what some of your go-to summer fashion essentials are. Thank you for reading!
Hey everyone! I am now home from my two weeks away! I had an amazing time on my vacation with family, and of course for my first blog post back, I really wanted to share my trip with you all! When it comes to my travel posts, they tend to be a bit lengthy, so I’ll try to go over all of it without going on for too long! All photos in this blog post were taken by me (besides the group photo of my family/photos of me).
We left for the airport on June 7th, and we took a short plane ride to Sioux Falls, South Dakota! When we arrived, we wanted to see all that we could, so we hopped in our rental car and left to see the sights! It was actually very hot for the first week of our trip. There was a heat wave going on, and from what I understood, this is pretty unexpected for the area. We decided to first stop by Falls Park, which was very close to the airport. We walked around for a bit to explore the falls, and then made our way to Mitchell, South Dakota. While driving through, we ended up passing The World’s Only Corn Palace, so we got out to see what was inside. It was built in 1892 and the purpose of its creation was to present the products of the harvest of local farmers. There are murals outside and inside the building made up of corn and other grains which I thought was pretty cool. It is free to go inside the palace, so if you are in Mitchell, SD, it is worth a quick stop!
I will never forget the sunset we saw that first evening. We were driving through what felt like the middle of nowhere (aka prairielands), but it was the most peaceful and beautiful thing. The sunset seemed to last forever; slowly falling below the horizon as time went on. I’ve never seen a sunset like it before! The sky was orange, yellow, and pink, and no picture could do it justice, so trust me when I say that it was incredible. On this entire trip, the sky was so blue, and I’m not used to seeing that daily! Make sure to look up and appreciate the wide blue sky out west! While service may have been a bit spotty throughout this trip, it allowed me to be fully present and to not miss such beautiful natural sights.
The next day we saw Badlands National Park. This stop was truly incredible, and there was so much to see at the park including the many rock formations, canyons, and spires! When traveling to many national parks, you can expect to do quite a bit of driving to different locations and then stepping out to walk around and enjoy the views, which is exactly what we did. Also, we were excited to see the wildlife in this part of the country, which you can spot on your drives through the parks in this area. As the day came to a close, we saw yet another gorgeous sunset! We were really hoping to see the stars that night, but sadly it was a little too cloudy. We still decided to stop by the amphitheater at Badlands to hear more about the stars from two astronomy rangers.
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park
The next day, we were in Rapid City! This was definitely a bit different compared to our previous stops. This looked more like a typical small city, which I really liked! Our first stop of the day was Chapel in the Hills. This chapel is an exact replica of a church in Norway called Borgund Stave Church. The architecture was really unique to anything I had ever seen before! Something about it even reminded me of the architecture you may see in Asian countries such as China. It was a small but beautiful chapel, and I enjoyed being there. We went on a short prayer walk, and then stopped by the gift shop where we picked up a couple souvenirs.
Chapel in the Hills
That same day, we went up to see Deadwood, which was a very fun town! Everything about it definitely looked old western, and walking around there almost felt like we went back in time. We even saw a short performance of an old western gun fight! There is a lot to see and do there, and I highly recommend stopping by! Later that evening, we walked around Rapid City, and concluded our day with dinner and ice cream.
The next day was a very exciting one! We were heading to see the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It’s one of those things that you have to go and see in your lifetime! While we were driving, we could start to see parts of the monument from our car. When we got in, we walked along the Avenue of Flags, and stood right before the monument itself. There are 56 flags total and they represent the 50 states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths of the U.S. I’ve heard a couple people say that seeing it in person was actually quite an emotional experience, and for me personally, I wasn’t very emotional but I was definitely amazed! The fact that people were able to carve such incredible detail into the rocks really fascinated me. While we were there, we were able to learn more about the people who worked on the monument and what their working days looked like. I’m sure it was very dangerous and risky, and hundreds of people worked on it from 1927 to 1941. I actually thought that it was a bit older than it really is!
My family and me at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial
After our time at Mount Rushmore, we went to the Crazy Horse Memorial. I was not aware of this memorial previously, but I recommend visiting, especially if you are around Mount Rushmore or visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Crazy Horse Memorial is still being made, and it has been in the works since 1948! The Black Hills actually belonged to the Sioux Indians and Crazy Horse was a war leader who fought to keep their territory. At the time, the president of the United States agreed to leave this land to the Sioux Indians, however when gold was found on the land, it was taken over. This monument is being made to honor the war leader Crazy Horse and his people. They are making short-term goals and are unsure of when it will be completed. I thought this was really amazing to see, and while I can’t imagine the amount of work and dedication that this has taken and will take, I do know that the end result will be outstanding! We took a short bus tour, where our tour guide explained the meaning behind the monument as well as the history. We then stopped by the Indian Museum of North America as well as the Native American Cultural Center.
