Mackenzie Billington

Lavender Velvet

December 12, 2016 by Mackenzie

Happy Sunday! Lavender is one of my all time favorite colors, especially to wear. I recently cleaned out my makeup collection, only to re-fall in love with one of my favorite lipglosses, ‘Pink Steam‘ by Marc Jacobs (that my fantastic sister gifted to me last year for Christmas!). I decided I wanted to wear it this week and was elated to realized it matched perfectly with my new lavender velvet skirt that I recently ordered. Lavender is a color that I typically associate with spring time, but I adore the thought of breaking it out in the winter time for a soft, feminine ensemble. lavender skirt

lavender skirt

black turtleneck (under $30) | velvet skirt | black tights | black booties (linked similar)

When I stumbled upon this affordable velvet skater skirt a few weeks ago online, I knew I needed it for winter. I purchased mine in a petite 2, and I would definitely say it runs very true to size (though I wish I would have went down a size- petite sizes can be tricky). This gorgeous skirt also comes in several colors including a festive red. I am definitely planning on ordering another color, and my sister is planning to pick up one as well! If you are looking for the perfect velvet skirt, look no further.

I decided to pair the skirt with a solid black Nordstrom turtleneck top, black tights, and my favorite black Prada booties. I think this look would also look stunning with a black fur jacket or statement necklace for a night out! I can’t wait to rock this skirt all season.

xoxo,

Mackenzie

Tee Time

December 8, 2016 by Mackenzie

tee time

Hola & happy Thursday (just had to double check what day it was, nbd). During Thanksgiving break, I had a fun little photoshoot on the golf course in one of my new favorite dresses. I totally got distracted in sharing these photos (Finals week, I’m lookin at you), but I really liked the different background. Shooting at golden hour always just adds something extra special to any OOTD photoshoot. It’s especially great for winter days where there isn’t a whole lot of sunshine and colorful flora to work with.

tee time

printed dress (size XS) | black tights | black OTK boots (linked similar) | navy choker (on sale!)

This dress is definitely more ‘tea time’ appropriate than ‘tee time’, but hey, why not? Though I would probably not wear this outfit for a round of golf, I do have to admit I’ve been wearing the heck out of this dress this past month. I actually own it in two different patterns now, and I like that’s kind of a ‘no brainer’ dress than I can throw on & go. I find the dress to be very flattering and surprisingly versatile for winter. I paired it with black tights, black over the knee boots, and a velvet choker necklace for church and dinner with my family. However, I think it would look awesome with a black leather jacket + tall booties for a night out or with a black fur coat/vest on a super chilly day. I really like the way the navy velvet choker paired with the dress (though my mom originally asked me if I was wearing a turtleneck under my dress?). I think it adds a really different, on-trend vibe.

So I officially finished my second to last semester of college (ahh!!), and I can’t wait to head home this weekend to see my fam. On Wednesday, we will be heading off to Dubai, so let me know if you have any movie/tv show/music recommendations for the mega long flight! I hope you’re having a fantastic week (and staying warm!).

xoxo,

Mackenzie

Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette Review

December 5, 2016 by Mackenzie

eyeshadow

Anastasia Beverly Hills ‘Modern Renaissance’ Palette

A few weeks ago, I made the realization that I hadn’t couldn’t remember the last time I purchased a new eyeshadow palette for myself. The thought never really crossed my mind all summer as I opted for a ‘no makeup’ look pretty much the entire course of May, June, July and August. Every winter, I find myself reaching for the glitter, false lashes, and, of course, vampy lip shades. On a quest to find a new eyeshadow palette for winter, I watched what felt like hundred a Youtube videos to get some recommendations. The number one most raved about palette was definitely the Anastasia Beverly Hills ‘Modern Renaissance’ palette. I figured most of the reviews on YouTube were biased, sponsored reviews, so I headed to the Sephora website to see what other opinions I could find about the palette. The reviews were stellar and the palette was currently number one on the ‘most popular’ products on the site. My mind was made up. I headed to my local Ulta, only to discover it was completely sold out! Luckily I was able to get my hands on the palette at Sephora. After showing this palette on my snapchat, I had several of y’all reach out and request a review. I have lots of thoughts about this palette, so I hope that you can find my opinions helpful if you are considering this eyeshadow palette.

