Matchmaker, Matchmaker

{ Smashbox O-Gloss : Dior Addict Lip Glow : Tarte Skintuitive Lip Tint : Sephora Color Reveal Lip Balm : Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker }

We've all been there. Dazed and confused in the lipstick section, not sure what shade we are looking for and unsure of what would look good on us. Well, thanks to...chemistry I suppose, we now can let our lip gloss do the color choosing for us. 

Many brands have introduced lip glosses that responds to your skins natural PH and energy levels, thus creating a personal tint that is unique to each individual. Most of the products also will allow you to bump up the intensity by adding an extra swipe or two. 

Emily Maynard recently featured these particular glosses on her blog as well (read it here), which is where I first heard about them. I then saw a friend of mine had purchased the Dior Addict Lip Glow, and I knew I had to get my hands on one too. However, when I saw the $31 price tag, I decided to hunt around a little more and found the $12 version made by Sephora. I am already loving it. 

Have you tried any of these 'custom kiss' lip products?

XO, Carrie

My Current Beauty Shopping List

If you ladies are like me, you probably have a running list of things you would like to purchase going at all times. Your cart on Sephora.com probably has $300 worth of stuff in it, and you are always looking for a good excuse to browse around Ulta for an hour. Yes, I am very, very guilty. Over time, a handful of the things get purchased simply because I can't stand not having it any longer, but other things remain on the list, and I just have to dream about having them. Haha, ok, so I'm really not that hopeless and desperate for new beauty items, but I do have a love for trying out new products and like to try as many as possible! For some reason lately, my want list for beauty products seems to have grown a mile long. Eek! But regardless, I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the things that are on my endless list. 

FACE:

Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation

Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light

EYES:

Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara

MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Kalahari

LIPS:

NEW! Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked (like Native too!)

Dior Addict Lip Glow

Bite Luminous Creme Lipstick in Fig

For this list, I chose my top three wish list items from each "category". 

What things are you lusting after right now?? :)

XO, Carrie

The Realness of Concealness

A while back, I wrote a whole post about my favorite concealers, but those were products I use for under the eye to correct and brighten dark circles. However, there is whole other market for concealers that diminish and camouflage blemishes. I've found an amazing one...

My new and current favorite is the MAC Studio Finish concealer. It comes in a small pot, which can easily be stored in your makeup bag or pocket book. What I love about this concealer is the coverage! When you rub the product between your fingertips, it feels a bit thick, but when applied to skin, it doesn't feel heavy. It gives your blemishes or old acne marks the coverage they need. I recommend you get this concealer in the shade of your foundation, rather than a lighter shade like you would with under eye concealers (I used shade NW25). I apply the Studio Finish with a Sigma F70 Concealer brush, for the best possible application, AFTER applying my foundation. Why? To me it makes more sense to put concealer on top of your foundation rather than applying your foundation on top of it, dragging the concealer away from the blemish you applied it to. It will save you the waste of product AND time! Finally, remember to set it all with your favorite powder to ensure that it all stays put ALL DAY! :)

What is your holy grail concealer for blemishes?

XO, Carrie

Monochrome OOTD

This outfit/picture is actually from a couple weeks ago. I meant to share it sooner, but somehow it managed to get lost in my photo album and out of my mind. The reason why I wanted to include in on the blog it is because I am a big sucker for black and white...and all other neutrals. But what's great about monochrome colored outfits like this is that while it is neutral, it doesn't look drab. In fact, it has a classic spark to it! At least I like to think so. 

Details

Top: Violet & Claire via TJ Maxx

Shorts: Spacegirls via Buckle

Shoes: Sam Edelman for American Eagle (last summer)

Earrings: Forever 21

Watch: Fossil

Nail polish: Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI

Phone case: J. Crew

Next time you put on a monochrome top, try pairing it will a coordinating neutral, rather than a pop of color. You just may be surprised with how styled it looks!

XO, Carrie

Introducing: Charlie Ford Vintage

If there is someone I envy, it's Jillian Harris. She is aw-worthy. (Have you seen her Instagram??) Incredibly beautiful, tastefully fashionable, brilliantly crafty, and NOW a vintage 'picker'...so to speak. Jillian is truly staying true to her motto and "doing it all". As of recent, Jillian Harris, former star of The Bachelor & The Bachelorette, as well as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Love it or List it: Vancouver, is sharing with us her vintage and unique finds via Charlie Ford Vintage. Charlie Ford Vintage was launched with the inspiration of her zeal for design and love for antiques. All items are hand-selected for CFV by Harris herself, as well as her two partners Tori Wesszer and Alyssa Dennis, both life-long lovers of home decor and antiquing. 

