MIA

I've been MIA for quite some time now and unfortunately I don't see it changing any time soon. Things have been really busy lately! I do think about my blog a lot. I know it's not big and not many people follow it, but it's an outlet for me and a way for me to share my love of clothes and makeup. In a selfish way I blog for myself more than anything and if I can help some inspire some people along the way or teach people that you can buy great items at a low price then that's just another great added benefit to my blog! I really love blogging, but it's hard to keep up with it when you work full time and so does your cameraman! I feel like my husband and I are constantly going non-stop all the time. I don't like when life feels this way. I wish I could slow things down and take some time for myself more often than I do. That being said, I do have a lot of plans and ideas for my blog in the future and I can't wait to share them, but it's going to be a little while before I get around to doing outfit posts. Makeup and beauty posts are easier to keep up with because they don't require me to plan and photograph outfits, so you'll probably see beauty-related posts every once in a while! I do have a couple of really exciting things coming very soon to my Instagram! I can't wait to share them with you!! 

Face Products for Oily Skin

I have super oily skin and it's really frustrating! Luckily I've found a few really great products at a relatively affordable price that really seem to help with the problem. Including one very unexpected product...

1. PanOxyl Face Wash: This face wash was recommended by my dermatologist and I love it! I've been using it for about 2 years now and I've tried switching it with others, but I always come back to this one. It contains Benzoyl Peroxide which really helps control breakouts. I buy mine at Walmart, but you can get it at any drugstore.

2. Milk of Magnesia: Now you're probably wondering why in the heck Milk of Magnesia is up there?!! Well, it's the cheapest, best product I've ever used for oil control and trust me, I've tried a ton! I discovered using Milk of Magnesia for oil control about 2 years ago. When I first read about it I was like no way am I putting something that is used to treat constipation on my face! Well, the more I read about it the more I started to wonder if it really worked. I went out and bought a bottle and tried it and I couldn't believe the difference it made! Normally after I put on my makeup my skin looks super shiny within about 1-2 hours. Milk of Magnesia usually helps control the oil for at least 6-8 hours. This was a huge improvement for me and I've never stopped using it since. *Make sure you get the Original unless you want your face smelling like cherries or peppermint :)

3. The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion: Although this is a night lotion, I use it on my face every morning. I absolutely love it. It helps control breakouts and helps with oil control, but doesn't dry out my skin at all. 

4. The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost: I really like the way this product makes my skin feel. It has a really soft texture. It helps to brighten your skin and helps to increase collagen production which helps keep those wrinkles away! 

5. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer: This primer really helps keep my makeup in place and helps with oil control. If you like using primers and you have oily skin then I highly recommend using this one. I've tried expensive brands such as Smashbox and I feel like this one works better.

6. Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation: This foundation is a great cheap option for oily skin. I have tried several foundations and so far this one is my favorite. It goes on really smoothly and it lasts all day. 

I know this seems like a lot of product for your face, but I use each of these every morning and I honestly have seen less breakouts and oil control throughout the day.

Here is my daily routine for these products:

1. Wash  face with PanOxyl

2. Moisturize with the Tea Tree lotion

3. Prep with the Vitamin C Skin Boost

4. Use a cotton round to apply Milk of Magnesia to your entire face. Then let it dry completely. You'll get a white chalky layer on your face once it dries which is what you want.

4. Once the Milk of Magnesia is dry then blend it all in with the Rimell primer

5. Finish with the Rimell Foundation

Favorite Face Products

1.Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer  2.L'oreal True Match Powder 3.Maskcara Illuminator  4.Body Shop Highlighter  5.Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation  6.Laura Mercier Setting Powder  7.MAC Blush  8.Rimell Natual Bronzer

Today i'm sharing my favorite face products. I've tried several brands, both expensive brands and drugstore brands and I've been able to find quite a few products at a lower price that I really like. There are some products that i'm willing to spend more on, but if a cheaper one does the same job then I'll definitely use it!

1.Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer: I went through a phase where I tried to find the best under eye concealer. I swear I tried 20 different types and some were ok, but I was never really satisfied. I also ended up wasting a lot of money. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't even like this Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer when I fist tried it, but for some reason I adjusted and now I can't go without it! It's definitely my favorite under eye concealer and beats any of the more expensive brands I've tried. It goes on really smoothly, doesn't crease and lasts all day.

2.L'oreal True Match Powder: I use this powder on my face every day after I apply my foundation and I really like it. I've tried MAC and other expensive brands and I feel like this one does a great job at a fraction of the cost.

3.Maskcara Illuminator: First of all, if you don't follow Maskcara's blog go follow it now! She's an amazing beauty blogger and I absolutely love her. This illuminator is from her makeup line and it's amazing. I typically mix it with my under eye concealer to help cover dark circles and brighten my eyes. It looks like it's going to be really shimmery when you open it, but once you blend it it's really pretty.

 4.Body Shop Highlighter: I love the body shop. They have amazing products, but I especially like their makeup. I bought this highlighter on a whim one day and i'm so glad I did. It's the perfect shade and it gives you the perfect highlight without being overwhelming or shimmery. I typically use this product under my eyes and at the tops of my cheeks for a highlighted look. I use the shade 01. The Body Shop is having a 50% off sale right now with free shipping, so go and get some of their products while they're on sale :)

5.Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation: I have super oily skin. It's bad and I hate it. I've tried so many different products to help control the oil and I finally pinned down some products that really help! This foundation is one of them (I'll share some others in my favorite skincare products post). It's super cheap and it lasts all day. If you have oily skin I highly recommend it.