The Crazy Horse Memorialin progress
The next few days were spent in Custer, South Dakota! I really liked this area, and I enjoyed walking down the main road with all of the restaurants and shops. For our first day, we went to Custer State Park. One of the highlights of this trip had to be when we got into the park, and just a couple miles in we were stopped by a herd of buffalo! Up until this point on the trip, I don’t believe that we saw any, at least not up close! Obviously it is very important to keep your distance from wild animals, so we all stayed in our car. We watched in awe as they all passed us by; taking videos and getting pictures. They took their time walking in and along the road, and a long line of cars was forming on both sides of the road. Eventually they started running. It was a really great start to our day! On this trip, we saw buffalo, antelope, moose, elk, horses, and even prairie dogs. We also saw a black bear and two cubs from very far away. We ended up doing a hike at the park and we took the Cathedral Spires Trail. I highly recommend this hike if you are visiting the park! It wasn’t an incredibly long trail, but it was a little strenuous in parts. It is worth it in the end (trust me)! After, we went to Sylvan Lake, which is also in the park. We walked around the entire lake, which was stunning! Many people were out on canoes, swimming, and relaxing by the water.
Me at Custer State Park after hiking the Cathedral Spires Trail
The next day, we went to Wind Cave National Park! We were able to take a tour of wind cave, which I thought was really cool! My family and I have taken a couple tours of caves in the past, and I always find it so interesting. We first saw the natural opening of the cave which was pretty small. If you stand in front of it, you’ll feel a blast of cool air hit your face and blow through your hair! We obviously did not and could not go into the cave this way, and we went for the manmade entrance instead. Our group had about 40 people (including us), and we all stayed together while we went about 200 feet below the surface. The cave is more than 500 feet deep (only 5-10% has been discovered). Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, and she was able to tell us about the history of this cave and what it meant to the Native Americans. She also shared stories with us about the young boy who was the first to explore the cave.
Later that day, we took some time to relax at Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa. I had actually never been to a spa before this, so I was really looking forward to it! It was a very quiet place and there really weren’t very many young people besides my siblings and me, but it was very relaxing and enjoyable! It was a beautiful and tranquil place, and we had fun swimming in the natural springs. It was a perfect afternoon after all of the walking we had done on the trip so far!
We had a wonderful time in South Dakota, but the next day, we drove into Wyoming! We decided to stop and see Devils Tower National Monument. I don’t think I had ever seen anything quite like this before! We took the loop trail that surrounds the tower and read about the legends, history and how it was formed. The next town we stopped at was Buffalo! I really liked this town, and thought it was adorable! I liked walking along the streets and we spent some time souvenir shopping and looking at antique stores which I absolutely love to do! We also saw the Occidental Hotel, which apparently has a lot of history behind it. I loved seeing all of the vintage furniture and items from many years ago. We even saw a book complied of many newspapers from the 1920’s! We ended up having lunch at the saloon attached to the hotel.
Devils Tower National Monument
The drive from Buffalo to Cody was just breathtaking! We drove along the scenic route where we saw and drove through snowcapped mountains! If you are traveling from Buffalo and making your way toward Yellowstone, I would say it’s worth it to drive into Ten Sleep and then to Cody. By doing this, you will be able to see more, and the scenic route is beautiful! Ten Sleep is a super small town, and there wasn’t a lot to do there, but it was nice to see. We also saw some Native American Petroglyphs nearby, which was really incredible! To know that these carvings and symbols have been there for many years and the fact that we could still see some so clearly was remarkable!
We eventually made it to Cody, which was another town I really liked visiting! We stayed in an adorable cabin with a few horses outside and a river flowing through the backyard. We fell asleep to the sound of the river, which was the most relaxing thing and it helped me to fall asleep so easily.
The next day we went to see Old Trail Town. This is where cabins from 1879-1901 were brought and reassembled in order to preserve them as well as the artifacts from this time. The cabins were all from different areas in Cody. We walked through some of the cabins and peeked inside others. There are 26 buildings at Old Trail Town as well as a gravesite. Some of the people who were reburied here are Jeremiah “Liver Eatin” Johnston, Jim White “Buffalo Hunter”, Belle Drewry and more. It was very interesting to see these old cabins, and to think about what may have happened inside. Some were homes, some were hiding places, and others were shops and saloons.
