Sunday Favorites

Hey lovelies! Has another week already come and gone? Please slow dooooowwwwwnn, summer!!! This weekend, I enjoyed the company of a couple good friends. We had a great time, and I was sad to have them leave today. I hope you all have had a great weekend as well and get a chance to relax tonight before another week starts. A short week that is! The 4th is on the horizon and I CAN'T WAIT for some fun in the sun. 

Anyway, here are few things I have been loving this week and wanted to share with you all...

via Spoon Fork Bacon

Favorite Treat: How delicious do these grilled fig, hazelnut, & ricotta crostinis look? I've really been loving looking at recipes for unique and fun little snacks! Definitely worth trying.

 

Favorite Activity: This summer, I am all about farmer's markets. Fresh produce, beautiful blooms, food vendors... I love it all.

via A Thoughtful Place

Favorite Decor: My newest obsession in the blog world is the lovely Courtney's blog, A Thoughtful Place. I also am obsessed with this sitting room decor. Fun prints and a lot of texture always jumps out at me. (Maybe you've noticed if you follow me on Pinterest?) And lets be honest, I just really can't wait to decorate a home one day. 

via Barefoot Blonde

Favorite Color: If this color combo doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does. The fuchsia top is actually a maxi dress, which makes me love the outfit even more. (Love the sunnies too!)

Enjoy the short week!

XO, Carrie

Ready, Set, LASH!

Loreal Voluminous Full Definition/ produces full lashes; about $8

Loreal Power Volume Black Smoke/ one word: DRAMA; about $8

Covergirl LashBlast/ volumizing and lengthening; about $6

Covergirl LashPerfection/ lengthening and defining; about $6

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel/ produces volumized, thick lashes; about $30

Since I was about 13, I really have had a knack and love for makeup. It wasn't until high school however, that I discovered the world of beauty and the amazing products that come with it. And because I have been blessed with very long lashes, I never really knew how great mascaras could be! I can honestly say I didn't really use mascara until I was 17 years old. But now, I can honestly say it is probably my favorite beauty product...next to concealers and foundation. Who knew there were so many brushes and formulas to choose from?! Well, after a few years of searching and experimenting, I do! Mascara is key to tying in any makeup look, and even looks great when wearing little to no makeup.

The two Loreal and Covergirl options are by far the best mascaras I have found at the drugstore, however IF you are willing to splurge, I would say go all in for the Chanel le Volume de Chanel. While it does cost a pretty penny, I do think that it has a longer lifespan than other mascaras. When purchased, it has a very wet formula, whereas I like them to be dried up a little, thus making it last longer for people like me! :) 

What are your favorite mascaras? Have you found a favorite that you're willing to splurge for?

XO, Carrie

Wise Owl

Upon starting my blog, I knew up front I was starting from scratch with only the faintest visions and a little inspiration, thus meaning I had a lot to learn (about the community, discovering my style, etc.) I really didn't have much for goals, except that I wanted a hobby to complement my creative side and the ability to share my passions to anyone who was willing to read about them. Little did I know, blogging would teach me so much more than I expected. 

Blogging can be as creative as you make it! This may be the best thing I have grown to love about my blog. I have the ability to create, advise, share, and blabber about anything that I want, whenever I want! It honestly just feels good to sit at my computer and type about products I have tried, fun things I've done, and share tidbits of things that are inspiring me... AND have no deadlines. While I make it a point to post multiple times a week and share whats been going on in my life as well, sometimes it's just not possible with my school schedule. However, I trust that you all are forgiving and will allow me to make up for it with a fun post! :) (Did you see the fun printed clothing items I am loving this summer? See it here!)

Another great thing I have learned is that the blogging community is SO helpful! Over the course of the last 6 months I've been blogging, I have reached out to a handful of my favorite bloggers asking for a few tips as well as just exchanging a few words about our love for blogging. Each and every one of them has been so generous and have made it clear that bloggers help other bloggers. Not only in the aspect of me emailing to make a connection and ask a few questions, but also in the sense that reading other blogs helps us get a better idea of what is pleasing to the eye as well as grasping on to ideas for content, keeping things original to yourself of course! ;)

