Summer Bucket List

With Memorial Day weekend already past us, summer is well on its way (weather cooperating or not). And while technically Summer doesn't officially start until June 21st, its engrained to be considered summer while I am not in school full time. As seasons change, it's fun to make a list of things I would like to do and accomplish. So before summer gets too far out of our hands, I thought it was only appropriate to share my little "bucket list" for the summer while the weather is nice. 

1. Get plenty of pool time & the perfect tan. Ok, ok, I know this isn't the best thing to put on a bucket list, but quite honestly, the last few summers I have really neglected my summer glow. This summer, I am feeling more apt to getting a nice even tan due to the fact that my new apartment complex has a great pool and sun deck. This is where you will find me when the sun is shining! 

2. Be a bookworm. If you have followed me on my blog since day one, you know one of my very first posts was a list of nearly fifty books that I wanted to read this year as part of my New Year's resolutions. But, I am going to be honest and tell you I have kind of completely failed at that one. After a few books, I got busy and just wasn't as excited about reading. And the list made me feel forced to read, rather than being able to read for leisure. But since I will be posted up pool side a lot this summer, I brought out the list and plan to tackle a more reasonable amount of books in the upcoming summer months. 

3. Host a get-together. Being the social person that I am, I love having company and congregating with my closets friends. Now that I am nearly settled in to my new place, I am going to make it a point to invite over a handful of my closest friends for tasty drinks and grilling one evening. Summer should be celebrated, right? :)

4. Find the perfect floppy hat. This is kind of another silly bucket list item, but it is something I want to "accomplish". I can remember my mom wearing big floppy hats with wide brims when we would go to parades or to the lake in the summer growing up and used to think they were SO embarrassing. Little does she know, I now want one of my own! ;) I think they are very fashionable with a darling coverup as well as a great way to protect your scalp and face from harsh sun rays on HOT days!

via Nordstom
Cheaper alternatives here and here

5. Enjoy a few media-free weekends. Last but not least, I thought it would be fun to really relax and enjoy my planned weekend getaways without my phone glued to my face. I'll admit, I am a big media junkie, but I also appreciate time with my friends and family and plan to take more advantage of it this summer. 

What summer things are you wanting to try and accomplish? 

XO, Carrie

NOTD: OPI You're Such a Budapest

The only thing I can say about this is....LOVE! I am obsessed with this gorgeous hot periwinkle nail color. From the Euro Centrale collection by OPI, this color has been highly sought after! I'd been to a couple places, only to find it sold out. But when I stopped in to Ulta early last week, I saw they had restocked the entire collection. Rightfully so, I had to pick up this shade. Two coats and my Out the Door topcoat did the trick. Not to mention, I have been growing out my nails and had filed them very square (which i love). So as far as I am concerned, this beautiful soft, blue-purple shade will live on my nails this summer! 

What polishes are your go-to faves for the summer? I always love a good recommendation! :) 

Happy Memorial Day weekend friends! Have fun & be safe! 

XO, Carrie 

Wishful Wednesday

Another week of summer vacation is half over, and the list of activities I have planned for the next few weeks will scoot the time along quicker than I would like it to! The last few days I have been unpacking and settling into my new apartment, which by the way, I LOVE! Being in a new city excites me. The exploring to be done and the new people to meet are just a few of the reasons why I am filled with joy! 

Outside of all the moving madness, I have still had a few things on the back of my mind. And when I say "things", I mean a few little items that have recently caught my attention and that I would like to purchase. ;)

One. Wen Cleansing Conditioner
Have you heard of this revolutionary hair care product? I remember seeing it on a info-mercial several years back, but never took too much interest in it. However, now I have heard several people rave that this 'all-in-one' product is leaving their hair stronger and healthier than ever before. If so, I must try!
$30; Wen Hair Care

Two. St. Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse
While many of us might have a love-hate relationship with self tanners, all the hype now focuses on self tanning mousses, rather than streaky lotions. St. Tropez is a very popular alternative to this mouuse, but St. Moriz costs a fraction of the price! I've made this purchase on Amazon as well as the mitt. My tanned legs can be found at my pool this summer. 
$8; Amazon

Three. Beauty Blender
After having purchased a few cheapies that are dupes of this infamous sponge, I have only been left disappointed. I think its time to purchase the real Beauty Blender. 
$19.99; Cherry Culture (<--- A great site for drugstore brand cosmetics that might not always be carried at your local store!)