Old Trail Town
After this, we finally made it to Yellowstone National Park! Along with seeing Mount Rushmore, this has been something on my bucket list for quite some time! If I am being honest, although I had wanted to come here for so long, I really did not know much about the park. If I knew anything, it was that the park is very big. It is around 3,472 square miles and it all sits on top of a volcanic hot spot! There are so many things to do and see here, which is why I am so grateful that we had multiple days here. I would say that if you are planning a trip to Yellowstone, you should at least stay for three days. There are five entrances to get into the park. On that first day, we went into the park through the east entrance. We stayed in a town called West Yellowstone in Montana, which is apparently the most popular town for Yellowstone visitors. We did a lot of driving in Yellowstome (we pretty much drove through entire park on this trip). I will never forget seeing Yellowstone Lake for the first time. It was our first stop in the park and deservedly so! The water was a gorgeous teal/blue and it almost seemed like an ocean. In the distance, we saw snowcapped mountains which was always incredible to see! We enjoyed this spot, and we talked about possibly booking a boat trip on the lake during our stay. We continued on after this and took a hike on Natural Bridge Trail. I was a little nervous about seeing bears or really any wildlife while we were out hiking. Luckily we did not see anything at this time! It is a flat hike, and it was around 2.5 miles. The end was beautiful with a waterfall and of course, the natural bridge! We then went to see some of the sulphurous pools and hot springs which are very dangerous. If you go, make sure to stay on the boardwalks and to hold on tightly to your belongings. These pools and springs are incredibly hot, and you can burn yourself if you get too close. Some temperatures of the pools can reach up to 456 degrees Fahrenheit! It was so interesting to see the steam rising from these pools. A couple of the things we saw that day include Chruning Caldron and Dragons Mouth Spring.
Natural Bridge in Yellowstone
The next day at Yellowstone, we stopped by Firehole Falls, which was a gorgeous sight! Something about waterfalls are always so majestic. Seeing the sun shine on the water was stunning. We continued the pattern of driving and getting out to see more of the sulphurous pools and springs. On this day, we saw some pools that were a gorgeous intense blue color! Some were more of a lighter sky blue, whereas others were more teal/dark blue. We also saw the Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in the U.S.! This was definitely a favorite stop for me, and I highly recommend seeing it for yourself! The colors were just phenomenal, and even in the steam, we could see the vibrant colors of blue, orange, and yellow. Later on, we made our way to Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s most famous geyser! Many people gathered around to wait for the geyser to erupt. Old Faithful is very predictable, and its eruptions are estimated pretty accurately (it goes off every 35-120 minutes, and lasts for 1 ½- 5 minutes). It can get up to 90-184 feet!
A hot spring in Yellowstone
The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone
Old Faithful erupting
If you’ve never heard of Grand Teton National Park, all I can say is please make plans to visit this wonderful place at least once in your lifetime! Before visiting, I had never heard of it, but I am so grateful that I was able to go! It ended up being a highlight on my trip. You can enter this park through Yellowstone, or by going around it. The views were breathtaking, to say the least! Seeing the mountain range sitting in front of us truly felt like we were looking at a painting, and the photos don’t even seem real! Being here made me wonder about all of the stunning places in the world that I am not aware of. I loved exploring this park, and if you’re going to Yellowstone, you might as well check out Grand Teton too!
Grand Teton National Park (my favorite photo I’ve taken on the trip)
For the last few days of our trip, we were back in Yellowstone to see the other side of the park. This time, we were entering through the north entrance and staying in Gardiner, Montana. This day was a bit more relaxed for us. We went to see a very pretty waterfall and spent some time simply enjoying the view at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (though my mom and I are scared of heights, so we enjoyed it from further back). That evening, we finally went on our boat ride on Yellowstone Lake! I love going on boat rides, and we do this on most of our vacations. Our tour guide took us to different stops where he was able to tell us more about the park and its history.
We saw Mammoth Hot Springs the next day, which is another popular stop. Most of our day was spent around this area. We walked along boardwalks to see the complex of hot springs, and even saw photos of what it looked like years ago. The scenic views were outstanding here as well! For our last day, we decided to go on a hike. We were hoping to do the Fairy Falls Trail, however it was extremely popular and crowded. We ended up choosing the Bunsen Peak Trailhead. This trail was 2.1 miles, and getting up to the summit was a little bit difficult at times (though uphill is always more of a challenge). The view was worth it though, and once we got to the top, we were happy and relieved. We could feel the cool breeze and the sunshine on our skin. For the final time, we were able to soak up the incredible views of Yellowstone before making our way back down and exiting the park.
Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone
That concludes our trip out west! We flew home from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. I am extremely thankful and appreciative that I was able to go on this trip and see more of this beautiful country. There were moments when I forgot that I was still in the U.S. I think at times, we forget that this country is very unique in that there are so many different and special landscapes, mountains, beaches, parks etc. around us. Exploring each state is still on my bucket list, and now I don’t have many more left on my list, which is so cool! I know this post was long, but I hope you enjoyed reading about this very memorable trip! While I enjoyed it very much, I am happy to be home and back to blogging regularly! Thank you again!
Hey everyone! After graduating from college, I have even more time to focus on my blogging, so I am very excited to write more frequently! In today’s post, I am sharing my absolute favorite beauty products! Some are more recent finds, whereas others have been favorites for a while now. Almost every product I am sharing today is perfect for the spring and summer time! They are great for glowy and natural makeup looks, which I have been a big fan of for quite some time. I used to be all about the bold and dramatic makeup looks (liquid eyeliner and all)! Things have definitely changed over the last few years! Trends come and go, but I think you can never go wrong with glowy natural makeup! Each product will be linked as well, so you can purchase anything right from this post!