6.Laura Mercier Setting Powder: This product is a little pricey, but 100% worth it! I had never used a Setting powder in my life until I came across this product on a beauty blog one day. I researched it and passed it up because it was pricey, but kept coming back to it. I finally ordered it and I'm so glad I did. I use this to set my makeup once i'm done with everything and it gives your face a really pretty finished look. It's hard to explain, but it just pulls everything together.

7.MAC Blush: I use the shade Peachy Keen. This blush is a simple peachy/pink color and I really like it. I've had it for almost a year and I still have a ton left. A little bit goes a long way. The main thing I like about it is that it's not super shimmery. I don't like shimmer on my face because i'm already oily and I don't want to add to the effect! MAC has a ton of great blush colors and I can't wait to try some other ones.

8.Rimell Natual Bronzer: I've been using this bronzer for years. It's cheap, it's not orange, it lasts all day, and it doesn't have shimmer like most bronzers do. I use the shade 022 "Sun Bronze".

*All items are linked above.

Favorite Eyeshadow Palettes

1. Urban Decay Naked 3  2. NYX Suede  3. Forever 21 Love & Beauty Natural  4. Urban Decay Naked 2

Finally... a makeup post! I love makeup almost as much as I love clothes, so I'm pretty excited to share some of my favorite products.

Today is all about my top favorite eyeshadow palettes. A couple of them are really affordable and a couple are a little more pricey, but totally worth the investment! I like to buy most of my makeup at Ulta because they always have a coupon that you can use and they have a rewards card that is pretty awesome. 

1. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette: I can't say enough good things about this palette! If you like rosy/gold/purple/pink tones then this is the palette for you.  It has a variety of shades and some are matte and some are have more shimmer, which I really love for layering.  I can honestly say I use this palette every day. It is quite expensive, but 100% worth the investment. I've had mine for about 6 months now and I expect it to last at least another 6 months, if not more.

2. NYX Suede Palette: I'm a huge fan of NYX Cosmetics. They are super affordable and great quality. I have a couple of their palettes and I honestly love them all, but I really love the colors in the Suede palette. It has some taupe and gold colors as well as a couple of dark tones that are really pretty. The best part? It's only around $12! The only thing about it, which is to be expected with cheaper eyeshadow, is that the color payoff isn't as good.You have to get a little more shadow on your brush in order to get the color to show up.

3. Forever 21 Love & Beauty Natural Palette: I love the colors in this palette. They are the prettiest shades of pink and gold/rosy tones. If you're looking for a super cheap palette and you like these colors, then i'd definitely purchase this one. It's under $7.00 and for the price I think it's great! The only downside is just like the NYX palette, because it's cheaper, the color payoff isn't as great. 

4. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - Urban Decay has 3 palettes like this and honestly, you could choose either one and i'm sure you'd be super happy, it just depends on what shades of color you like. This one has more earthy grey/taupe/brown tones where the Naked 3 palette is much more purple/pink. I honestly love both of them and switch back and forth between the two often, but i'd still have to say the Naked 3 is my favorite.  Add one of the Naked palettes to your Christmas list, I promise you'll thank me later! 

Palettes I can't wait to try: Urban Decay Naked (the 1st palette) , Lorac Pro and Pro 2 Palettes, and NYX Love in Paris (Parisian Chic).

*All items are linked above

Green Vest & Stripes

Vest: Old Navy (same vest, different color)  Shirt: Old Navy  Jeans: F21 (similar)  Boots: Kohls (almost identical) Watch: F21  Necklace: Old Navy

Gosh I love Old Navy! They are killing it lately with their styles. I've seen this striped turtleneck everywhere lately. I have to admit that I was kind of skeptical about it, but I got it on a great sale and decided that I'd give it a chance and i'm so glad I did. It's a perfect staple piece for winter outfits.

These vests... I can't say enough about them!They had the same ones last year and I bought one in every color. I was so glad when they brought them back this year, especially when they added this cute green color! Although I couldn't find this color online, I did link the other colors that they have. I've also seen the green one in stores. You can still get 30% off your entire purchase at Old Navy with the code EARLYBIRD.  

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Leopard & Neon

Sweater: F21  Skirt: Old Navy Clutch: Old Navy (Similar) Shoes: Forever Young (similar)  Necklace: Old Navy  Watch: Kohls  Bracelet: F21

I love leopard with bright colors! Such a fun combo. This sweater is really comfortable and fun. It also doesn't hurt that it's under $20! I typically do most of my shopping at Forever 21 online because it's much easier than trying to browse through their store. They almost always have a 10% off coupon that you can use when you checkout. They also always do free shipping on $50 or more.  Here is the current 10% off coupon code: 10LUFQW 

This skirt is on sale right now and you can get an extra 30% off with the code EARLYBIRD. I love this skirt, especially with sweaters tucked in. It's a great staple item for your closet! 

*All items are linked above

Cobalt Blue

 Sweater: J Crew Factory  Coat: Old Navy  Jeans: Forever21 (Similar) Boots: Old Navy  Necklace: Mindy Mae's Market (Similar - on sale!)

This entire outfit is on sale today!! This coat is such a great way to add some color to your winter wardrobe. I have so many tops that I can't wait to pair it with. Right now you can get it for 30% off online or in store with the code EARLYBIRD!  I will say that it runs a little big. I had to go down one size. 

This sweater is also on sale! I bought it at the J Crew Outlet store at Traverse Mountain and it was a little cheaper than it is online. Their entire store is up to 60% off and you can get an additional 15% off purchases of $75 or more and an additional 20% off purchases of $125 or more. The sale ends today, so act fast! It's such a comfortable sweater and it can be paired with jeans for a more casual look or with a skirt for a more dressed up look.

*All items are linked above.