Four. Urban Decay Naked Basics
If you don't already know, I really enjoy the UD eyeshadow palettes, not only because the formulas are great, but because of the versatility. When the Basics palette came out, I thought it was very blah. But after seeing a few gals on YT use it, it seems to have grown on me. I'd consider it to be the perfect palette for everyday use. 
$27; Sephora

Five. Ocean Salt Shower Scrub
If you don't know Lush, it's time you did! Lush is a brand that sells all handmade and vegan (mostly) cosmetics. They carry fun bubble bars and hand soaps with delicious scents that leave your mouth watering. I've tried a handful of products, but have never tried a shower scrub. This ocean salt version claims to exfoliate and leave a healthy glow! Sounds perfect for the summer months. 
$21.95; Lush 



I find it very fun to try new products when seasons change, and these products all scream summer. What things are you wishing for this summer?

XO, Carrie

Sweat-Proof Spring & Summer Makeup

Seriously, there's nothing worse than looking in the mirror halfway through a beautiful, warm day and realizing you've sweat off 90% of your makeup. With the heat of spring and summer on the horizon, I thought I'd get a head start and share with you all some tips on how to maintain a sweat-proof look this for the warm weather seasons.  

***Yes, I realize if it 100° outside with humidity, your makeup isn't going to stay perfect, but these tips will help!!

1. Use primers. Just like painting your kitchen walls with a base coat, sometimes our face needs it as well. Primers are designed to help keep your makeup in place. Many primers also have the technology to reduce the size and appearance of pores, which we all want, right? I would recommend the Loreal Magic Perfecting Base. You can find this at the drugstore and it costs a fraction of other leading primers! 

(I'd also love to try the Benefit POREfessional. I've heard tons of great things about how well this primer works. If you've tried it, let me know what you think!)

2. Use a matte finish foundation. After a primer, the best thing you can do is apply a matte foundation in your desired coverage. Although we all love to have a little natural glowy look, your skin will do that on its own in the heat. A matte foundation will reduce the chances of looking too glowy. ;) You've heard me rave about it before, and I will say it again, the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ foundation is amazing! It is my number one recommendation. 

(A great drugstore alternative would be the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation.)

3. Use a setting powder. Whether you have oily skin or not, you are probably going to get shiny throughout the warm day. After you apply your foundation, set it with a powder (specifically the t-zone area). I like to use the MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural! 

(A cheaper alternative is the Stay Matte by Rimmel. You can pick this up at the drug store for about $3.)

4. Use cream blushes. While I am new to the idea of cream blush, I think it couldn't be more perfect for beating the summer heat. The cream blush formula will "adhear" better to your skin and won't run like powder can tend to do. Maybelline Dream Bouncy in Candy Coral (a recommendation from TiffanyD) is the only one I have. (Best to apply with a synthetic haired brush.)

 (Loreal Invisible Lift is another option, as well as NARS The Multiple.) 

5. Use a waterproof mascara. Some people love it. Some people hate it. And when it comes to hate, I think it comes from the struggle to remove the mascara. That's where you need a good makeup remover. Which you should already be using ;) Waterproof mascara won't melt off your lashes and definitely won't run. Most of your favorite mascaras probably have a waterproof version! Go check it out! 

Bonus tip: Wear sunscreen underneath all of that, as well as on the rest of your body! 

I hope you find these tips helpful in the upcoming warm months!

XO, Carrie

Derng Deals

Grey Tortoise Necklace, $16 ~ Ella Earrings, $15 ~ Audrey Necklace, $18 ~ The Stone Bracelet, $10 ~ Rose Gold Pave Chain Link Bracelet, $18

Do you love statement pieces? If you answered yes to that question, then you best know about Derng! Derng is an online shop that sells a large variety of trendy (and some classic) jewelry. From chunky necklaces to sparkly pave chain link bracelets, they have something in store for you that you're certain to love. Not to mention, you will also love the prices. Because trendy jewelry is all the hype right now, its best to save rather than splurge on these items. I recently purchased the Audrey necklace and have my eye on several other pieces to purchase soon. Will you be shopping with me? :)

Happy Sunday everyone!