A full face of my favorite beauty products
Let’s start off with the eyes…
Eyeshadow
This eyeshadow duo has been my absolute favorite for almost a year now! It is the Jules Smith Beauty Power Duo Palette in Wise Guy and Gold Mine. It is a product I received from ipsy, and I completely fell in love with it. The colors are pigmented and beautiful, and both are shimmer shades as well. I thought that this duo was perfect for spring and summer, and I still reach for it so often! The colors go so well together, and I love that you could build up the darker shade, or keep it a bit lighter. They are also very blendable! I had previously never heard of this brand before, but I highly recommend checking out this product!
Mascara
I love trying out new mascaras, however there are a few that I will always come back to. First, my all time favorite: the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. I was blown away when first trying this product! It truly does give me all of the length and volume that I want and need! When applying this mascara, it does not clump my lashes together, and it is also extremely easy to remove! You are left with clean eyes and no black residue. Next up is the L’oréal Telescopic Mascara. I recently tried this for the first time and loved it! I really like the wand of this mascara, and this one does a fantastic job of lengthening my lashes. The same can be said for my other favorite, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Curvitude Mascara. The curved wand makes it so easy to apply, and I love the way it lengthens my lashes. Both of these are perfect for more natural makeup looks, which I tend to go for most often!
Eyeliner
I honestly haven’t been into liquid eyeliners in quite some time. I used to use it with every makeup look, but over the past few years I’ve loved creating makeup looks without it. Instead, I always reach for my go-to eyeliner pencil. This is by the brand Essence and it is called the Longlasting Eye Pencil. It is waterproof and it says that it lasts for at least 18 hours. Although it is waterproof, it is not too hard to remove by the end of the day! I have always loved applying black eyeliner to my waterline and tightline, and this one does the job! It adds a bit of drama to the eyes, even with simple makeup looks.
And now for the face…
Face Primer
I have been trying quite a few new face primers lately and I recently tried a new one thanks to ipsy! My current favorite is the Ciaté London Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer. This product definitely lives up to its name! It smells fruity and delicious, and it feels so very hydrating on the skin! It is a great base for my foundation, and I really love the brand as well.
Foundation
Finding the right foundation that works for you can be a challenge! Everyone’s skin type and tone differs, and I know that for me, I used to struggle to find my perfect match. One day I decided to try the Maybelline Fit Me foundation, and I haven’t turned back. This product has been my go-to for around five years now! I have tried both the matte and poreless and the dewy and smooth, however I prefer the latter. This foundation is not too heavy or too light; it is pretty full coverage, and it lasts throughout the day. I do like to try different foundations, however I feel most confident with this one because I know which shades work for me! If there is ever an important event going on, I like to steer clear of trying new products, especially foundation. I also really like that this one is so affordable! Maybelline has always been a favorite brand of mine!
Blush
As someone with acne prone skin, I used to avoid blush at all costs. I felt that it made my skin look even more red and irritated. However, my skin has been clearing up lately, and for about a year now, I’ve really enjoyed wearing blush again! I love the way that it adds color as well as a beautiful glow to my face. I typically like to stick with light pinks. I have been obsessed with the Lottie London Ombre Blush in Serene. This blush has become a staple in my everyday makeup routine! It is a gorgeous light pink shade, and it does have a tiny bit of shimmer in it, which is great for the warmer months! (I also enjoy wearing matte shades on my cheeks; it just depends on the look I am going for!) This blush is also very easy to blend, though I always recommend applying little by little so you can build it up if you need to! It is perfect for so many makeup looks!
Highlighter
You may have heard of this highlighter before because everyone online has been hyping it up like crazy! It is the Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals. I actually discovered this highlighter a few years ago, and it has remained my all time favorite! The color is a stunning rose gold, and any time I apply this to my cheekbones, it gives me all of the glow I am looking for! It is extremely pigmented, though because of how gorgeous it is, it makes you want to apply more and more! In reality, a couple swipes of this highlighter and you will be blinding everyone who walks past you! There are other shades of the megaglo highlighters, but this is by far my favorite, and I highly encourage you to try it out (you won’t regret it)!
