A Rose & it's 'Thorne'

Happy Friday y'all! :)

In honor of the upcoming season premiere of Revenge, I am sharing with you all my love for the show. If you aren't a Revenge-r, then I highly suggest you think about becoming one! (Season 1 & 2 are on Netflix!) From season one, I have loved the manipulative and twisted plot based on Amanda Clark, now known as Emily Thorne, avenging her fathers death. I love Emily's character, sweet but oh so cunning, and more importantly, I love her style. I can sum it up in just a few words. Classic meets relaxed. I have found that her TV style somewhat reflects her personal style. No matter what, Emily (Emily van Camp in real life) looks effortless and stunning. Here are some street style shots of her that I love, especially the fedora and oversized denim shirt!

Season 3 premieres this Sunday on ABC! I can't even contain my excitement!

Which stars do you love on and off the big screen?

XO, Carrie

Apple Pucker

Sweater// This sweater is perfect to throw on for a chilly afternoon. The elbow patches add an extra "prep-school" touch, but still says casual. 

Scarf// Plaid screams fall. Drape this around your neck with a boyfriend cardigan and cognac riding boots to complete the look.

Doesn't that hot cider make you want to sit by the fire and indulge in piece of pumpkin pie?? :)

Ankle boots// Short boots are all the hype this fall. Paired with your live-in skinny jeans, you can't go wrong.

Polish// Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ by OPI is a popular burgundy shade perfect for autumn. This shade reflects fall activities AND colors. 

Flannel// While you might feel a touch lumberjack-like, this plaid will get you through the fall and winter both. Accessorize with a bold necklace to make the ensemble a bit more girly.

Fall Do's

Yes, its true. Fall is officially here! Pools are closed, bikinis and cut offs are put away, and the crispness in the air has arrived. Which, I am not really complaining about. Cool mornings and a sweet spiced latte on the way to class is what I have been waiting for.  Summer is over, so bring on all the goodness of Autumn! 

As seasons change, I think we all kind of make mental goals or lists of things we want to do. A new season can represent a clean slate and a new approach to things going on in your every day life! Here are the things on my to-do list related to the change of season!

1. Make crockpot applesauce & apple cider

2. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon decorating pumpkins with a few close friends

3. Cozy up on the couch with a good read

4. Watch a few classic Halloween movies

5. Find the perfect pair of black boots 

6. Enjoy a nature walk outside as the leaves are turning

7. Cheer on the Cyclones; Go State! :)

Do you make a fun list of things to do as seasons change? What things are you hoping to accomplish?

XO, Carrie

picture via Honey We're Home

MAC Palette Alternative

Good morning & happy Tuesday! I hope everyones week is off to a great start. Mine has had a nice slow start, which I am not complaining about. This morning, I am enjoying the smell of rain and the cool fresh air seep in the windows while I get things organized for the day. 

Today I thought I would share with you ladies what I consider to be the best alternative to a custom MAC eyeshadow palette. When it comes to putting together your own pans with colors of your choice, you have to be aware its going to cost you some $$$. I really don't understand why...but anything with the word "custom" costs extra. While I am a avid lover of MAC products, I can't get myself to pay $15 for a SINGLE eyeshadow. Nope. Just can't do it. So I have taken it upon myself to find similar quality shadows for a not so pretty penny. This leads me to... *drum roll please* Makeup Geek!! Yes, I did a whole blog post about Marlena and her products a while back. See it here. But today I am giving you to the logistics.

MAC

4 shadows @ $10-15 each = $40-60

(range depends on pan vs. compact)

MAC quad compact = $8

Total: $48-$68 

Makeup Geek

4 shadows @ $5.99 each = $23.96

Elf custom compact (Target) = $1

Total: $24.96

Ladies, this is essentially a 50% savings. Need I say more?

If you are curious about the quality of MUG, there really isn't a better way to find out other than to order a few shadows and see for your self. Or you can read reviews online like I did! :) (There are no MUG stores.)

Below is my custom palette that I have put together. I am loving it!

Top left to right: Peach Smoothie, Creme Brûlée. Bottom left to right: Shimma Shimma, Prom Night

These are all MAC dupes!

Peach Smoothie--> Samoa Silk

Creme Brûlée--> Tete a Tint

Shimma Shimma--> Shroom

Prom Night--> Satin Taupe

Have you tried out MUG yet? If so, what shadows are you loving?

XO, Carrie

Lab & Fab Approved OOTD

If you don't personally know me or haven't followed my blog the last few months, then you might not know that I am at a completely new school for an entirely new career path. But because thats not what this post is about, I won't babble too much. This past summer, I started a new program and couldn't be happier with my choice. However, when it comes to long lectures and 2+ hour labs, things can get a little...'drab'. But to keep from feeling AND looking that way, I make it my goal to arrive at school feeling fresh and happy to start the day. Sometimes this requires a laaaaarge cup of coffee. ;) When it comes to attire, on lab days, due to federal law, students are not allowed to wear shorts or any sort of open toed shoes. Just more rules. So that basically knocks out about 60% of my wardrobe. But over the course of the summer, I have found what works for me. Cute and casual. This outfit below is a great example of what to wear to class when you have to meet requirements for lab. 

Outfit details:

Top- Forever 21

Distressed jeans- AE

Royal blue flats- Gap

Earrings- my tahitian black pearls from a vacation

Nail color- OPI's Wooden Shoes Like to Know (shellac)

Lip color- MAC's Viva Glam V (hard to see it in this picture, but it is a gorgeous 'better than your lips' color, and I have been wearing it every day!)

Not only is this outfit approved for lab and super cute, but its also WAY affordable. (Less than $50!)

I hope you all are having a good week!