ABH palette

I have now been trying out the ‘Modern Renaissance’ palette for a week or two now, and even in that short amount of time, I can honestly say that I am obsessed. What drew me in was the beautiful variety of warm shades. I love how there are a ton of everyday neutrals, but there are also a handful of fun colors that are still incredibly wearable & on trend. I also find that this eyeshadow palette looks beautiful on all eye colors and all skin tones. The Modern Renaissance palette has definitely re-sparked my love for makeup, and it’s really encouraged me to be a little creative. I can’t imagine myself getting bored of this palette, and I am constantly discovering new color combinations. It has shades like tempera and golden ochre that are perfect for a daily basis. However, with shades like venetian red and love letter, you can totally make some really unique, glam looks for night. Lately I’ve been loving how the berry tones compliment my favorite single eyeshadow, ‘Solstice’ by Urban Decay, perfectly.

Here are a few of my favorite shadow combos with this palette:

golden ochre in the crease + primavera on the lid

burnt orange in the crease + antique bronze in the outer corner + tempera on brow bone

realgar in the crease + primavera in the center of the lid

venetian red all of the lid + Urban Decay ‘Solstice’ in the center

[ps: If you want to see some amazing swatches of these shadows, definitely check out Temptalia’s post!]

ABH palette

This is definitely a palette I would repurchase in the future. My sister, who does not wear a lot of makeup on a weekly basis, was stealing this palette from me almost daily last week. It looked gorgeous with her green eyes. However, I also feel like it compliments my blue eyes very nicely as well! The shadows are very pigmented, smooth, and easy to apply and blend. This was my first time trying any Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadows (I usually opt for Urban Decay or Too Faced), but I have to admit I am a huge fan now. I would definitely consider purchasing another ABH palette in the future! An additional thing I really like about this ABH palette is the brush that comes in the palette. In the past, I have hated every single brush that was included in an eyeshadow palette. Most of the time, they tend to be cheap and unusable. However, I actually really love the brush that comes with the palette, and I’ve been using it every single time! Though I absolutely love this palette, there are a few cons for me. One con is definitely the price. This palette retails at $42, which isn’t awful, but it is on the pricy side. Another con is the packaging. Though the palette packaging is a beautiful pale pink and quite sturdy, it does get incredibly dirty due to the material on the front of the palette. I have had mine for less than two full weeks, and it already is getting dirty. Lastly, another con is that this palette kicks up a little dust. I heard this mentioned on several Youtube reviews, and now that I own the palette myself, I can definitely agree with that. This personally doesn’t bother me much and isn’t a ‘deal breaker’ by any means, but it is something to note!

Pros: great variety of shades with everyday neutrals and wearable pops of color, very on trend, flattering for every eye color, great pigmentation, easy to blend, not limited edition

Cons: packaging gets very dirty, on the pricy side, shadows kick up a little dust

In summary, I love this palette! I think it would make a great Christmas gift to a friend, sister, mom, or yourself (treat yo self). This is a palette I would 100% recommend, especially if you are looking for a unique palette that has a variety of versatile nudes and wearable pops of color. It’s by far my favorite makeup purchase this semester!

If you’ve tried the Modern Renaissance palette, let me know what you thought about it. Also, let me know your favorite eyeshadow palettes at the moment! I hope you are having a fantastic week.

xoxo,

Mackenzie

Thanksgiving

November 26, 2016 by Mackenzie

“G I V E T H A N K S T O T H E LORD, F O R H E I S G O O D”

Psalm 107:1

thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday now that I think about it. It’s such an incredible day to spend time with your loved ones and to be reminded of how blessed we truly are (even in times where we seem to be focused on the bad instead of the good). I know that I take a lot of things for granted at times, and one of my upcoming New Year’s resolutions is to spend every single day like it’s Thanksgiving. Being thankful is something that can be incredibly difficult during hard moments of our lives, but counting our blessings can remind us how fortunate we really are. Lately I’ve been taking the time to count my blessings, even the tiniest ones, every single night before I go to bed.