And finally, this: People are going to have things to say about your blog. That is simply a given. There is nothing you can do to stop people from making a few negative comments (online or in person). Being still VERY new and still experimenting, I am by no means an expert, nor do I claim to be! I blog from my bedroom, usually while watching the Bachelorette (guilty pleasure), taking a break from studying human anatomy. I use the simplest features on Microsoft Powerpoint to make fun spreads of pictures to share. I don't own Photoshop and don't use anything more than a Sony point and shoot camera! Just keeping it real! :) Yes, I might flood your Twitter or Instagram feed, but I don't want anyone to miss the opportunity to read about things I think are worth sharing, if they feel inclined to do so! Which by the way, thank you ALL! Seeing my views go up daily is VERY rewarding!! <3

With all of that said, if any of you have ever considered starting a blog, I highly advise you to do so! Writing about things I love has already opened doors AND my eyes to a whole other world I didn't know about. I still am finding my niche, but am so grateful for everything I have learned so far!

As always, thank you for reading! 

XO, Carrie

Carrie's Choice

Song Bird Blouse// This chiffon blouse with a vintage inspired neck-tie is SO flowy and fun for a sunny day. Paired with your favorite bangles and some cat-eye sunnies, you're ready to go!

Lush Knit Maxi// Maxis are all the hype for any summer occasion! This bloused bodice is so easy to wear. 

Belted Tunic// Tunics: Love, Silk: Double love! This beautiful red motif print top can be easily worn with your favorite skinnys and a classy chain strap shoulder bag. 

Watercolor Shorts// These knit, lightweight shorts are perfect for a summer night out. Polish off your outfit with a tucked in blouse and a fun pair of strappy wedges!

If you haven't caught on, I am really loving fun prints for summer. From subtle to bold, I think prints are so easy to wear and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. :)

What have you been loving this summer? 

XO, Carrie

How I Remove My Makeup: Nighttime Skincare Routine

After a long day hard day in class, the office, or wherever your day took you, sometimes the best feeling after returning home (besides putting your feet up), is taking off your makeup you have had on all day and allowing your skin to breathe. Maybe you love the feeling of being done up all day, but if you are like me, you enjoy removing all the products and allowing your natural beauty to show for a couple hours before bed. 

When it comes time to take off my makeup, I usually follow this routine:

First, I like to wet my face with some warm water. I sometimes will get a washcloth soaked in hot water and begin to take off the top layer of products on my face.

Secondly, I think it's really important to break up your makeup and remove what remains on your face with a cleanser. I have been loving the Proactiv Renewal Cleanser (Step 1). This face wash has just the right amount of exfoliates in it to get my face feeling squeaky clean.

This is about the amount that I like to use. A little goes a long way in my opinion. Also, because it is very exfoliating, you want to make sure you don't use too much OR scrub too hard, so you don't damage your skin!

After I have towel dried my face, I probably still have some remaining eye makeup and mascara around my eyes, causing me to look like a raccoon. ;) To clean that up, I like to use the Almay eye makeup remover pads (oil-free work best). They are the perfect size and shape to remove product from that area.

Then, I like to finish with a toner or astringent to get any additional product and impurities off my face. Lately, I have been using the Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Toner. I put the liquid onto a cotton pad and apply it all over my face and neck. (While toners like this DO contain alcohol, which can be drying, I like it because I have oily skin.)

If I am feeling SUPER lazy, and don't want to go through that routine before bed, sometimes I will just take a Say Yes to Grapefruit exfoliating makeup wipe to remove the majority of my makeup, and still feel comfortable enough to go to sleep. 

While this is how I typically remove my makeup before bed, this IS NOT exclusively my entire skincare routine. A few months back, I purchased some skincare products from Michael Todd True Organics (get 20% off your purchase with the code "save20"), and have found myself using those products in the morning and in the shower. Look for a detailed post on that soon! :)

How do you remove your make up? Do you have any 'secret weapons' you'd like to share? Also, what are your thoughts on organic skincare?

XO, Carrie

To Wash or Not to Wash....?

Alright ladies, I have a confession. I don't wash my hair every day....and sometimes I don't even wash it every other day. If I can make THIRD day hair work, I am absolutely going to do it! How do I do it you ask? My current life saver has been dry shampoo. It might be one of the best things created, beauty wise! ;) In the last year, I have gone through many, many bottles and have tried oodles of brand. Having oily skin and hair is really something that takes time, effort, and $$$ to learn how to manage. But once you find the right products, you really learn how worth it it is, even if a few of the products are a little on the pricer side. With all of that said, finally I think I have found the perfect dry shampoo for me! *cue dorky happy dance*

Now presenting....