Bronzer
Bronzer is another thing that I used to avoid (partly because I did not know how to apply it correctly). At times, I think bronzer can look a bit muddy, that is until I found this one! My favorite is by the brand Estate Cosmetics and it is the Going Nutty Bronzer in Coco. First of all, it smells heavenly! It reminds me of a warm summer day, and it smells like coconut! I really like the shade as well because it is not too dark or too light for my skin tone, and it adds some warmth to my face. I especially love wearing this in the summer, however it looks great any time of the year! I think that the key to wearing bronzer is to find the right shade for your skin tone, and to apply a little at a time. I use an angled brush to apply this into the hollows right underneath my cheekbones, and I like to bring a little bit up to my forehead as well. I start at my ear and bring it forward and up from there. It’s safe to say that I have changed my mind when it comes to wearing bronzer! Now maybe I can try contouring…
And now for the lips…
Lip Balm
I always like to apply chapstick because it makes it so much easier to apply a lip color on top. It keeps my lips smooth and soft throughout the day. I’ve tried many different chapsticks over the years, however I just found my favorite! It is the Clearly Balanced Days “It’s the (Lip) Balm”. It smells like peppermint and it has CBD in it as well. I have never raved about a lip balm before, but this one is definitely deserving! It keeps my lips smooth for a long period of time, and reapplying does not have to occur so often. While I would prefer a more fruity or sweet scent, I am not complaining when it does such a great job!
Lip Oil
Another new find! Once again, I am a fan of this brand and I had never tried a lip oil until I received this one in an ipsy glam bag! It is the Ciaté London Lychee and Acai Burst Conditioning Lip Oil. What I love so much about this product is that it is like a lip oil and lipgloss in one! Since it is tinted, it is going to look like you are wearing a pink gloss, all while it conditions your lips! This lip oil is not sticky, and it makes my lips so soft! When I wear this, I don’t even have to apply a chapstick underneath! It also has a nice subtle fruity scent to it, which I enjoy!
Lipgloss
My sister recently bought this lipgloss and she ended up giving it to me because she did not like the way it looked on her. This did not give me much hope because we are the same skin tone with the same hair and eye color. Well, I was surprised to find that I absolutely loved it! It is the NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Bit of Honey. This gloss is not sticky at all, and it is the perfect peach/nude shade that goes with literally any makeup look! I normally prefer lipsticks over glosses, but this one has won me over! I’ve always liked the brand, and I already own a few lipglosses by them, but this one is just amazing overall! I highly recommend trying it out for yourself!
Lipstick
I was difficult for me to narrow down my favorite lipsticks because I own quite a few, and I love so many! I decided to share a couple that I tend to wear most often! First, the Adesse All Day Lip Crème in Beverly Blvd. It is somewhat difficult to explain the color of this product. It is a mix of pink, purple, and nude. It works so well for an everyday makeup look, and it is not too bold or too neutral; it is the perfect in between! It is very creamy and easy to apply, and it does not make my lips look dry at all! Next is the Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Naturally Chic. This is a favorite for many reasons! First, I think it is such a gorgeous pink shade! Every time I wear it, it makes me feel so confident and classy. It is not extremely bright, but it does add a nice pop of color to your lips! It also applies smoothly, and it even smells like candy! I change up my lip colors pretty frequently, but these are two favorites!
There are a couple products I did not mention in this post, however I still use them (such as powder or concealer). I just haven’t found one to absolutely rave about!
I really hope that you enjoyed reading about my all time favorite beauty finds! What are some of your go-to beauty products? I’d love to know! Thank you for reading! Check out my Instagram for more: @sacchere14
Hey everyone! I am very excited for today’s blog post! Today I am going to be sharing four different looks that I have created using one bodysuit. I know that some people are not the biggest fans of bodysuits, but I feel that every girl should own at least one!
For each outfit, I decided to wear a simple black bodysuit. Since this piece is one solid color, it makes it a bit easier to style, however, I may change things up in the future! A bright red or patterned bodysuit would be trickier to style, but I’m up for the challenge! 😉 The outfits that I am sharing with you today are very different, yet they are all very much my style. They are perfect for the end of summer as well!
Outfit #1
Without a doubt, this look is my favorite of the four! Something about wearing all black can just make you feel powerful and confident! With the simple black bodysuit, I wore a pair of paperbag shorts with a tie to cinch in my waist. I threw on a wrap coat that I wear very frequently as well. It is made of a very light material, so it can still be worn on warmer days. For accessories, I went with my go-to black block heels, and a pair of cat eye sunglasses to complete the look.
Outfit #2
For this look, I wanted to go for something with a bit of a boho edge. This look is perfect for those cool summer days! To go with the bodysuit, I wore some patterned palazzo pants. These pants are incredibly comfortable and stylish, and I love that they are made of a lighter material. Though the look is stylish, it also feels as if you are walking around in pajamas! As for accessories, I wore my black wide brim fedora, a pair of gold flip flops, and my round 70’s inspired sunglasses!
Outfit #3
This is a look that I would definitely rock during the summertime! I am a big fan of skirts and dresses, so I had to include this outfit! I absolutely love this pleated royal blue mini skirt. It adds a pop of color that I adore as well! The skirt adds such a feminine touch, and this is a look that I like to go for often. For the accessories, I wore the same black heels from the first outfit, and a classic black and white purse.