XO, Carrie

Friday's Food for Thought

Hello friends! I trust you all have had a great week and are equally looking forward to a great weekend. This Friday, as I sit and drink a cup of coffee and look out to the window to see a gloomy sky and drizzle, I am reflecting back on what I wrote about in last Friday's post. I shared my mixed thoughts on what I have lined up for this summer and and following school year, as well as the things I think about daily that I would love to make some sort of career out of. This week, I have really been thinking a lot and doing some inner soul searching, you might say, to really think about what it is that I want most out of this crazy thing called life. To get my gears going, Tuesday morning I started the day off with a nice long walk by myself to clear my head and enjoy the weather. When I returned home, I felt refreshed and decided to sit down and work on my "plan" for the future. What I mean by a plan is, writing down the ideas I have in my head related to how I can turn what makes me happy into a career that I love. Because I have just a brainstorm list done, I won't be spilling any beans just yet. But, I feel better just knowing I am moving in a good direction and have ideas in my head. So thats the current update.

With all that 'blabbering' said, I feel its only appropriate to share with you all some things I LOVE! :) 

Fabulous taste & presentation. 

Growing blooms admired on a recent nature walk.

Traveling. This shot was taken when I visited SF in March.

This one is a given. I love all things beauty. Sephora is the culprit.

Home decor, obviously! :)

This amazing DIY blog

My friends & family who mean the most.

There are many many more things I could list, but these by far are ones worth sharing! So, what things make you guys happy? I'd love for you to share them with me! And as always, thanks for reading! I hope that you all have a fab weekend and get a chance to do something that you LOVE! :)

XO, Carrie

Beauty + More Haul!

Hello friends! I hope you are all enjoying the bright and sunny weather! Today, after moving a few more items in to my new apartment, I decided to stop at a few places and pick up a few things. Mainly, I was on the hunt for some new makeup brushes to get me by until I order some new Sigma brushes. Why do I need need ones you ask? Well, long story short, my boyfriend's roommates dog decided my makeup bag was a bag of treats. Let just say I WAS NOT happy. Still am maddened thinking about it...........!!!!!! But before I get angry, I will go ahead and show you the goodies I picked up!  

Top: Real Techniques blush brush

Bottom: Real Techniques expert face brush 

Both from Ulta for an affordable price! :)

Top: Real Techniques setting brush (for setting concealer)

Bottom: NYX Lipliner Pencil in Rose 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

in Transparent 001

I havent even really been too intriqued by BB creams,

but when I stopped in Sephora today, I had my mind set on trying

one out. I purchased this Urban Decay Beauty Balm with SPF 20. 

I tried a small bit on my hand and LOVED the way it smoothed out the fine lines!

Top: NYX Blush in Rose Garden

Bottom: NYX Blush in Pinched

I've been wanted to try these blushes for quite some time.

They are very pigmented and got them BOGO 1/2 off at Ulta!

Left: NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel 

Right: NYX Butter Gloss in Merengue

Picked up a few more colors because I am LOVING the Creme Brûlée shade!

Left: OPI You're Such a Budapest

Right: China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy

I've been lusting after both these hot shades for summer 

so I decided to finally purchase them!

I got this Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in

Radiance as a 100 point perk from Sephora. I usually just save my points

until I see a product I really would like to try and would consider buying the full size. 

Picked up this adorable little keychain from J. Crew.

Got this sample of the MUFE HD Invisible Cover foundation.

I was color matched and got shade #45. I know TiffanyD has been loving this! I think

its a great switch up for summer since it is a medium coverage foundation, but 

leaves you with a great natural finish.

And of course, I picked up a pair of the J. Crew chino shorts. They are my go-to shorts,

and have been for a while now. This picture makes it hard to tell, 

but these are navy with a 3" inseam. 

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone is having a great week so far!

XO, Carrie

OOTD: Graduation

It's that time of year again. School is out for the summer and our textbooks can be put to rest. But for some, they will never be needed again. May is often a bittersweet time of the year. High school and college memories are still vivid in our head, but life will simply never be that way again. Graduation is a fun and exciting, and maybe even scary time of a young persons life! Some students are handed their Bachelor's Degree diploma with a job already lined up, while others still haven't the slightest clue where they want to continue their path. Either way, families come together to celebrate the hard work of their loved ones. This was my family this weekend. Celebrating the hard work and dedication of my older brother.

Aside of his GREAT accomplishments, I figured I would share a few photos and outfit details from yesterday's festivities! (All affordable & stylish items!!) 

