Packing for London

I only have a few more days before I head off for my summer abroad adventures, and I couldn’t be more excited. Packing for two weeks in Tanzania wasn’t too difficult, but seven weeks in London was no easy task. As a chronic over-packer, it’s hard not to try to shove my entire wardrobe into one suitcase.  Here are some packing tips I have learned over the years:

  1. Check out the weather for the trip. Look at the monthly averages for the country, and then pack accordingly. London weather can be all over the place, so I packed things I could layer. I packed a fleece, a sweater, a kimono, and a denim jacket that can all be easily worn over any outfit I packed if it gets chilly.
  2. Type a list. Before I begin packing, I always type a list of exactly what I want to pack. I put things in categories like clothes, toiletries, etc. This really helps me know exactly what I need for the trip and ensures I won’t forget anything important.
  3. Pick outfits that you can mix and match. Dresses are always easy to put in your suitcase and make for an easy outfit. I also pack shorts/skirts first, and then I select two tops for each bottom. Before packing a certain piece, think about what it would actually go with and how you could stye it.
  4. Roll things! I always roll my clothes in my suitcase because it does actually save more room than folding!
  5. Don’t overpack when it comes to shoes- they really add lots of weight to your bag and take up tons of space. Be realistic and pick comfortable shoes that you will actually end up wearing during the trip. Always wear your heaviest shoes on the plane to save space in your bag. When I study abroad in Europe, I always wear my rain boots on the flights because they are quite large.
  6. For packing, I always bring a large suitcase and a duffle bag for my carry on. Always go for a suitcase with wheels. The duffle bag is awesome because if I decide to take a weekend trip to another country, I can bring that big instead of my huge suitcase. I always bring a crossbody purse to Europe for everyday use as well!
  7. Really think about what you actually need. I am a huge overpacker, but I try to think realistically. “When am I really going to wear these heels? Where would I actually wear this maxi dress”. If you really think about each piece you are packing and being realistic, you will not overpack as much!
  8. It’s always good to make sure you leave a little extra room in your suitcase in case you decide to shop there or bring gifts home!

I posted some pictures of the clothes I packed. I will probably add a few more things (like socks, a rain jacket, etc.), but this is a general basis for the outfits I am bringing with me for the London School of Economics.

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In summary, here is what I packed (clothes-related)-

  • 4 rompers
  • 5 dresses
  • 4 shorts
  • 2 skirts
  • 1 pants (going to pack another white pair soon)
  • 12 tops
  • denim jacket
  • sweater
  • kimono
  • fleece
  • sandals
  • wedges
  • converse
  • rain boots
  • crossbody purse

Thank you all so much for checking out my packing post! I head off to Tanzania later this week, and then I go straight to London two weeks later! I can’t wait to share my adventures with y’all!

Safe Travels!

xoxo

A Comparison of Two Wedges

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The wedges

When you’re 5’0 tall, wedges become something of an essential in your closet. I have been obsessed with wedges for as long as I can remember. They give you height, make your legs look longer, and are much more comfortable than stilettos. I got these fabulous Tory Burch wedges for my birthday back in April. My mom and sister also picked up a pair as well, and we have all been loving them. Not only are they very comfortable, but they are incredibly versatile However, they aren’t the most affordable pair of wedges out there. I love them for nice events and church, but it’s great to have a cheaper pair of wedges for travel, game days, and nights out with friends. I also get asked frequently on tumblr for a cheaper alternative to my TB Wedges, and I found these cute ones online. I decided to purchase them for myself because they were only $31!

The review

So now let’s get down to the comparison of these two wedges. The Tory Burch wedges are almost ten times the price, but the quality of them is truly top of the line. The dupes are definitely much lower quality, but I still really like them. They are also a little less comfortable than their expensive counterpart, but aren’t bad at all. One difference I noticed from trying them on is that the dupes are much taller. The dupes are almost an entire inch taller than the Tory Burch ones, which you can definitely tell when you walk in them! The two wedges are also made of different materials- the Tory Burch wedges are cork, and the dupes are a more plastic-wood material. The brand for these dupes is called ‘Soda’. I have purchased other shoes from ‘Soda’ before and have been incredibly satisfied with all of them. Yes, they aren’t the best quality, but they are still super cute, and the awesome price is definitely hard to beat! Would I recommend these Tory Burch look-a-like wedges? Definitely! They have a very similar look, and I really enjoy both of them. I can’t wait to pack these dupes in my travel bag for London! They will be perfect for nights out, and I won’t have to worry about scuffing them up or ruining them. These affordable wedges are pretty awesome, and I would highly recommend them if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Tory Burch Daisy Wedges!

