"You Look Like Liberace!"

What I Wore: [Jacket: Duro Olowu for JCPenny, Top: Mango, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Lips: Mac “Vegas Volt”]

So when I was shopping the other day and just wandering around JC Penny, not expecting to purchase anything, I saw a glimmer of gold and turquoise….and being the magpie that I am I ran over and fell instantly in love with this ridiculous jacket. The jacket was on sale for less than half the original price and even though it’s not practical in the slightest way I somehow justified buying it. Why be subtle, right? 

I paired the jacket with a simple outfit underneath, a pleated skirt and dressier sleeveless top and then kept my shoes nice and classic by opting for a patent black slingback. Hopefully, I’ll find more opportunities to wear this in the future because there is nothing like metallic gold to make one feel ultimately fabulous :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

-Eva

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Here is a post dedicated to my favorite beauty/other things as of recently, enjoy!

Nail Polish:Essie: First Timer and Orly: Basket Case make it onto this list because they are 1. season appropriate 2. opaque in 1-2 coats (!!) 3. the kind of colors that just make me stare at my hands lovingly whilst wearing them, so they are win win win in my book. 

Eyeshadow:The combination of the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze and Stila “Kitten” Eyeshadow  has been one that I have been loving wearing on the summer days in which I actually wear make-up (aka days I have to go to work), the pairing of a darker bronzy brown under the light champagne color creates a really beautiful rose gold eye-catching color. 

Mascara:I have been a huge fan of the original L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara for years but I recently went out on a limb a bought a different variation of my all time favorite. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, I love how separating and lengthening this mascara is. Generally, I wear it with another, more volumizing, mascara over top to make my lashes a bit more bold, but overall I love this product! 

Foundation:About a month ago I made the switch from liquid foundation to mineral powder foundation, and after a good deal of research I decided on the Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundation (I have the color porcelain). This powder gives medium yet build-able coverage that is so light and breathable that I commonly forget I am wearing face makeup. As for staying power it’s good, not fantastic, but then again nothing really holds up all day long on my oily skin. I generally have to blot 1-2 times a day depending on how long I’m wearing it and how hot it is outside. But seriously, this powder is awesome for people who want coverage, want it to look natural, and want it to feel natural.

Lips:

So the next 3 products have taken the roles of my go-to lip colors. The first two are sheer and light and perfect to slap on for a daytime occasion that is not exactly neon lipstick appropriate. First is the Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in the color Rhubarb and next is the L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Lacquer (world’s longest name) in the color Rose On And On, love them both and highly recommend them! My favorite statement lip has been the Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Big Bang. These came to the U.K. many months ago and I have been DYING for them to be released in the US, and finally they have been and I could not be any happier. Plus, with them only being $5 each I might just have to buy every color. 

Scents:For me, summer and spring are times meant for smelling like a bouquet of flowers all the time, to achieve that I have been loving the, sadly almost empty, bath&bodyworks body splash in sheer freesia and a tiny sample of the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume (I am definitely buying this in the full size when I’m done with the sample). I can only explain these both as being really really floral and just beautiful and would recommend giving them a smell if you’re into that! 

Accessory: This polka dot wristlet from Target has been the most perfect item for me to use instead of a huge handbag this summer. I can fit my phone, cards, cash, and some gum inside and then clip my keys to the outside and I am out the door. Plus, who doesn’t love polka dots? They are the happiest of prints :)

Music:Vampire Weekend has been my favorite band since probably 2008 so the arrival of their third album Modern Vampires Of The City was highly anticipated for me. This album does not disappoint in any which way and I can honestly say it is pretty much all I have been listening to since it was released. This will definitely be the soundtrack to my summer, and probably fall and winter as well. If you like good music, just listen to it or buy it or something because this album is GREAT! 

What have you all been loving recently? I’d love to hear! 

Until next time,

-Eva

Gingham Girl

What I Wore: [Top: Target, Cardigan: H&M, Necklace: Target, Skirt: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: White Mountain, Lipstick: MAC “Brick-O-La”]

The summer weather in Minnesota isn’t quite warm enough to break out my sundresses and shorts yet but I’ve been loving that I am able to wear open toed shoes and skirts, (even if I have to pair them with a sweater and long sleeved shirt)! These wedges are my warm weather staple shoe and I was happy to rediscover this yellow skirt when I came home from school a few weeks ago, together they make a fantastically comfortable pair that I can see myself wearing all summer.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

-Eva

London Calling

Recently I have been making lots of mental lists regarding my upcoming study abroad trip to london *insert squeals of excitement*, here is my “list of things I should have to wear in London” as of right now. 

A trench coat that is lined and has a removable hood, low healed black leather ankle booties, nude ballet flats, a cute leather handbag that is smaller and a bit nicer than my everyday Longchamp tote, and some everyday skirts that I can pair with anything and everything

I’m sure I’ll be adding to this list but right now it’s so fun to day dream, research, and online window shop! 