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: R2

Watch: Fossil

Phone case: J. Crew 

Nail polish: Loreal Tangerine Crush (new favorite) 

TJ Maxx Haul

Hey friends, today I thought I would share with you a little haul! A couple months back, my town got a nice, big, new TJ Maxx. While I had gone shortly after the store opened, I found that their selection wasn't too great yet, as they were still getting organized and unloading all of their shipments. So the other day, I finally decided to stop in there again. And oh. my. gosh. I now have a love affair. While I used to always have hit or miss experiences with TJ Maxx, the other day was definitely a hit! I walked out with a stack of new blouses and my mind thinking about the other purchases I could have made.

Here are the pieces I picked up... :)

A soft knit, black and white elbow-length top
Green Envelope brand, Size M

White sleeveless blouse with from overlap detail
Violet & Clare brand, Size M

Pink v-neck tee with yellow emblem
Ralph Lauren Sport, Size M

Gray knit tank with embroidered hamsa design
HIP brand, Size M

Mint, sleeveless, sheer button down tank with
lace shoulders and neck, and studded pockets
Mine brand, Size M

*Wasn't exactly quite sure how to photograph these tops.

Thanks for reading! I hope you go check out your TJ Maxx and find some great deals too! If so, let me know what you find! :)

XO, Carrie

Friday's Food for Thought

Hello friends! I hope everyone has enjoyed this beautiful spring week (here anyway) and made it through finals or whatever challenged you in the past few days! Give yourself a pat on the back, or treat yourself to a coffee! ;) 

With the weather being gorgeous and another year of school under my belt, I have really had more on my mind than I should! Now that summer is at my doorstep, and I honestly have NO responsibilities for an entire month, I should be overwhelmed with joy. But I seem to not be able to get my mind off a few things. As many of you know, I am transferring to a new school to start a completely new path and basically a new chapter in my life. While I am so grateful and feel so blessed to be in the position that I am, I can't help but have a few mixed emotions. The other night, a close friend was really "prying" into me and asking me if this new school and career plan is what I really want. And while I know if I strive to work hard, it could be something amazing and open me to a world of opportunities in the medical field, I still have a strong gut feeling that it might not be my passion and my dream job.

When I wake up the morning, I find myself thinking about what I am going to wear, how I am going to do my makeup, what crafts and DIY projects I can make, what stores I could go check out for decorating tips, what blogs and magazines I can read to spark some creativity, how I can be innovative AND successful, and also how I can be a better blogger. Basically, I have a lot of creative energy bottled up and NEED to use it to be happy, I think. I have now been blogging for about 4 months and I am loving it! I have nearly 3,000 views and love when people I know ask me about it. While I am still very new to the game, I am trying to find my niche and am figuring out how to make my blog original. And because I love it so much, I (for maybe the first time ever) feel inspired to work hard and create my own empire via my blog and its contents. (To make things clear, I want to use blogging as my creative outlet and have it be a large part of my life,  and NOT to become well known in the blogging community.) So with all of that said, the next step is for me to figure out HOW I can get to that place of finding my niche. I'm not quite sure what exactly that step will entail, but I will be sure to keep you posted on this new journey of mine. I'm sure there will be many stops along the way! I am not expecting anything to be easy, and honestly, I think things might get tougher before they get easier, but I am excited for what lies ahead. 

On a totally different note, I thought I would share some fun birthday details. On Tuesday of this week, I celebrated my birthday! Even though one of my final exams fell on my big day, I refused to let that ruin my day. All I wanted for my birthday was the sun to shine, and I got exactly that! :) My friends and family spoiled me with lunch and dinner dates, cards, warm phone calls, baskets of goodies and even a few beautiful vases of flowers. Needless to say, I am very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and was really feeling the love on my special day. But because my birthday fell early in the week, my significant other wasn't able to celebrate with me until the next day. Wednesday afternoon we traveled to Kansas City where we enjoyed a VERY nice dinner at the lovely little restaurant, Room 39. It was by far one of the best meals I have had, beating out even the top notch dining we experienced in San Francisco this past March. Over all, it was a great birthday and couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out!

Thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope this helps you get to know a little bit more about me, and I will try to keep more "personal" posts coming!

XO, Carrie 

Here are few pictures to share from my birthday festivities! :)