Nashville Prep: Day Two (What I'm Wearing)

We are down to six days until we are Nashville bound. As I'm writing this I'm listening to my CMA Fest playlist on Spotify to get myself in the right mindset. It's boiling hot in my apartment, which normally I hate, but it actually helped me today. The atmosphere in my place today is about the same as it will be in Nashville (yes, it's that hot in here) so it was actually beneficial while planning my outfits!

I took a few pictures on my phone while I was getting things together. Nothing, of course, is set in stone yet. I won't be 100% unil tomorrow night, when my roomie gets home and gives me his opinions. Needless to say, things could change quite a bit at that time. Also, I didn't take pictures of the jeans I'm wearing, mostly because I couldn't really fit them in the picture using a small camera phone. But, if you were wondering, I'm wearing basic denim capris and shorts everyday. It's really the only way to go in this heat.

Sorry that there aren't any links. To be honest most of this stuff was either no longer listed, or I got it at thrift shops and have no idea where it originally came from. Most everything is really easily duplicated though :)

I really really love pink and I also have an obsession with leopard print. The top came from DEB years ago. And the cami came from WALMART for only $5, I bought it about a month ago, so these actually might still be available! They are super comfy and come in a million different colors!

 

The top was from DEB also, as I used to shop there all the time when I was 19-21. The cardigan is one from a thrift store a few years ago. It's jersey knit, so it's light and airy and perfect for somebody who hates to go sleeveless, but still doesn't want to burn to death in the sun :)

 

I don't know why I love this look so much. The button down is from The Avenue, but you can get them pretty much anywhere. The bustier underneath I got on sale at Torrid last year. I don't think they carry it anymore, but I know they have some that are very similar!

 

I got both of these pieces at DOTS. I bought these both on sale also (that vest was $3.) Unfortunately, because I buy most things on sale, they are usually gone pretty quick, and I've never seen another vest quite like this one :/

 

The cami is just a basic white one that you can get pretty much everywhere. The jacket is from the Avenue. I love the lace strip down the middle of the back, it just makes it look a little prettier and gives it something extra.

 

 

After I get my outfits completely ironed out and set in stone, I will start accesorizing and adding some finishing touches. Overall, I'm pretty happy with what I've come up with... especially since I didn't have to purchase a single new item, these were all already in my closet. Some of these I had never though to wear together. Luckily, I decided to try to mix things up a little bit for this post, and it paid off as far as I'm concerned!

 

Nashville Prep : Day One (Face)

Today is officially seven short days until I head out of Ohio, with my three best friends, for Nashville and the CMA Fest. As much as I hate waiting and hoping for the next few days to pass by, I do enjoy the pre CMA planning. This next seven days are the days for planning my makeup, nails, hair and outfits for each day at Fest, and I genuinely enjoy it!

 Knowing how to paint my face is not as simple as it sounds. I have to be careful about the makeup I use because, A.) I have very fair, easily burnt skin, which means I have to lather on sunscreen before applying my makeup and B.) Nashville is very hot, and we spend pretty much the whole day outside walking around to different stages, so I need a face that is going to stick with me. I won't have time to reapply every hour or so. Some girls are naturally pretty enough to hit the streets with the BARE minimum and get by with it, I am not that lucky. I can't leave that hotel (no matter how much I may want to) without a full face on. From SPF to eyeliner. So today, I spent several hours on Youtube and other blogs looking at different tutorials that I think will work for me. There were soooo many to chose from, which is really nice. There is something for every skin tone, type, and problem. These were my favorites. Keep in mind, you don't have to follow these to a T. Certain colors that work for these girls, may not work for me, or you... These are just some general ideas, and with a little tweaking, I think they will work just fine for me :)



Summer time, for me at least, usually means late nights. Especially during CMA. We spend a lot of nights out at bars and partying with friends. So, needless to say, this one is especially important for me.