Batiste Dry Shampoo

This stuff is AMAZING!! I have never tried a dry shampoo that actually makes my hair feel like I washed it that day. Other brands I have tried have a great scent, and absorb a little bit of the oil, but by the end of the day, my hair feels gross, and they don't do nearly as good of a job as Batiste. I will disclaim that this particular 'Original' scent gives off a white cast that many people may not like. With blonde hair, it isn't hard to rub and shake in to the roots. But, I do know that they make a dry shampoo for brunets that has a touch of color in it. They have 4 or 5 other scents as well. Another thing I will add is that the full size bottles of Batiste are $7.99, which in the realm of hair products is pretty cheap, but other dry shampoos from the drug store are typically $3-4. But I promise, if you try this out, you will be able to justify paying a few extra dollars. You can purchase this at Ulta. 

If you have tried Batiste, what scents do you like? I'm looking to try another!

XO, Carrie

Catch Up with Carrie

Hey friends! So it's been an entire week since I have blogged last. Don't think I have forgot about you all. Sometimes it gets easy to get caught up in our every day lives. While I thought of some things I could have shared with you, I thought I would save them for when I could write about them to the full extend, rather than submit a "rough draft". Last week was filled with so many different activities! So today, I thought I would catch you all up with what has been going on with me. 

Tomorrow, I start my summer classes. I am enrolled in 8 credits and will be in class all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the middle of August. And because the summer weather has been non-existent, I'm actually pretty excited about filling up some of my free time, spending it in the classroom and lab. If you read my first Friday's Food for Thought, I shared my mixed feelings on my new school and career plan. However, I have started to overcome those 'fears' and really just want to dive in head first and work hard the next couple years. I often think about what else I would rather be doing at this point in my life, and I really do just see my self as a student. I want nothing more than to be educated and land myself a great job when I am all done. So I guess I owe it to myself to work hard and achieve that, because I can honestly say that I would REALLY regret it if I ever quit. 

OFFICIAL!!!

Last week I purchased a 2 day detox from Arden's Garden. They basically send you 2 gallons of a pre made drink for $40. I chose the detox because not only does it have good reviews, but it is considerably cheaper than any other juice cleanse or detox that I have seen. The cleanse is made of grapefruit juice, orange juice, and lemon juice. While it doesn't necessarily make you lose weight, the citric acid claims to do a great job of riding your body of toxins and other 'junk'. Essentially it flushes out your system and helps you feel good again. Rejuvenating your body is a great way to start a healthier style of eating...and living! I have not done it yet, but plan to this weekend! (I will be sure to share all my thoughts afterwards.)

Last Friday, I met up with my aunt who lives here in town. We went out for lunch, and then did a little shopping afterward. One of our stops was at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Going in, I didn't have anything in mind that I wanted to purchase. While looking around, I came across a neat cosmetic storage container. I previously wanted to purchase 3 acrylic drawers from The Container Store, but couldn't justify the $18 shipping. (WHY!??!) If you saw my post on my makeup organization a few months back, I loved the way things were set up. It just made sense. But now that I have moved into a new apartment, I don't have the same setup as my old place and things have become a little complicated because of it. So now, I have decided to turn my desk into a vanity, hence the reason I wanted drawers to stack. But now that I have found one new container, and have made use of part of the trolley I had, I think I have the perfect set up....for now. ;) What do you think? Any suggestions? (I am still looking for the perfect lamp or lighting and a chair.)

Shelves (2 stacked): Target; Mirror: Target;
Mini mannequin; Hobby Lobby; Candle: Anthropolgie

Top insert from my original make up organizer

Desk supplies organizer: Target

The container I purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond: $12.99

Saturday morning was a fun one! My brother and I got up early and hit up the Farmers Market  downtown. Over 300 vendors are set up displaying and selling their fresh produce, bakery items, flowers, and handmade goodies. Naturally, my brother hit up the mini donut stand (fair foods are hard to pass up) and I sipped on a fresh squeezed lemonade. Because it was my first time, I didn't go with a grocery list. Next time, I plan to have a few recipes picked out that will require some of the fresh produce I can get there. But don't think I came home empty handed! There was no way I could leave without a bouquet of beautiful fresh flowers. Peonies are in season, and they smell amazing, so I knew I wanted a batch with a few of them included.