Outfit #4
This last look is definitely the most casual of them all. It even gives off a bit of a sporty vibe, which I do like to go for sometimes! I paired the bodysuit with my favorite high waisted denim shorts. These are a staple in my wardrobe, and I reach for them all the time! I also added a cream colored cardigan to make the look a bit more fun. Lastly, I decided to wear my Stan Smith sneakers because they would match any outfit, and I love wearing anything white in the summer!
Leave me a comment below and tell me which look is your favorite! Thank you so much for reading!
Hey everyone! Last month, I didn’t have a chance to post about my June glam bag, so for today, I will be sharing what I received in both my June and July Ipsy glam bags!
For the month of June, Ipsy wanted its members to make waves with some new summer beauty! I absolutely love this month’s bag; it is perfect for summer! I am a fan of the pale yellow, and the cute characters make it so fun! I rated my overall bag 4/5 stars!
Inside the glam bag:
Doucce Cosmetics – Freematic Highlighter Mono in Glisten
I love nothing more than a good highlighter, however this particular one was not that amazing in my opinion. While I absolutely love the shade, I simply don’t feel that it is anything to rave about. It took a bit of effort to build it up. I rated this 2/5 stars.
Kensie – Body Lotion Kensie Eau de Parfum
I never care to receive body lotions or butters because I already have quite a few! I was surprised to find that I actually liked this one a lot! I love the scent! I’ll typically apply this to my legs and use the rest for my hands. I rated this 4/5 stars.
Pureheals – Ginseng Berry 80 Overnight Mask
Ever since I received this product, I have been using it every night. I have to say, I haven’t really noticed this product helping or hurting my skin. I just use it as a moisturizer before bed. This mask is meant to refresh and re-energize your skin overnight so that you are glowing in the morning. While it does feel refreshing to apply, and I love the berry scent, I haven’t seen incredible results. I rated this product 3/5 stars.
Manna Kadar Cosmetics – Buildable Blush in Bali Babe
Lately, I have been obsessed with wearing blush! Rosy cheeks have become a go-to look for me, so I was excited to receive this product! This blush is very pigmented, so a little goes a long way. It can be a bit difficult to blend though, so I wouldn’t recommend applying too much anyway! I love the bright pink color because it is perfect for the summer time! I rated this 4/5 stars.
Sugar Cosmetics – Matte As Hell Lip Crayon in Scarlett O’Hara (my pick)
I love having a variety of lip colors to choose from. For the longest time I avoided red lipsticks but I have been the biggest fan for about a year now! I love how bright and bold this color is, and once again, it is perfect for summer (or really any time of year). I love that it is a lip crayon because it makes it easier to apply. I rated this crayon 4/5 stars.
Coloured Raine Cosmetics – Eyeshadow in Glamour
This month, I had enough points to pick an extra product, so I chose this gorgeous eyeshadow. This champagne shade is absolutely stunning, and I love the metallic finish. It is very pigmented, and this color can be used to create a variety of looks. Whether you use it on its own, or you incorporate it into a dramatic look, the end result is sure to be beautiful. I rated this 5/5 stars.
For the month of July, Ipsy wanted its members to enjoy a “staycation” with fresh new beauty products! The design of this bag is not my favorite. While I love the pink color as well as the airplane zipper, the “escape” logo is not the cutest in my opinion. When rating my overall bag, I gave it 3/5 stars.
Inside the glam bag:
Ciaté London – Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer
I have tried a few products by this brand before and I have loved them all! This primer was no exception! This product does exactly what it says it’ll do. It hydrates my skin, and it truly does smell like watermelon candy. The scent is somewhat strong, so if you’re not a fan of fruity scents, this may not be for you. I love that my skin feels so refreshed after applying this primer! I rated this 5/5 stars.
Jules Smith Beauty – Power Duo Palette in Wise Guy and Gold Mine
I always tend to go for golds, browns, and taupes when it comes to eyeshadows, so this duo is perfect for me! The colors are very pigmented, and they are very easily blendable. I applied the lighter color on my lids, and the darker color in my crease and it created the most beautiful look! I rated this duo 5/5 stars.
Murad – Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
I honestly only used this a couple times, but it is probably not something I would have bought on my own. I like that this product didn’t leave a white cast on my skin, and I enjoyed the orange scent. I would have to use this product a bit more to fully be able to rate it.
Thrive Causemetics – Lip Filler Long Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in Devin
My all-time favorite mascara is by Thrive Causemetics, so I was excited to see that another Thrive product came my way. Sadly, I am not into lip liners, so I am probably not going to use this liner too often. I did use it to line and fill in my lips completely, and I really do like the color, however it is better suited for fall rather than summer. I found that it was creamy and easy to apply. I rated this 3/5 stars.