Hope y’all are having a great Wednesday!

xoxo

Ocean salt

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Dress Forever 21 (sold out online- but similar and similar) • Purse Rebecca Mink • Sandals Jack Rogers • Earrings Kendra Scott • Lips Revlon • Blush NARS (exhibit A)

This tie-dye, bell sleeved shift has helped me beat those Monday blues. It can be hard getting out of bed in the summer (especially when you’re a little addicted to 90210), but this fun printed dress makes it easier! This has definitely become one of my favorite pieces in my closet because it is so perfect for Sunday brunch, evenings with friends, and even those fall game days. I purchased this dress in the store during March, and it was love at first sight. However, it is currently sold out online (so I linked two similar options). I paired it with some gold sandals and cool toned earrings. I also decided to add my white fringe purse to bring out the whites in the dress. It’s been a fabulous week here in Texas with even more fabulous weather. I can’t believe I head off for Tanzania in just 10 days- I am so excited!

xoxo

Take me to Maui

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Dress Show Me Your Mumu Wedges Jack Rogers  Earrings Kendra Scott

Every time I put on this fun, tropical dress, I instantly feel like I am back in Maui (which is pretty much my very favorite place on Earth). The halter, swingy fit of this Show Me Your Mumu dress is incredibly flattering and perfect for those hot summer evenings. I loved the ‘Katy Halter Dress’ so much, that I purchased another one in this wild print as well! I decided to pair it with some rose gold, hibiscus adorned wedges, and pearl statement earrings. For my lips, I went with a beige lipstick and a layered coral lipstick. I’ve also been playing around with my new Exhibit A blush, so I will definitely be reviewing this bold blush soon!

Hope you are having an awesome weekend!

xoxo

Shopping wishlist

Hey y’all! So this has been something heavily requested on my tumblr, and I decided to finally make one. Here are some things that are currently on my shopping wish-list. Thank you for checking out my blog! Let me know what’s on  your wish-list for this summer!

Have a great weekend, friends!

xoxo

May favorites

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IMG_0001     As the month of June begins, it’s time to share my beauty favorites from the month of May. I am a little bit of a beauty-junkie, and I am constantly trying new products. These are my favorite beauty products I have been loving this month:

1.) NARS Key Largo eyeshadow duo

These NARS eyeshadow duos are my favorite, especially for travel. I picked this little duo up on a whim, but I have been loving it so much. It’s a perfect peach and bronze combo that works for both day and night. I find myself wearing it pretty much daily with black liquid liner and mascara. The peach shade is matte and looks really nice with a tan. The shade on the right is a rich bronze that looks lovely in the crease of the eye. I think ‘Key Largo’ is a great duo for blue eyes! I will definitely be bringing this perfect summer duo with me when I head abroad.

2.) MAC ‘Margin’ blush

When I am picking up a new blush, I usually go for warm peaches and pinks. I was just browsing around at the MAC counter in Memphis, and the makeup artist there suggested that I try this blush. Initially, I was very opposed to giving this blush a try. It does look muddy and dull in the pan, however, it actually looks very natural on the skin. It really adds a nice glow and is perfect for everyday use. I think this blush would be especially perfect on tan skin and works great as both a blush and bronzer.

3.) Revlon colorburst lip balms

These Revlon lip balms are brilliant! I have three shades-  Sweetheart, Cherish, and Mischievous. ‘Sweetheart’ is a bold, hot pink that is super bright and stays on the lips all day. ‘Cherish’ is a cool toned pink that is a little more wearable for daytime because it is more sheer. ‘Mischievous’ is a pale orange stain with a matte finish. Something that I love about these balms is that they are so easy to apply and require no sharpening. These Revlon balms also have the nicest scent. They smell so minty and fresh, which is great because I can’t stand lip products that smell bad! I definitely plan on purchasing more of these fun Revlon lip balms in the future.