Lastly, if you follow me on Twitter (@CarrieBerschman), you may have seen me make a funny tweet about training my hair to a middle part. Over the last two weeks, I have been experimenting with the new look, and really have been liking it. What do you think?

I hope now that you all feel caught up with the little peek into what I've been busy with the last week! 

As always, thank you all for reading! 

XO, Carrie

Goodbye Dark Circles!

MAC: Macy's // MAC: Macy's // MAYBELLINE: Target // BOBBI BROWN: Nordstrom // COVERGIRL: Target

Even on days that I am just hanging around the house or running a few errands, I still like to wear a little concealer under my eyes to keep things looking fresh and bright. Whether you have the dreaded dark circles from a late night studying or a fun night out with the girls, we all need a little something to not let our tiredness show. With a lot of recent experimenting, I have really grown to love under eye products, as they really can change the look of our awake-ness. I personally like to CORRECT and then CONCEAL. On days I look extra tired, I like to add a pink-toned brightener. Correctors are typically yellow-toned and when applied, will help neutralize the darkness. A skin toned concealer over top is necessary to blend in and better match your under eye to the rest of your face. 

MAC Prolongwear Concealer- I use shade NC20. NC shades have yellow undertones, which is the opposite of my NW shade foundation. This stuff is great. Its long wearing, full coverage, and a little goes a long way. 

MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter- I use Radiant Rose. This pink toned highlighter is great for layering over your normal concealer when you want a little more of a brightened look. It can also be worn alone for a natural and glowing look, as it is a sheerer product.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser- This does the same trick as the Prep+Prime, with a bit creamier formula. Great drug store alternative!

Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit- This duo is everything that you need! It comes with the pale yellow corrector and your choice shade of concealer. The formula is thick but doesn't settle into fine lines, which is a big plus. 

Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector- This yellow toned corrector is high end quality. When applied directly under the eye and in the inner corner, your dark circles are neutralized  and will stay that way all day. 

***When using under eye correctors and concealers, it is important to remember that less is more. Over using and caking on the products will age you very quickly. To blend all of these products in, I use either my ring finger or the Sigma F86. 

What are your favorite products for the under eye area? Do you have any tricks to share?

XO, Carrie

May Favorites

Hey friends! I hope you all have enjoyed this past month just as much as I have. Over the course of May, I have made a lot of changes, and I still plan on more change coming my way! To me, change is, more times that not, a good thing. Whether it be a change in school or a job, or a change in your daily makeup routine, I like to think that the change will benefit you in a some way. So today, I thought it would be fun to share with you the products (and a few extras) that I have added in or changed in my daily routine the last 3-4 weeks. So let's jump right in!

details: Josie Maran Argan lip treatment;
Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil
Faux Sea Urchin from Target

Over the past few years, from family members to beauty gurus, I have heard amazing things about Josie Maran's line of Argan Oil products. While I know the organic oil is coined to be an amazing product for the entire body, I couldn't fathom rubbing oil on my face and neck having such oily skin the way it is. But I stand corrected. The 100% Argan oil is amazing. It has no scent and is SO nourishing. I have been using it on my split ends, on rough patches of my elbows, and on my face before bed. Accompaning that, I have been lathering up my lips with the lip treatment before bed as well! What a great combo! I recommend checking out her line if you haven't done so already. 

Revlon eyelash curler

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny

Love, love, LOVE this bronzer. For about $3 from the drugstore, this bronzer is what your makeup bag needs. Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but I can't get enough of this. Why do I love it so? It is matte. Yes, matte. There is no shimmer and it's the perfect build-able shade!

Maybelline Masterprecise pen eyeliner

Victoria's Secret Deep-Softening Body Butter
in Pure Seduction

Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Naked
Came with Naked2 Palette

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque
(makes for a great eyeshadow base but looks beautiful on its own as well)

We are finally starting to see some sun here in Iowa. I've really been enjoying laying by the pool, reading a good book and wearing my fun new shades from Francesca's. These Kate Spade dupes were $14. Got to love that!

My latest read is Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close. I've gotten many laughs out of this book so far. 

Sandals: Guess
Polish: Royal Navy by Butter London

A little R&R. Whats not to love?

I've been loving this quote. I saved it as a my wallpaper on my phone just as a little reminder that fear can't hold us back and that we will figure our "things" out along the way. :)

I hope you all enjoy your month of June, wherever it takes you.

As always, thank you for reading!

XO, Carrie