Anything you think I need to have while in London?

Showing Some Blogger Love: Who I'm Following

1: Julia from Gal Meets Glam

First and foremost on my list is a San Francisco blogger whose looks are always pulled together, exciting, yet very wearable. Julia is my ultimate style twin, the first fashion blog I ever started following, and still by far my favorite one. Aside from having matching tastes in all things fashion I really appreciate her looks because I can always easily pull realistic outfit inspiration that I know will be flattering on my body type. From following her on twitter and Instagram, in addition to her blog, I’ve learned she was also a dancer, loves sweets, and listens Blind Pilot….so I think we could be best friends.

2. Sarah from Classy Girls Wear Pearls

Sarah’s blog gives me my daily dose of preppy. I love looking at her style, which is 100% true American classic prep, and working some of the different elements into my own wardrobe. The photos on her blog could make anyone in the world fall in love New England and it seems as though everything she does truly makes her the epitome of a classy girl.

3. Estée from Essie Button

I originally discovered Estée via her youtube channel, on which she makes videos about makeup and hair and fashion and all sorts of other lovely things, but recently I’ve been loving her blog for more in depth product reviews and recommendations. Everything this girl posts is hilarious, honest, helpful, and just oh so aesthetically pleasing. As I am studying abroad in London next spring I secretly hope that I somehow run into this Canadian born London resident so that I can have a bit of a fangirl moment.

4. Ann from Ann Street Studio

Ann, a photographer and outstandingly fashionable lady, leads the glamorous life that I dream of having. Through reading her blog I’ve been able to see her post about working with amazing designers, models, and other creative people, travel to amazing destinations, go to the most fabulous of all parties, all while dressed and styled to absolute perfection. When I read her blog 90% of the thoughts that go through my head are “someday…someday…someday”

5. Alix from The Cherry Blossom Girl

This Parisian girl’s blog has been my most recent follow but her delightfully whimsical posts quickly became a favorite. Alix totally fits my vision of a lovely french girl, dressed beautifully, floating through the streets of Paris. She has such a sweet and soft yet definitely unique and distinct style that I definitely try to incorporate into my day to day wardrobe.

Is there anyone you are following that you think I should be? Let me know!

-Eva

OOTD: Boyfriend Jeans + Stripes

What I Wore: [Top: Forever 21, Sweater: Banana Republic, Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad, Shoes: White Mountain]

Today’s outfit was incredibly simplistic and comfortable, yet I feel like it was more stylish than most lazy day outfits. I’ve been trying to breakaway from my habit of only wearing dark-wash skinny jeans and have always liked the look over boyfriend jeans with wedges or heels, so here we are. Although I will still always prefer a skirt or dress any day of the week, sometimes a girl just has to wear pants and this pair is remarkably comfortable. 

Until next time,

-Eva

My Skincare Routine

I’ve finally found the right combination products that make my skin the best it have ever been, well past childhood that is. I thought I would share what I use in the hopes that maybe it’ll be helpful for someone, or just mildly interesting. I have used all of these products for at least 5 months now, although many of them for much longer, and I am very impressed with how they’ve worked.

I have extremely oily and acne prone skin that I’ve struggled with for years. Luckily it’s not sensitive so I am able to use harsher products that really cleanse deeply and work well.

Onward!Above are the products I use to take off my makeup at night. First, I use the Boots No 7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes to remove my face make up, then I apply some of this Cold Cream to really deeply remove the last bits of my face makeup before I start to cleanse. This addition to my skincare routine has made SUCH a difference! Finally, after I am done cleansing my face and have mascara and eyeliner everywhere I use one of these Almay Makeup Removing Rounds, I’ve probably used these for 4 years, they’re really great. 

Moving on to actually washing my face, I swear by the Body Shop Tea Tree line which is formulated for oily acne prone skin and it has really really improved the quality of my skin, I’ve been using this line for probably a year and a half now. I use the Skin Clearing Facial Wash in the morning because it’s nice and gentle and then I use the Blackhead Exfoliating Wash in the evening to get away all the nastiness of the day and isn’t too abrasive to use everyday. After using either of washes I make sure to follow up with the Skin Clearing Toner on a cotton ball, great stuff!

Even with oily skin, it’s really important to properly moisturize so that your skin doesn’t create even more oil, these are what I like to use. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer in the morning, Clinique Repairwear Eye Cream in the evening, and this awesome Nivea lip butter and chapstick.

Finally, I use a prescription topical acne treatment all over my face every night, this also has made a huge difference. If you are unhappy with your skin and haven’t been having success with normal washes and cleansers I cannot recommend going to your doctor or dermatologist enough, for me it was really worth all the visits.

I hope this post was helpful to someone, talk to you all soon!

Good luck on finals to those who are in the midst of them :)

-Eva