Something I am especially thankful for this year is baby Lili, my third cousin and the newest addition to our family. She is absolutely precious, and I am so glad that we got to celebrate her first Thanksgiving with her. Lili is beautiful , and she is definitely a big blessing.

I wanted to share some photos from my Thanksgiving. I took almost 700 photos yesterday, so I did my best to narrow it down to my twenty or so (which wasn’t easy, especially because baby Lili is crazy photogenic). Thanksgiving this year was one of the best I think our family has ever had. With the gorgeous weather, we celebrated outside and enjoyed the lovely day together.

thanksgiving

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thanksgiving

For those that have been asking about my camera/photography, I am a huge fan of Canon. But for me what makes the most prominent difference is shooting manual and understanding light! Getting the perfect shot is a lot about manipulating/learning about your camera settings, finding the perfect lighting, embracing creativity, and being in the right place at the right time. Find what inspires you. I’ve also been getting a lot of questions lately about my editing, and my best advice is to find a unique style that works for you & practice every single day. Practice makes perfect, and I learn new things daily. Over the past few months, I have fallen in love with shooting photos of the wonderful people and places around me. It’s such a blessing to be able to capture so many beautiful moments of my life and the lives of my friends and family.

I have been shooting family portraits pretty much every single day this week. Though I am booked for the rest of the Thanksgiving break, I do have some availabilities in December/January if you are looking for affordable portraits (whether it be family, senior, engagement, etc.)! Don’t hesitate to shoot me an email 🙂 I’d love to work with you!

thanksgiving

lili

thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2016 was definitely one for the books. So thankful for my wonderful family and friends. Thankful for the ups of life and the downs that help us grow and prosper. Thankful for my health, for the places I have traveled to, for the friendships that have carried me through my worst moments, for the family that loves me unconditionally, and for Jesus’ love. Additionally, I am so thankful for each and every one of you and all the support I have received over the past few years. I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxo,

Mackenzie

Optoma NuForce Bluetooth Wireless Earphones Review

November 11, 2016 by Mackenzie

Happy Friday! I recently found out that I’ll be heading off to Dubai & India in just a few weeks for winter break! While I absolutely love traveling and seeing the world, I can’t deny that ten hours plane flights aren’t very fun. During my time on long flights, I love to watch movies and listen to music since I struggle with sleeping on planes. When Optoma reached out to me about sending me a pair of their NuForce BE6i Wireless Bluetooth earphones, I figured now would be the perfect time to test them out and see if they would be something I could take on my upcoming trip. After trying them out for the past fews day, I can confidently say that these earphones will be the perfect must-haves for my upcoming trip.

When I am not traveling, I pretty much live in the Library on my college campus. It can be really helpful to play music while you’re cramming for exams and finals [I personally love to listen to study music/alpha waves]. In the past, I have always just used the earphones that came with my iPhone. While they were sufficient, I always got annoyed with the fact that they were always in a tangled mess at the bottom of my backpack.

I really like that these NuForce BE6i earphones are wireless. So cheers to no more tangled cords (score!). They are also Bluetooth, and I found it VERY easy to synch them up with my phone in less than a minute. The Bluetooth capabilities are fantastic, and I found that I could still hear my music if I walked downstairs in my house without my phone. I’ve been dying to get my hands on the iPhone 7 (mostly because of the amazing camera/lens, let’s be real). When I upgrade at some point over the next year, I know these earphones will be perfect because the iPhone 7 does not come with a headphone jack. So for those with the iPhone 7, these earphones are a great pick if you are looking for wireless ones.

Now let’s talk about the sound, the important thing here. I really love listening to music, whether I am on camous, relaxing in my room, or on the go. For me, sound is important when it comes to earphones. During my first use of these earphones, I noticed a huge, huge difference in the quality of the sound compared to my Apple earphones. Another thing I enjoyed about these earphones is the fact that they come in different size silicon ear tips. In the past, I have always been frustrated with earbuds being too big to fit in my ears. So for these, I use the smallest size silicon ear tips, and they fit perfectly! So that is a small perk that makes a huge difference for me.