I don't know that I could pull this one off. I look a little bittle crazy without a good solid eyeliner and some color, but I know a lot of girls prefer this look, especially in the summer. So here's to ya :)


Coral is my favorite color. I don't have blue eyes, which this video is mostly geared towards, but I still think it will work for me. I plan on trying this look on one of the days when none of my clothing or accessories are coral.

I'm excited to try this one on one of our nights out. I love the bright colors, but I'm a little scared to wear this during the day in Nashville. I'm afraid after a few hours in that bright Tennessee sun, this will wind up all down my face. Once night falls, and the whole town cools down a little, I'm going to give this one a whirl!

This look is one of those staples that really can look great on anyone. You might have to go a shade or so lighter, or darker to make it perfect, but it works for everyone!


Lastly, I chose this one, because In the summertime I love a little pop of color in my classic eye makeup looks. The little dusting of that minty shadow just makes this look feel so much more appropriate for summer!

So those are my general makeup plans for Nashville. As always, I'll follow each look with a misting of hairspray. I always hear mixed reviews on that step, but I swear by it!
Ps. If you are a country music fan, make plans to hit up the CMA Fest next year! It's the best party of the season! Anyone else going?
XOXO

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Nashville and the CMA Fest

Only four days left in the month of May... which means in nine days, I will be back in my favorite city, for my favorite event of the year!

That's right, friends. In nine short days I will be back in Nashville for the CMA Festival! It is my absolute favorite part of the year. It's four days of sun (hopefully), good country music at every corner, day drinkin in the streets, celebrities, and boys with cowboy boots and tan lines. Heaven, for a girl like me.

I went for the first time three years ago, and my life has never been the same. I know country music is not everyone's cup of tea, but honestly, this festival is about so much more! I have made some really great friends, and some even better memories at CMA and I CANNOT wait to be back for round 3!

One of my favorite parts about the end of May/first four days of June, is all the planning and packing for Fest. Some people hate packing... I am not one of those people. I love putting together my outfits, picking out nail colors for each day, putting together a hair strategy, and looking at summer makeup tutorials online. I start this about 14 days before Fest starts. Two weeks is plenty of time, right?

Anyway, I know this wasn't exactly beauty related, but it will be soon! I intend to let you all see what goes in to my hair/face/fashion planning in the week before CMA starts. I would also REALLY love some imput from you all! What are your favorite looks for summer? How do you keep a good face on in the blistering sun? How do you manage humidity and your hair? Also, if anyone else is going to CMA Fest, I'd love to here from you!

XOXO

My Pretty Zombie review!

 I am so excited to do this review. I was thrilled a few days ago to open my mailbox and find my first ever products to review for this new venture. Andrea, from My Pretty Zombie, was kind enough to send me three different pigments to review and share with you all... and I was not let down by these eye pigments AT all. So let's get right into it!

 

This first shade is Exsanguinate ( I love the names of these pigments). It is such a GORGEOUS red with a hint of shimmer in it. I swatched each shade twice, once alone (left) and once over a white base (right). One of my favorite things about this shade is the color difference when you put it over the white base. It's like having two separate shades in one container! I love this one so much. Also, the texture of all of these pigment is SO smooth which makes it incredibly easy to blend, which, for me, is the pretty much the most important feature in any pigment,

 

Next up is Gangrenous!

This color is so amazing. It is such a great shade of blue with the most amazing teal, turquoise, green sheen to it. When you put this on, every way you turn you see a new color. It's so beautiful. I can not WAIT to build a look around this little beauty. (I'll be doing a post for that in the next few days!) Trust me when I say, pictures do not do this the justice it deserves. It is stunning. If you've never tried this brand, and you are looking to try it now, I DEFINITELY suggest purchasing this one!

And lastly, my favorite, Goth Mary Poppins.