4.) Bath & Body Works ‘Maui scrub’

I got this summery, little scrub for my birthday and I’ve been loving it! With notes of coconut, hibiscus, and mango, it smells so tropical. This body scrub also does a fabulous job of exfoliating (which is great if you spray tan and/or use self tanners). I am a little bit in love with everything from the Bath & Body Works Hawaii collection, especially the lotions and body sprays!

5.) Essie ‘Bikini So Teeny’ nail polish

This has been my go-to nail polish for the past month. It reminds me of the beach and really flatters any skin tone. This cool blue polish also looks great on the toenails as well! It’s a really nice color for the season, and I would highly recommend it for anybody looking for the perfect summer nail polish!

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Let me know what your May favorites are!

xoxo

Sweet summer nights

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Romper Red Dress Boutique (not available on RD, but available here) • Purse Rebecca MinkoffSandals Jack RogersEarrings Kendra ScottBracelets David Yurman

Nothing says summer like a bold romper- oh, and a sunburn. I am all about halters, so when I saw this fun, geometric one, I could not resist! I have worn this romper several times over the past few months and it is such a summer staple for me. One of my favorite things about this romper is that it looks like a two piece set, but it’s really not. It’s also super comfortable!  I decided to pair it with some navy and white sandals and a white cross body purse. I think it would also look cute paired with a denim jacket for chilly summer nights. Now that the month of May is over, I will be posting my ‘May favorites’ later this week! Thank you again for checking out my blog!

Hope you had a fantastic weekend!

xoxo

Totally tropical

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Top Blue Door Boutique (not available, but similar) • Shorts Show Me Your MuMu • Sandals Jack Rogers  • Necklace Kendra Scott • Nails Essie ‘Bikini So Teeny’

Nothing says summer like a bold, tropical pattern. These Show Me Your Mumu shorts have definitely been my favorite piece in my closet for the past few months. I feel like I wear them weekly. They are incredibly comfortable, and surprisingly pretty versatile. I recently purchased them in white as well. I usually pair these shorts with a white or denim shirt, but today I tried them out with a fun, hot pink tank.

I also included pictures of the two baby kittens we have been fostering for the past few weeks. We took them to the Humane Society yesterday, so that they can find a good home. They were so sweet and we had the best time taking care of them!

Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Have an awesome weekend!

xoxo

Playing it casual

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Tee Free People • Shorts Apricot Lane (Not available, but similar) • Halter bra Free People • Necklace Kendra Scott Sandals Jack Rogers  • Purse Rebecca Minkoff

Who else is ready for the weekend? Usually, I’m one for dressing head to toe in bright, neon hues. However, I decided to borrow my sister’s muted Free People tee to try something different. To keep with the muted feel, I paired the top with some off-white shorts and bone colored sandals. I also added my favorite Rebecca Minkoff purse because it really adds something fun to the simplest outfits. I’ve been loving fringe this season!

Thank you for checking out my blog!

xoxo2

The Lush Lowdown – part 2

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Lush Fail #1 – Black Stocking

I was really optimistic about this product when I first purchased it. A cute heart shape bar that will make me tan? Oh yeah! However, this product ended up being more of a flop for me. Though it does have a nice scent, it’s incredibly difficult to use. When you rub it onto the skin, it is extremely shimmery, streaky, and hard to rub in evenly.

Pros: has a nice smell, similar to licorice. It also has a nice bronzy color.

Cons: Applies unevenly, and is very difficult to blend. Looks streaky on the skin.

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Lush Fail #2- American Cream Conditioner

The sales associate talked me into purchasing this conditioner for my dry, coarse hair. After smelling it, I was sold. It is honestly the most delicious smelling conditioner I have ever come across. It definitely reminds me of a vanilla and strawberry milkshake. However, when it comes to how well this product works, I am less than impressed. I had to apply a very large amount to my hair for it to even work as a conditioner whatsoever. After getting of the shower, and brushing through my hair, it felt very frizzy and dry. When I looked at the ingredients I noticed it has sulfate, something I don’t usually put on my hair. The conditioner is such a light formula and I would not recommend it for thick, coarse hair.

Pros: Smells amazing- best scented conditioner I have ever used. The scent lingers throughout the day, which is something I do really like.

Cons: Very light and not moisturizing enough. You have to use a large amount for it to even work at all. I would not repurchase even though the smell is amazing.