These earphones also come with a nice carrying case, which is something I really like. It’s very sturdy, so it keeps the earphones protected when you’re on the go. I also like that there’s a little key ring on the side, so you can clip them to the inside of your purse or onto your backpack for accessibility.

Because these earphones are Bluetooth, they have to be charged, which is kind of a downside for me. However, the charge does last eight hours, which is impressive, in my opinion. I also like that I can easily charge them plugged into my laptop. The charging cord is a perfect length and is easy to store in the case

Overall summary of the Optoma NuForce Bluetooth Wireless earphones:

I honestly have been really enjoying these earphones (a lot more than I expected, to be completely honest). They are very comfortable, durable, sleek and convenient. I find them to be incredibly high quality, and I also really like the sound that they produce. These earphones really fit my needs and lifestyle, so for me, they are a great thing to have for both school and travel. I know that I will definitely be getting a ton of use out of these, and I can’t wait to use them on my upcoming trip!

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PROS:

Fantastic sound quality
Very comfortable to wear/very lightweight
Wireless
Fantastic bluetooth capabilities- great range (98+ feet), easy to connect
Battery life (8 hours)
Nice carrying case
Includes different sizes of silicon earphone tips
Sleek design/I really enjoy the rose gold detailing
Overall, very high quality
Earphones are magnetic, so they connect to each other for easy storage

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CONS:

They have to be charged
Not the best for working out. I tried to run in these & found them slipping out of my ear a little. However, NuForce does make Bluetooth Wireless earphones that are more targeted for working out (the NuForce BE Sport3). My pair is specifically for more ‘lifestyle’ use, so these may not be the best fit if you are searching for earphones to use when working out.
A little on the pricy side ($129). Though still more affordable than other wireless earphones on the market.

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I hope you guys enjoyed this review! If you are looking for a great new pair of wireless earphones, I would highly recommend the NuForce BE6i Wireless Bluetooth earphones. I have been loving them lately!

xoxo,

Mackenzie

* Thank you Optoma for sending me these amazing wireless earphones to test out! Though I was sent this product for free to test out, all opinions are 100% my own*

Blame it all on my Roots

November 7, 2016 by Mackenzie

white slip dress (linked similar) | fringe jacket | cowboy boots

Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in my boots. Almost four whole years ago, I received these gorgeous cowboy boots as a graduation present. Living in the South, cowboy boots are such an essential piece to any wardrobe. From country concerts to gamedays, cowboy boots can be such a versatile, and durable shoe that is perfect year round. These boots specifically are from ‘Old Gringo’, my very favorite cowboy boots brand. I love how unique and different these boots are. They look perfect paired with any solid, neutral dress and simple accessories. To give the look a more western feel, I added my favorite fringe jacket as well (which is so soft and warm). I can’t wait to wear fringe and boots all season!

xoxo,

Mackenzie

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October Favorites

October 31, 2016 by Mackenzie

Hello, hello & HAPPY HALLOWEEN! So over the past month (which may I add went by so, so quickly), I have received tons of positive feedback on my ‘September Favorites’ post! A lot of y’all really loved the casual chat style, so I decided to share my October favorites from this past month now that October is coming to an end. October was definitely a great month for me. I got to spend a lot of time with my family and friends & met some new friends along the way.

Without farther ado, here are my October faves:

S T A R R Y E Y E D

[star wrap choker]

My mom bought me this amazing star-embellished choker this past month, and I love it (and wore it in my last ootd blog post). What I love about it is that it’s very unique, but because it is neutral, it goes with everything & is very flattering. I think it’s a great pick for somebody that is looking to get into chokers, but doesn’t want anything too basic or anything too harsh/dramatic. I know I will be wearing this one all season!

october favortites | www.mackenziekendall.com

C A C T U S B L O S S O M

[bath & body works cactus blossom candle]

When I went home to Dallas last weekend, my mom had this Bath & Body Works candle burning in my room & I immediately fell in love. It isn’t a fall scent by any means, but it has such an incredible scent with notes of cactus flower petal, coconut, vanilla, and lemon. It’s the perfect combination of cozy, bright, and clean that I personally think works year round. After my plane landed in Memphis last Monday, I went straight to the Bath & Body Works store and purchased this candle to have in my room in Oxford. I had several friends come over last week, and every single one mentioned how amazing my room smelled-all thanks to this amazing candle! Next time you go into Bath & Body Works, definitely check this one out.