 

This one was such a happy surprise. I love black shadows and upon first glance, I thought this was going to be another matte black shade to add to my collection. But I was SO wrong, This is not a typical black shadow. The shimmer in the shadow is so fabulous. And it's not like some other black shimmer pigments, where it looks so great in the container, but you either can't see the shimmer once it's on the eye, or all the glitzy stuff falls out on to your face when applying. Let me tell you, the shimmer in this pigment, is no joke! This is also great because, even if you don't have a white base to stick under it, the color is still so bold and true. I am so excited about having this in my current collection. I intend to do an entire look with these pigments in the very near future, so keep looking for that :)

 

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with my first "blog review" shadows. My Pretty Zombie shadows are so easy to work with. I am not a makeup artist. I'm still experimenting with products and learning as I go. This brand is PERFECT for me, and other girls who are on a learning path as well. They are so versatile. MPZ has SO many amazing shades for you to check out and I promise you, you will not be disappointed. When I started this blog, it was partially because I wanted to really expand my knowledge of brands outside of the big shots. Not that I don't love my Too Faced and Urban Decay, but there are so many lesser known brands that offer such great products that are often times even BETTER than their more expensive competitors. This is one of those brands!

Thanks again to Andrea for sending me these to review. I am definitely a life long fan now, and I hope everyone reading this will be as well!

 

For more information on My Pretty Zombie (and to see more of these amazing shadows) Check out these Links!

 

Shop : My Pretty Zombie on Etsy

Facebook : My Pretty Zombie

 

 

 



What's In My Purse?!

I was going to do a review today on my current hair system I'm using, but I've decided to give it one more day to see if it improves at all :/ So today I'll be doing a What's In My Bag post!

So this lovely lady is my bag! I got her a year ago at a Coach outlet for CRAZY cheap. It was like $100 dollars for the bag AND the matching wallet. Unfortunately I'll be putting her away soon. This bag is so fall to me, that I don't even like to carry it in the summertime. Now onto the good stuff :)

I basically live out of this bag. I keep my Kindle in that big pink case for my long days of laying out in the sun. On top of that is my mini Hello Kitty notebook. Lots of times random ideas will pop in to my head and I like to keep track of them. Moving left we have my generic Ipod which I NEVER leave home without. Music is a huge part of my life (I'm currently listening to Marina and the Diamonds - Sex Yeah, in case you were wondering.) Next is my adorable glitterized zebra flask. No, I'm not an alcoholic or anything, but do you have any idea how expensive cocktail are at bars these days? I just prefer to bring my own. Then I have my Betsey Johnson perfume. I have been wearing it for years and it never gets old. Every time I spray it on, it takes me back to good times. The two Harajuku bags are very important. One houses my daily makeup brushes and the other holds my day to day makeup. Sometimes I wind up in strange circumstances and I need to have my makeup with me. You never know when you'll need to slap on a quick face! The big red sequin lip bag is basically my important stuff. Like, if I go somewhere and don't want to lug around this heavy bag, the Lip bag is what I take instead. Then comes the random things swimming around the bottom of my bag. Eyelash curler, jewelry box, Sephora bag full of foil samples, and my casino card. Now I'm sure you are DYING to see what is in my makeup bags.

Harajuku Bag! This is my day to day essentials. Bare Essentials concealer, Lancôme La Base primer, L'Oreal BB Cream in Fair, Benefit It's Potent eye cream, La Roche-Pose face cream, Hard Candy eyeshadow primer, Wet N Wild liquid eyeliner, Wet N Wild Mega volume mascara, Sephora Disney Collection "Cinderella" Lipstick in Pumpkin, Lancôme Juicy Tube in Raspberry Ice, The Balm Hot Mama eyeshadow/blush, Jessie's Girl Eyeshadow Compact in Tickled Pink, Wet N Wild lip liner in Brandywine, and Sephora Black Pencil Liner.

The Lip Bag is just the basics. Lens cloth for my glasses, A mirror, Stila All Over Shimmer liquid luminizer, Vaseline lip care, Baby Baby Lips, a band aid (I'm accident prone), Old concert tickets, money, and Id, two perfume samples (Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty and Juliette Has A Gun), and of course a hair tie and some bobby pins. The basics, like I said.

And lastly my bag of samples!