XO, Carrie

Guilt Free Snacking

So its the middle of the week and thus far you have done good eating clean and healthy. But sometimes, when it starts getting closer to the weekend, I tend to want to get off track and eat something a little less healthy to fulfill my cravings for a sweet item. With my whole new "clean eating" regime, when I want something sweet, I want to NOT feel bad about it. All it took was one trip to Trader Joe's to find the answer. 

This first combo is what I like to call the adult version of milk and cookies. I personally don't care for real milk to begin with, so almond milk has been my go-to the last 6-8 months. This vanilla unsweetened almond milk is low cal, completely dairy free as well as gluten and lactose free. However, I drink it not because of the taste, but because I still like to get a little calcium and vitamin D in my diet. My new favorite little sweet treat accompaniment are these gluten free ginger snap cookies. And believe me, they have a more powerful kick of ginger than your grandmas ever did! (Ginger is an acquired taste, but I encourage you to try them!) Go ahead, dunk them in your milk! ;)

Secondly, my other FAVORITE treat are these powerberries. I think a lot of TJ shoppers are fans of these, or so I have read, and I completely understand why! These powerberries are real acai, pomegranate, cranberry and blueberry pieces covered in dark chocolate. They are known for being a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. These are oh so satisfying to the tastebuds!

What are your favorite Trader Joe's items? I'm starting to become a more frequent shopper and would love some recommendations! 

XO, Carrie

10 Under $10

Hello lovlies! Today I am bringing you a post I have been meaning to do for a while now. While I love a nice luxurious item from YSL or NARS, being able to score some good quality items for an affordable price is something we ALL love!

Here are my top 10 under $10:

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny
(no shimmer in this bronzer)

Covergirl Clean Oil Control Pressed Powder
in Buff Beige

Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls
in Translucent Pearl
(I use this on the high planes of my face)

Loreal True Match Lumi
in W5 Warm

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio
in Sweet as Candy

Revlon Brow Fantasy
in Dark Blonde

NYX HD Photogenic Concealer
in Beige
(Does an awesome job of smoothing out
pores and color correcting in the under eye area)

Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions
in Carbon Black
(Thanks TiffanyD for the recommendation!)

Almay Intense i-color eyeliner
in purple amethyst (for brown eyes)

NYX Butter Gloss
in Creme Brûlée

These are all AMAZING products from the drugstore and can be purchased for less than $10! (NYX now found at Target!) Some of these products I use weekly and others I use almost every single day.

What are your favorite affordable products?

PS! Did you notice my blog got a face lift?? :)

XO, Carrie

Smart Skin

Happy Monday lovelies! I hope you all have had a great day thus far! Maybe some of you are enjoying a little Monday night football this evening, but as for me, I have my feet up, after a full day of work and class, to do some blogging (since I was off the radar for a while).

Today I want to share with you all the most amazing and smart invention man ever created...besides the iPhone ;) While this may be old news to some, it may be new to others. Not too long ago, Sephora+ Pantone launched a new technology called "Color IQ". And let me tell you...SO COOL! I wish I would have invented this myself. So before you get confused with what I am talking about, here's the skinny:

1. Go to your local Sephora
2. Ask a makeup artist or sales associate about Color IQ and let them know you would like to be matched
3. After removing makeup from a patch of skin without hyper pigmentation (typically on the jawline/neck area), they will take a small camera and take 3 pictures of your skin
4. The computer will then generate a code for you (i.e. 1R08) based on your skin tone from the picture
5. Your makeup artist will then enter the code into the computer, prompting it to give you your best color matches for all foundations Sephora carries

Again, HOW COOL!??

So I went in two weeks about and had this done. I now have the perfect matched makeup, and I couldn't be more pleased. Say goodbye to mismatched foundations...forever! This particular day I took home a sample of the new Clinque Stay Matte foundation and will be purchasing as soon as I use up another foundation.

If you are tired of not knowing what shade to wear or aren't 100% satisfied with an old color matching, this is the perfect thing for you. In fact, I think its perfect for everyone, even those who think they are already wearing their perfect shade. (Could be fun to see if you are correctly matched!)

Want more info on this? See http://www.sephora.com/color-iq

XO, Carrie

image via 

A New Do + Updates!

Hello friends! LONG time, no talk! I apologize for my absence. I thoroughly enjoyed my time off from school and away from the city. The three weeks passed with a fun holiday weekend included, and now school is back in full swing. Needless to say, I have NOT adjusted yet. Last weeks back to class schedule cramped my leisurely style...haha but in the midst of all the lecture and lab madness, I landed a new part time job (thanks to my friend Jordan!!!)  to help break up the school grind. I am now working at a swanky little salon and spa as a receptionist. Only 6 shifts in and I am really liking it! Not to mention, I love having the opportunity to learn about the top hair, skin and beauty products I'll be working around. Other than that, I am just working on getting organized and focused for the upcoming months.

Because I am working at a hair salon, I suddenly have the urge to change up my fringe. In the last week or so, I have been scanning through old photos on my Facebook, looking at my hair. Since I was in high school, minus one dramatic cut and color, I basically have been a long haired blonde my entire life. And right now, I can't help but feel that my hair is looking a little drab. Whats funny is, when I look for pictures online for ideas and inspiration, I think, "Ooh, I like that!" only to realize that my hair is essentially already that color... Blondes have it tough :/ So in two weeks, I have an appointment, and I am starting to get the jitters. I know for sure I want to brighten up the color, but I am also thinking about cutting it...more than a trim. EEK!

Here's what I've been looking at for ideas:

Love this cut and color!

I envy this effortless look

for the cut only of course,
no going brunette for me any time soon...

What do you think? Any suggestions? I am open to them :)

I hope everyone is having a great beginning of September! XO, Carrie