O V E R T H E M O O N

[Urban Decay ‘Moondust’ shadows]

If you have been following me for a while (or follow me on snapchat @ mackenzieken), you know the Urban Decay Moondust shadows are my favorite things on the face of the planet, and I have been collecting them for a while. My current faves (from left to right on dry hand swatch) are ‘moonspoon’, ‘space cowboy’, and ‘zodiac’. I have especially been wearing the heck out of my moondust shadows this month. I picked up ‘moonspoon’ last week, and I have been obsessed with it. It’s a gorgeous grey with silver sparkles that I think looks amazing all over the lid. I would definitely recommend applying them wet over a base (the NYX jumbo pencils & the liquid Maybelline color tattoos are my favorite products to use under these shadows). I personally love these moondust shadows for night time, concerts, and special events. If you are torn and want to get just one color- you can’t go wrong with Solstice or Zodiac. Both are SO unique, but still wearable. I definitely have the ‘moondust palette’ on my wishlist this holiday season!

L A C E M E U P

[lace up hoodie]

Over the past few months, I have actually been on the hunt for the ‘perfect hoodie’, but I am just so picky. When I stumbled upon this one on Revolve, I was excited to actually find the perfect hoodie, but I was beyond depressed to see that it was sold out (boo). Luckily, I found it on another site in burgundy, AND on sale. Score. I love the lace up detail, but I also love the fit of this hoodie. It has cool slits on the side and is longer in the back, making it perfect to throw on with leggings and converse. I definitely would love to get this hoodie in another color because I seriously love it!

B A C K T O T H E F U T U R E

[MILK holographic highlighter]

I looked at this holographic highlighter for weeks- reading tons of reviews and watching more YouTube videos than I can count. I eventually gave in and ordered it from Urban Outfitters, and boy, do I love this gem. I love highlighters a ton, and I am constantly buying new ones. This holographic highlighter from MILK is so unique and different from anything I have in my collection. It looks a little weird, but on the face, it has such an amazing effect. It is also great to layer with powder highlighters (specifically the Anastasia Beverly Hills ‘moon child’ highlighter palette). My roomies and sister have all tried out my MILK holographic highlighter, and it looked stunning on all them as well. Even though Halloween is today, I think this highlighter could work year round. I can’t wait to wear it for all of next month as well!

Honorable mentions:

song of the month: Lovesick (feat. Felix Snow) by Caroline Pennell

album of the month: Mothership by Dance Gavin Dance (see my photo with the lead clean singer here)

starbucks drink: strawberry acai refresher

photography/photo editing: tone curves on lightroom

book: ‘Pendulum: How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future’

tv show: mad men

I hope you enjoyed this little post. Have a great and safe Halloween! Let me know what you are being for Halloween & what your October faves were.

xoxo,

Mackenzie

Back to Basics

October 28, 2016 by Mackenzie

Hey friends! It’s finally Friday (yasss)! I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve done an OOTD [outfit of the day] post. I absolutely love doing OOTDs, but they can be challenging to do during the busy school year. I wanted to share one of my recent OOTDs from this past weekend in Dallas!

Do you ever have those days where you feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear? I definitely do. When I have those days that I struggle finding something to wear, I go back to basics. Everybody needs those basic essentials in their closet that go with just about anything and can be thrown on when you’re in a bit of a hurry to get ready. For a day of shopping with my mom, I paired my favorite white vneck with a pair of black distressed AG jeans. These AG jeans are the ‘stilt crop’, and I think they are especially perfect for petite girls (yay for no alterations needed). To make the outfit a little more ‘fall’, I threw on an adorable warm-toned cardigan that I borrowed from my mom. This kimono cardigan is so cozy and would be perfect paired with a sleeveless mockneck swing dress and booties! For accessories, I added a layered wrap choker and cognac sandals with a matching purse (that I borrowed from my mom as well). Basics definitely don’t have to be boring!

xoxo,

Mackenzie

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