 

So that, ladies, is what's in my purse! Sorry about the lighting in the pictures. As I'm REALLY new to blogging, I haven't quite found the picture place/lighting for my pictures yet. Bare with me, I'll figure it out eventually I hope!

 

I would love to see what's in some of YOUR bags! You can really tell a lot about a girl by what she carries around with her everyday. Also, If you want to see/hear more of any of the items in my bag, let me know!

Lumikki Cosmetics

I have to share something with you all really quickly before I head out! I was doing some browsing today on Etsy. I love looking at some of the handmade pigments people come up with and I came across a really good one. It's called Lumikki Cosmetics. I've never heard of this brand before (anybody?) but I'm impressed! She carries over 100 pigments, and they are all STUNNING. I contacted her today about maybe getting some pigments to so reviews for you guys, so hopefully that will happen soon. I'm definitely going to order some soon. Seriously, they are so affordable, most under $6 and shipping in the US is only about $4. I've listed just a few of my faves below, but check it out for yourselves HERE.

Lust.

The worst part about having a budget, is not being able to order every pretty new product that catches my eye. Right now, there are so many product out there that I want to try. Since I can't afford to buy them all right this second, I'll just blog about my lust-worthy products and if any of you have them, you can give some feedback. That way, when I do have some extra money, I'll be less likely to buy something that isn't worth the hype!

1. Lime Crime Velvetines in Suedeberry ($16.99)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. LimeCrime Zodiac Glitter in Saggitarius ($12.99) Not to harsh of a price!



 

3. Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in Orange. (Not sure of the price. Website was in Korean and I couldn't figure out how to change it :( Any info would be appreciated!) The packaging on the Etude products is always so adorable! 

 

4. Stila After Glow Lip Color in Electric Pink ($18.00)



 

 5. My Pretty Zombie Eyeshadow in Law Firm Lambcake ($5.00)



So that's what I'm lusting after this week. Hopefully I'll be able to own most of these in the next few months as none of them are really bank breakers. Especially that MPZ Shadow, which is SO beautiful. Check out her Etsy shop for some more amazing shadows that are insanely affordable and gorgeous!

 

Giveaways!

If you are into trying out brands from other countries, check out these great new giveaways!

Try TangerineBabi blog for a really great giveaway. There are three different prize packages to be won, two of which include some brands from Korea, and even... LUSH! I'm so excited! Good luck ladies!

 

Also, over at Sashimi Dolly for an other equally amazing giveaway! This is a big one, ladies with some AMAZING product! And her blog is so colorful and fun, so definitely give her a follow!

 

 

Please excuse my face in this picture... and my lack of makeup. But my face is not the point of this post. It's that nightmare growing out of my head. This hair is the bane of my existence. It's long, it's thick, and so so unfortunately it is so very frizzy. I have forever envied girls with long, blonde, straight locks. The last month or so, however I've decided to take a new approach.... Instead of cursing and hating my hair, I'm trying to impove it. So hopefully, you'll take this journey with me!

 

I'm going to start using a different product every few weeks until I find the ones that really work for me. Starting with this one...

 

 

DermOrganic graciously sent my this deluxe sample of their argan oil hair care line which I used for the first time today. Obviously it's too early to tell how much I like it (my hair is still wet) but expect a review on these babies in the near future. They are interesting products (The shampoo is made with FACIAL cleanser).

 

 

I look forward to sharing my hair transformation (hopefully) journey with you. <3



This is how I'm feeling today!

Rush!

I love sleep. I really really love it. So it should come as no surprise that I would rather be a little rushed to get ready for work in the mornings than to lose an hour of sleep. On any given day, I usually have maybe fifteen minutes to get public ready. Now of course some days, I want to look extra nice so I might give up some of my precious sleep time, but those instances are few and far between. As it turns out, I know several other girls who feel the same way I do! So here is a quick mini version of my morning face routine.

Obviously, before I do anything, I wash my face!