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Lush fail #3 – Shower Jelly

I originally purchased this seasonal shower jelly for my mom for Christmas. It came in a gift set. She really didn’t like it, so she ended up giving it to me. I was really excited to try it because I’ve seen the shower jellies many times in the store and have always been tempted to try them. The smell of this specific product is interesting. It’s not exactly pleasant, but it isn’t necessarily bad either. The consistency is the weirdest aspect about it though. It feels like jello. My main issue with the product though is that is kind of difficult to use. I’ve tried many different methods of using it, and nothing seems to work because it is so slippery. When I pinch a small amount and try to use it as a shower gel, it slips out of my hands. I have even tried putting a small amount on a loofa, but that didn’t work for me either. The shower jelly just wouldn’t lather at all for me, and I felt like it would just bounce off my skin. I don’t think I would repurchase another shower jelly again!

Pros: It’s a really fun, unique product that’s definitely worth trying. They’re also really fun to touch!

Cons: Didn’t really work for me. I don’t feel like it really cleaned or lathered. Instead, it would slip onto the floor or bounce right off.

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Lush Skin Care

I’ve always been a drugstore skin care fanatic, trying every cheap face wash and moisturizer on the market. All have worked, but none have really been a ‘holy grail’ for me. When I was in Lush back in the the winter, I was given a sample of a skin care product to try- Coal Face. I was a little freaked out by this black rock I was suppose to rub on my face, but I decided to give it a try. After a few weeks, I noticed great results. I also liked that the Lush product didn’t irritate my sensitive, acne-prone skin. I decided it was time to switch from the harsh drugstore products I had used for year to something more gentle and organic for my skin. What I noticed is that Lush is really not much more expensive than your typical drugstore products. I went into Lush recently to pick up some skin care products, and I have been loving them. Here is a review on my Lush skincare routine:

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Step 1- Fresh Farmacy Cleanser

In the past, I have only ever used liquid cleansers in a bottle. It has been an adjustment to switch to a cleansing bar, but I really, really love this one. My sister, who also has the same skin type as me, has been using this product for months now. She recommended it for me, so I decided to choose this specific cleanser. It is light pink in color and has a nice scent. It is made with calamine, elderflower, and lavender oil, so it’s incredibly soothing on the most sensitive skin. To apply it, I hold the bar under warm water and then rub it between my hands. I put the bar back in a small dish by the sink and then rub my hands on my skin to apply the product. Then, I use my Clarisonic skin cleaning brush to help the product really clean my skin. One of my favorite things about this product is that my skin feels incredibly clean after using it. I think it’s really awesome that you can actually choose the amount you want to pay for each bar depending on the size. I decided to buy $10 worth, which is a pretty decent amount. When I got home, I cut the bar into 9 different pieces. I know my sliced up bar of Fresh Farmacy will last me a long time, and when I do run out, I will definitely, definitely repurchase.

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Step 2- Tea Tree Water Toner

Before purchasing this product, I had never used a skin toner before. After hearing tons of raves and recommendations about the Lush Tea Tree Water, I decided to give it at a try. It doesn’t have much of a fragrance in my opinion, but it feels very refreshing on the skin. The ingredients in this product include tea tree water, grapefruit water, and juniper water, so it is awesome for oily and acne prone skin. To use this product, I spritz the toner onto a cotton ball after cleansing my skin, and then I rub it to my skin, concentrating on the t-zone. The Tea Tree Water feels really light and soothing on the skin. Within just a few days, I noticed a huge difference in my skin. I would recommend this product for anybody looking for a great toner that really helps with breakouts and oil!

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Step 3- Imperialis Moisturizer

This moisturizer is a life saver. It is a balancing moisturizer for combination skin. It’s super soothing because it includes lavender flower, shea butter, olive oil, elderflower, and tons of awesome ingredients! It has really helped the oil production of my skin without making my skin necessarily dry either. I use it twice a day right after using my toner. The Imperialis moisturizer leaves my angry, sensitive skin feeling soft and healthy. Plus, it does’t break my skin out at all, which is awesome! It’s a little more on the pricey side in comparison to the cleanser and toner, but it is well worth the money. The only thing I don’t love about it is the packaging- I would prefer the moisturizer to be in a pump bottle. When I run out, I will definitely be purchasing some more.

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Thank you so much for checking out my two part Lush series! Have a great day!

xoxo