Three stunning brunettes

The site offers one-of-a-kind items from home furniture to jewelry, found all around America and Canada. Where did this inspiration come from you might ask? Well, as we know, Harris is all about interior design and while she loves helping people complete their homes, she can't help someone in Denver when she found the piece in Vancouver. Thus, she created a website where she can sell the items she's found from antique dealers and vendors. What makes this site unique is that Harris essentially is going to be personal shopping for her customers. Eventually, she will be taking requests for items people are specifically looking for. CFV wants to be a place where people like you and me can buy antiques that we want. See Charlie Ford Vintage for all the hype!

Here are a few of their picks I wouldn't mind having...

Industrial wire basket; $60

Hammered copper bowl; $265

Equestrian horse trophy; $25

Antique rocking chair; $290

Have you checked out Charlie Ford Vintage yet?

XO, Carrie

If the Shoe Fits...

While I really am a simple girl when it comes to shoes, it's always nice to vamp up my selection now and then. In the summer, I live in my Sanuk flip flops (here), my Guess gold strapped sandals (want these), a pair of Sperry's (my fave) and sometimes the occasional wedge to polish off my look. However, I've been on the hunt for a pair of summer shoes that are completely versatile and can be worn with any look. And now I have found the perfect pair.

I found these Steve Madden babies at Dillards. When I saw them,  I was attracted to the classic Mary Jane style but loved that they were spiced up with the color-blocking of the cognac across the toe and the snake skin at the ankle.  The zipper detail in the back also makes them a bit 'tougher', which I love! The heel measures at about 2 inches high, making them very easy to walk in. 

Now, whats great about these heels is that they literally can go with just about any outfit you might wear this summer. Pair them with your favorite skinnies and a tucked in, flowy blouse for lunch with a friend. Wear these with a soft shift dress and a chunky necklace to a wedding. These would also look great with your favorite J. Crew chino shorts (my go-to's, if you didn't know) and a lacy top to a concert at the winery. The list goes on! Remember, because of the shade of brown AND the gray in the snake skin, these shoes can and will be worn with black and brown! :) 

Have your found the perfect versatile shoe for you?

XO, Carrie

My Weekend Finds

Another beautiful week of summer has come and gone. I feel like that line keeps popping up! Slow down summer! This weekend has been one of my very first weekends that I have stayed home and done things here in Des Moines. Most weekends I end up at our lake house a couple hours away and spend my time on the water. Because I stuck around here, I decided to go to the mall for a couple hours. Here are the goodies I picked up!

I've been looking to add a few new pieces to my jewelry collection for a while now, and finally found a few pieces that I love! This bracelet reminds me a lot of the Stella & Dot one (here) that is being worn by a lot of celebrities and bloggers. 

Necklace, bracelet, and midi ring set all from Francesca's

A close up of the shell-like detail from the necklace

My midi rings in action

After many stops in Sephora, I finally broke down and bought this little duo. While I had been wanting the NARS duo, All About Eve, I just really couldn't justify paying $34 for two eyeshadows I know I could find in other palettes I already own. But when I saw this Bare Minerals duo for almost half the price with very similar shades, I decided to go ahead and pick it up. The reason I wanted a duo with these specific shades, rather than carrying two big palettes with these colors in them, is because it makes it much easier for traveling and on the go AND these are my go to shades these days. I now have my eye on a couple of the Bare Mineral quads (in The Truth & A Happy Place). 

Bare Minerals eyeshadow duo in Top Shelf

A better look at the gorgeous shades

Scored these Festival Shorties from AE for $20! Loving the fringe!

What jewelry pieces are essential in your collection?

XO, Carrie

What's Hot? Makeup Geek & Marlena

Happy Thursday! For me, it's my 'Friday', and I couldn't be more relieved. This week of class was a heavy load, and I am ready for a relaxing weekend with not a single plan made. Today I want to share with you my new love for the brand, image, website, education... you name it of Makeup Geek. What is Makeup Geek you ask? Well, let me do the honor of explaining it to you. Makeup Geek is a website that is designed for you to "Embrace your cosmetic addiction." The lovely Marlena, founder of MUG, has put together not only a place to talk beauty, but to teach AND sell as well. Marlena likes to consider herself a 'Makeup Educator' and strives to help women feel beautiful. I too, believe that makeup is a magical thing that helps embrace our individual unique beauty. For all the scoop, be sure to check out www.makeupgeek.com.

via

Do you remember me mentioning above that MUG is also a place where beauty products are sold? Marlena has developed some of the most amazing makeup products, and they are available online for you to purchase for a very affordable price. What she thrives off of is selling quality products without having to pay an arm and a leg. At MUG, you can purchase your highly pigmented, MAC quality pan filled eyeshadows for $5.99 ($9 cheaper than MAC!) I recently purchased 4 eyeshadows to put into a quad and they are nothing shy of amazing. 

Holy pigmentation, right??!