Verb – Curl Cream (my pick)
This is the product I chose to receive this month! I don’t always receive hair products from Ipsy, but when I saw this, I had to try it out! I have naturally curly/wavy hair, so I was hopeful that this would enhance my natural curls. After washing my hair and letting it dry for a bit, I applied this product. I didn’t love the scent, but it is not incredibly overpowering. When I woke up the next day, my hair was a bit softer, but my curls didn’t seem to be too noticeably different. It did enhance them a little, but it wasn’t anything amazing. I rated this 3/5 stars.
Thank you so much for reading today’s blog post! If you are an Ipsy member, leave me a comment and tell me what you have received in your July glam bag! Until next time!
Hey everyone! Today I am sharing my summer 2020 playlist with you all! I am such a big music lover, and I don’t believe that I can get through a day without listening to my favorite artists (there are too many to name). Sadly, my summer is coming to an end very soon, and I am heading into my last year of college! It’s so strange how the beginning of this year felt like an eternity, but as soon as May/June came around, the days have been flying by! We are living through a pretty chaotic year, but I hope that however you’ve spent the past few months, you used some time to take care of yourself. One thing that can always put me in a good mood is my favorite music! Listed below are some songs that I have been playing on repeat all summer long. Once again, my music taste is all over the place; there is so much that I enjoy listening to! Leave me a comment below telling me a few of your current favorite songs!
X – Jonas Brothers, KAROL G
Five More Minutes – Jonas Brothers
Daisies – Katy Perry
End This (L.O.V.E.) – Hailee Steinfeld
Be Kind – Marshmello, Halsey
Bitter – FLETCHER, Kito
Dancing With Your Ghost – Sasha Sloan
Phases – PRETTYMUCH
Bad Girlfriend – Anne-Marie
Looking at Me – Sabrina Carpenter
Myself – Bazzi
Nice To Meet Ya – Niall Horan
All This Love – Robin Schulz, HARLOE
Crazy AF – In Real Life
Ritual – Tiesto, Jonas Blue, Rita Ora
Valentino – Years & Years, MNEK
Nobody – DJ Neptune, Mr Eazi, Joeboy
Cardigan, Heaven or Hell, Euphoria, Wasted – Don Toliver
Party Girl – StaySolidRocky
Honeymoon Fades – Sabrina Carpenter
Don’t Worry Bout Me – Zara Larsson
Secrets – Regard, RAYE
Superstar – Marina
New Light – John Mayer
Souvenir – Selena Gomez
Take Yourself Home – Troye Sivan
Know Your Worth – Khalid, Disclosure
Ready – Alessia Cara
More Hearts Than Mine – Ingrid Andress
listen before i go – Billie Eilish
Only Want You – Rita Ora
We Got Love – Joel Corry Remix – Sigala, Ella Henderson, Joel Corry
Hey everyone! Yesterday was my 21st birthday, and of course, I had to buy an outfit for the occasion! Today, I am sharing an ootd (outfit of the day) with you all.
I have spoken about the brand “Priceless” on my blog recently, and a while back, I bought what I felt was the perfect dress to celebrate my 21st. This is the “Clem Blush Mini Dress” in a size medium. I purchased this dress for $58.92. It was a bit pricey for me, but I decided to buy it since it was for my birthday! Everyone who knows me knows that pink is my favorite color, so I truly couldn’t resist. I absolutely adore the flirty look of this dress. The 3D flower detailing and flowy skirt add such a fun touch. The material is 100% polyester, making it a bit warm for the summer time, however it is not unbearable! I felt pretty comfortable during the day!
As for my shoes, I recently bought these beautiful nude block heels. I had been wanting these shoes for about 2 years now, but I never ended up purchasing them until recently! These are the “Michaela Mid Block Heel Sandal Pumps” in the color “Taupe.” I bought these shoes at Target for $25 in a size 9. I love these shoes because they are so classic and can be worn with (literally) any outfit. The shorter heel makes the shoes more comfortable to walk in as well.
For jewelry, I wanted to keep it simple. I felt that silver matched this look better than gold would have. I wore a silver double layer necklace, and diamond earrings. Although I liked silver with this look, I wear my 2 gold rings every single day, so they completed the look.
I had a beautiful 21st birthday surrounded by friends and family. Every year, we make a reservation for one of my favorite restaurants. The food was, as always, delicious! Afterward, we had cake and I opened a few gifts from loved ones.
I find so much beauty in growth of all forms. I look back at who I was even just a few years ago, and I find that I am completely different. I am ever-changing. I am continuously finding new ways to grow and love myself. I am not as fearful of the future as I used to be. I know that I will face challenges, but I also know that some of the best experiences of my life haven’t happened yet. This thought excites me, and it makes me look forward to the future. Of course, I don’t want to rush my life, but instead, take every day and make the absolute most of it. To show kindness to every single soul that I come in contact with. To inspire others to be their best selves. To be as happy as I can be. To enjoy life’s simple pleasures. And to show love. So much love to the world around me. While I may be turning 21, my heart is as it has always been, and I refuse to let anything change that. I am very proud of the woman I am today. Here’s to 21 years of life!