 

First things first. I start with my St.Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Moisturizer (4.99 at any drugstore). I'm only 25, but it's never to early to start fighting signs of aging!

Once my face is moisturized I move on to my skin primer. I use Lancôme La Base, which is admittedly way too expensive for me, but I got it in a BirchBox... so I'm using it up. Once I run out I'll update my morning routine. Ladies, never skip the primer if you have the time. It makes all the difference in the world. 

 Next up is the eyes, since that's what usually takes up most of my time. I typically use the 5th shade from the left in my Jessie's Girl Tickled Pink shadow collection. It's just enough color on my fair skin that you can tell I'm wearing makeup. Occasionally when I have a few extra minutes I run the 2nd color through my crease to make the look a little more dramatic. The one step that I NEVER leave out...EVER is eyeliner and mascara. I use the Wet and Wild classic black liquid liner and the Wet and Wild Mega Volume mascara in black. I find that without eyeliner, I don't recognize my own reflection! I also tend to use more drugstore products in my morning routine, as I like to use my better products for special occasions and big nights out. Using better products generally gives me a little extra pep in my step :)

I then use my Wet and Wild Cover All pressed powder to do a little evening of my skin and to set everything in place.

Lastly, I use one of my very favorite product of all time. TheBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush (under $20). The color on this baby is GORGE. It is a pretty peachy color with just a hint of gold. It looks so glowy and summery. I'm addicted.

 

I use this as my daytime blush. I'll do a full review on this product later because it's worth letting people know about. I could go on about this one for days ya'll.

 

 

After my Hot Mama fix, I'm done for the day besides a little spritz of my Prada Candy.

 

Now getting ready for a night out or big occasion is another thing entirely. It takes about five hours from shower to shoes. But that's another post for another day my dears :)

Beauty Icon of the Week (Vol.1)

When it comes to beauty and putting on a fabulous face, there are SO many people that I admire. If you were to ask me who my Beauty Icon is, I'd have to read you a list about a mile long. There are just so many creative and insanely talented people out there. I want to highlight some of those wonderful people here on my blog, once a week!
So, to kick things off, I've chosen someone that maybe some of you haven't heard of (but should).

 

Detox! If you're really into Drag, or even just dabble in a little RuPaul's Drag Race here and there, than this beauty is no stranger. Detox is an amazing performer as well as being one of the most glam drag queens I've ever seen, and hunny, I've seen A LOT of drag queens!  Like most drag queens, Detox has a huge range of looks. The one above is actually one of her more tame faces. Recently, on the reunion special for RuPaul's Drag Race, Detox came in black and white. It was spectacular.

 

Stunning, I tell you! For more Detox-y glam and even some videos, head on over to FYeahDetox. Looking for a new look, you'll certainly find some inspiration here!



That Girl Is Such A Lush!

As my first real blog post, I want to introduce you to my very favorite thing on the planet. I'm sure most of you have heard of the brand before, but if you somehow missed the memo, then get on this band wagon.



Lush USA has, literally, changed my life. I know it might sound crazy, but I'm serious! A little over a year ago, I walked into my local mall and came across a little kiosk full of all kinds of sweet treats... not edible sweet treats, but treats for my tub. It was overwhelming. I wanted one of everything! Unfortunately, one of everything was not in my budget, so I made three choices and headed home. Best decision ever.

Taking a bath with a LUSH product is a little bit of heaven right here on earth. The products are handmade. They are also mostly vegan and preservative free! One of my favorite thing about Lush products, is the price. Although they have some products that are WAY too expensive for me (however, totally worth it if you want to splurge!), my favorite items are all UNDER TEN DOLLARS! Under, I say! You can visit the site yourself, of course, and find some really great things for some really great prices at http://www.lushusa.com . If you are overwhelmed like I was at first, and don't know what to choose, maybe I can assist you... with my top 3 Lush products under $10!