I picked up the shades Creme Brule, Cocoa Bear, Cinderella, and Shimma Shimma. I now have my eyes on Twilight and Last Dance (shown above). 

Have you tried any products from Makeup Geek? 

XO, Carrie

A Silver Statement

As of late, I've really been loving small, dainty, silver rings that still make a bit of a statement. What's great about these little rings is that they can be worn everyday and never be taken off, yet still make your look a little more polished. I've been on the hunt for one that I can wear on my middle finger. I've chosen some of my favorites to share with you. The rings above are from various price ranges, making it easier to find one that suits you best! :)

  Stella & Dot // Pandora // Tiffany & Co. 

What pieces do you love to make a subtle, yet noticeable statement?

XO, Carrie

Flawless Foundation Favorites

Today I am bringing you what I think is the most absolute, flawless foundation and application method. For those of you that have been following me for a while now, you will know that the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ foundation is kinda my HG (holy grail) foundation since I am very oily, and it is very matte. However, in the summer, I think it is okay to look a little more dewey and natural. I really love the Loreal True Match Lumi, but it can be a little hard to work with a times because it is "luminous". So I set out to find the perfect foundation that I could wear on days I want to look more flawless, than matte. Hopefully that makes sense. Little did I know, the foundation I'd been looking for was right in front of me. While I was in San Francisco last March, I took home a very generous sample of the Dior Forever Flawless foundation. I fell in love. But what I didn't fall in love with was the price tag. Time passed and I forgot about the amazing foundation I had once tried. Upon cleaning a couple weeks back, I found the sample container, used the foundation that day, and had a light bulb moment that this was the foundation I had been searching for. Ok, so maybe this is a little dramatic sounding... BUT I promise you, this stuff is like gold...or cocaine...how ever you want to look at it ;) I find it funny that I had set out to find a "flawless" foundation and flawless is in the product name of this one. That must mean it's meant to be. Can you pick up that I'm obsessed...? Good. 

Now, on to the application. I almost always use my Sigma F80 flat top kabuki brush for foundation. It's the best brush I've found, and I love it for the Dior as well. However, a few months back, I picked up an original Beauty Blender. Let me tell you, these two go together like peanut butter and jelly. No joke. The formula of the "flawless" foundation combined with a damp applicator creates the most beautiful, almost airbrushed look. The best thing about both of these products is that while the Beauty Blender applies a very sheer amount, the foundation is build-able to your desired coverage.

If you have been looking for the perfect natural foundation, I would recommend you this! And yes, I realize Dior is a little on the pricer side, but if you get color matched and find the perfect shade for yourself, you will be pleased to see that this product will last you a very long time. The bottle is 1.0 fl oz, contains SPF 25 and has a pump, which is always nice! 

(I am shade 032 Rosy Beige (warm medium beige/ for medium complexions with pink undertones) in the DiorSkin Forever Flawless foundation.)

Do you have a secret application method for getting a flawless look?

XO, Carrie

What I'm Reading + Bloglovin'

image via Stephanie Sterjovski

Once again, a week has gone by since my last post. Because of the holiday falling in the middle of the week, I decided to take a good portion of the week off, away from school and "real life" and spend it at our lake home. I had SO much fun with friends and family and was sad to head back home. But now that it is Sunday, I am recuperating from all the sun I got, and I finally have time to put my feet up and chat with all of you!

In the last couple of weeks, I've had several friends ask me which blogs I read and how I find out about them. So I thought today's post would be a great chance to give you a list of my "daily reads" and how I keep track of remembering them all. 

First and foremost, if you are a blog reader like myself, the app (or website) Bloglovin' is a must! I simply downloaded the app on my iPhone, searched for the blogs I love, and in a snap of a finger, they are saved to your list and new posts show up for you to read when they're available! How easy is that? 

Besides my beloved TiffanyD, whom I found on YouTube, I have discovered the rest of these blogs either from other fellow bloggers or on Instagram.

Moving on, these are the blogs and websites I follow and love...

MakeupByTiffanyD

Freutcake

Honey We're Home

*A Thoughtful Place

*Stephanie Sterjovski

Pearls and Lace

Beautygirl24

Lilly's Style

The Everygirl

Hey Gorgeous

Style Me Pretty

Perfectly Coutured

Possessionista

Lauren Conrad

Emily Maynard

* indicates my newest obsessions ;)

Alright, so this list is pretty long. But I truly do follow all of them and ready them weekly! So I encourage you to click on each of them and check them out. They just might turn out to be your favorite as well. Each and every blog I have come across and thrown into my mental favorites list is so unique in its own way and delivers its own purpose. However, I do have a trending theme in the blogs I love...think fashion, beauty, design & lifestyle. 

The world of blogs and bloggers continues to grow and I love making new discoveries! What are your favorite blogs to follow? I'd love to know!

XO, Carrie