Hey everyone! I took a little time off from blogging but I am back with more fresh content! I am currently on my way home from a little beach trip (hence, the break from blogging), so I decided to use this time to relax, but also write! For me, writing is so much more than a hobby; I feel that it is my purpose in life, and I have been heavily inspired lately. This inspiration does not only apply to my writing. It is so much deeper than I can explain.
For today, I wanted to chat about some of my favorite summer trends and essentials! Some of these are very much in style for the summer of 2020, and others are just items that I enjoy wearing at this time of year!
Puffed Sleeves
I have to say, I have always loved the look of puffed sleeves. I feel that they give off a very feminine and even vintage vibe. I own a few tops with puffed sleeves, and they have been some of my favorites as of late. This is a popular trend this season, and I recommend trying it out!
Denim shorts
This is a trend that I don’t think will ever disappear. Denim shorts are an essential in my wardrobe, and I believe that most women can say the same! Of course, different styles of denim have taken over, but I love the look of some classic, high waisted denim shorts. I also reach for white denim shorts frequently. I know that denim tends to be pretty expensive, but if you’re on a budget, I have found a few great pairs at H&M for $20 or less in the past!
Panama Hats
I am not sure that this is a 2020 trend specifically, but I have fallen in love with hats! I never thought I’d be a hat person, but here we are! I recently bought a panama hat from Justfab.com, and I have been wearing it pretty much daily on this beach trip! I love the natural color because it matches any outfit. Not only has this hat been covering up my frizzy beach hair, but it is stylish and adds so much to the most basic of outfits!
Flowy Dresses
In the summer time, there is a very good chance that you will see me rocking a dress. I have become such a fan of midi dresses because they are somehow both classy and even a bit sexy at the same time. Truthfully, any length of dress can be worn in the summer; whether that is mini, midi, or maxi. Flowy dresses always look so pretty in the summer time, and these are currently the ones I reach for the most!
Strappy Sandals
In the summer, I like to keep my shoes very simple. This often means opting for flip flops, cute sandals, or block heels; nothing too fancy. Right now, strappy sandals are in style, and I love the look of them! In some ways, they remind me of ballet slippers, making them appear very feminine, which is my favorite style.
Animal Prints
I was never really the kind of person who enjoyed wearing animal prints. I remember wearing cheetah print sometimes as a kid, but I grew out of that phase, and never really looked back. Then, all of a sudden, cheetah print came back in a BIG way. Needless to say, I have bought quite a few cheetah printed clothing items since then! Lately, it seems that snakeskin has been a major trend, and I recently bought the cutest snakeskin romper from Priceless (Check out that ootd here).
Florals
Another trend that I do not believe will die. I absolutely adore anything floral. This trend could really be worn all year round, but of course, it looks best in the spring and summer time! I especially love the look of a vintage floral pattern, but bright colors are always beautiful for summer.
Bright Colors
This season, neon green, orange, and pink are trending, and I am not the least bit surprised. These colors are perfect for summer and they can be worn in clothing, or in bathing suits. Neon colors always look nice on a tan as well!
White
I have always said this, but white will forever be my favorite color on a tan. It actually makes a person appear to be tanner than they really are! It is a color that I go back to so often! (A white dress is the perfect staple piece to add to your wardrobe.)
I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my favorite summer fashion essentials! Be on the lookout for my next blog post (this one will relate to my 21st birthday)!
Hey everyone! Today I am sharing an ootd (outfit of the day) with you all! I am always looking for new places to shop, and I follow many fashion pages on Instagram. A while back, I followed @shoppriceless on Instagram. I would always love the outfits that they posted, but I never bought from them until now!
This is the “Just a Fling Snakeskin Romper” in a size medium. I bought this for $45. I absolutely love rompers because they are stylish and so easy to wear. Snakeskin seems to be a major trend right now, so I knew I needed to own at least one item with a snakeskin print. The outfit seems to be made of a decent quality, however the items on the site may be a little bit overpriced.
To go with the romper, I decided to wear some simple black block heels. If you keep up with my blog, you have probably seen these shoes before. They are my go-to heels! They match everything and I always go back to them. I bought these from Amazon a couple years ago.
I am a gold jewelry kind of girl, so of course, that is what I wore today! I layered on 2 necklaces, a gold coin and a herringbone. I recently bought both of these and I’ve been wearing them all the time. The gold coin was purchased from Amazon, and the herringbone was purchased from DarlingJewelryStudio on Etsy! I am wearing 2 gold bracelets, both are from Amazon. For earrings, I am wearing a pair that used to be my moms. And lastly, I wore my 2 gold rings that I wear everyday!
A few of my jewelry pieces and my shoes are linked here!
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