 

1.Pheonix Rising (Bath Bomb, $6.95)

First let me say that all of the Bath Bombs are really big. The picture is a little deceiving, as it makes it look a little small. It's not. You can use it all at one (like I do), or even cut it in half and have two baths out of it! This particular bomb turns your bathwater a lovely shade of purple. It smells just like cinnamon apples (yes, that is a cinnamon stick on the top). The best part of the bombs is that the amazing scents linger on your skin all day. They aren't terribly strong or overpowering, but just enough that if somebody was getting up close and personal, they would be able to smell the scent on your skin. Another draw for me, is that this bomb releases a little bit of shimmer into your bathwater. When you finish, you feel relaxed, delicious, and glowy. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

 

2. Sunny Side (Bubble Bar, $7.25)

When you break this bar up under running water, prepare to be amazed. Your bathwater looks like liquid gold. It is absolutely beautiful. If you like a more summery, citrusy scent, this is for you! Keep in mind, if you purchase this bubble bar, be prepared to shimmer for a few day. The shimmer in this bar does linger a little longer on the skin, but it's actually really pretty.

 

and finally...

 

 

3. Twilight (Bath Bomb, $6.25)

If you haven't already picked up on it, I REALLY like glitz. Shimmer, Glitter, Rhinestones... I love it all. If you are anything like me (addicted to glitter) this is the bomb for you. The website says that Twilight smells of lavender, which it does, but to me it smells like a sugary sweet lavender candy. And again, the scent will linger on your skin long after your tub has been drained. This one also turns your water a pale purple shade. It is also the most relaxing bomb I've used, definitely try this one if you have trouble getting to sleep! But my absolute favorite part, is the millions of glitter flecks swirling around my bathwater. If you don't want to leave the tub looking a little bit disco diva-y, then this might not be your best bet. The glitter was still on my skin and in my hair the rest of the day! You can also wrap your bath bomb in nylon before putting into the tub to keep the glitter from escaping if you don't want to be covered in it the rest of the day... but it kind of takes the fun out of it!

 

 

Hopefully this post was at least enough to pique your interest! Even if you don't like my top 3, you'll be happy with any LUSH purchase. Everything they make is wonderful. But don't take it from me, try it out for yourself! Happy shopping!



New Blog on the Block

So, here's the thing. I love beauty blogs. Adore 'em. I could spend all day reading various beauty/nail/hair/fashion blogs. The problem is, even though I enjoy reading them, most of the ones I've come across just aren't super helpful! My biggest blog problems are probably the same as most other girls... The blogger looks completely different from me, so the tutorials won't work for me. The reviews are ALL about high end, expensive (not that that's a bad thing), products that I will never be able to afford. The nail tutorials are all catered to girls with long ,beautiful ,healthy nails, and are done by a girl that has crazy steady hands. The OOTD's are all from girl that are a size 2-4 (again, nothing wrong with that), or they are SUPER expensive clothing that just don't work with my budget. Now, I know off the bat, I sound like a real Debbie-downer. The thing is, I still enjoy blogs even when they don't cater to me. I appreciate the creativity and fabulousness of so many of todays bloggers. I started this blog on the assumption that there are girl like me out there, having the same blog issues I'm having.

Now that you know WHY I started this project, let me tell you a little about me. My name is Sara. I'm addicted to all things beauty (obviously). I'm 25 years old and I live in Ohio with my best friend, Drew. I work a regular part time job. I'm not a makeup artist or a nail tech. I don't make a whole lot of money, which I think gives my blog a little something special, as my budget is a little more relatable. I'm in the same boat as most American women my age. I'm also plus size. Again, maybe a little more relatable than some other blogs you may have stumbled across? Not that there is anything wrong with NOT being plus sized, I'm not a thin-hater or anything... I have really REALLY fair skin and freckles. Something I don't see a whole lot of in the blogosphere. I also wear glasses.. all the time, so I know a thing or two about putting on a face with a mirror in one hand and a brush in the other (a lot harder than it sounds!) The truth is, I'm just an average, everyday, chubby girl with glasses, no tan, and a teeny tiny budget :) And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one!