Target has the BEST Collections

Target is one of my favorite stores hands down. I especially love the partnerships they forge with designers. Most recently Target paired up with Nieman Marcus and some of their top designers such as Tracy Reese (designer of this shirt!) and Oscar De La Renta. I did not end up buying anything from the collection on my shopping trip yesterday but it was tempting, especially as everything was 70% off!

Can't wait to see what partnership Target comes up with next!

XOXO
Kelsey

Notes of Nothingness

Who doesn't love getting a letter in the mail? Something that I have gotten into since graduation is sending snail mail to my friends. 75% of the time I get flooded with phone calls/texts/emails saying how it brightened up their day just a little bit- this is my favorite part! I've even gotten photos of the card I sent texted back to me (usually followed by a smiley emoticon :-) ).

The other 25% of the time I never hear back but I'm fairly certain they smiled a little bit more that day when they opened it.

So today, I had some free time and I decided to toll Pintrest for some DIY notecard inspiration. I saw this Girl, You Rock notecard and thought I might take a stab at recreating something similar.

In comes the glitter, rhinestones, hot pink paint, gold wrapping paper, hot glue, and sharpies!

Sometimes I send snail mail for something I could just as easily text.

These cards were very much that type of card. They ended up with very little content and probably too much sparkle!

Finished card for Kate

I've made little cards like this before but for the first time I added a bit of over-the-topness to the envelope. Using the flap for a stencil I used some scrap wrapping paper and traced out the exact size of the flap to be cut out and glued to the envelope. I am really pleased with how it turned out and it makes the envelopes so exciting even before the card has a chance to take its effect!

If your in the mood for more note card inspiration check out one of my favorite designers, Kate Spade, to see some of her whimsical stationary.  http://www.katespade.com/cute-stationery 

Need ideas about what to say? I've been known to walk up and down the card isle at CVS and read the inside messages (and maybe take a photo or two to remember it) for inspiration. 

I hope my friends don't read this post so they will be surprised...

Off to the mailbox to mail my letters, 

XOXO

Kelsey

News Years Resolutions 2013

I know I know... I haven't posted since MAY of 2012. It really doesn't seem like it has been that long but the post does not lie. I do not really have a great excuse as to why I've stopped. I think a part of me feels like this was tied to part of my life/my dreams of what my life would become that didn't pan out so sometimes writing this blog gets me a little sad. 

In the last half of 2012 I feel like I lost focus for what I wanted in life. I definitely got caught up in the day to day of the real world and this was a low priority. But 2013 is a new year and I have a new beginning to regain direction and take the appropriate steps to get my life back on track. 

In 2013 I want to accomplish...

1. Taking the GMAT
2. Complete a sprint triathlon 
3. Travel more
4. Start blogging again 
5. Floss more
6. Feel glamorous everyday for me

That last one is close to my heart. Since moving to Milwaukee I don't want to loose my excitement over the superficial things. Getting glamorous in the mornings still makes a difference in my mood and my outlook on life. If thats all it takes to put a smile on my face then I can't justify not doing it. 

Happy 2013 Bloggisphere  

What are some of your New Years resolutions? Need some inspiration... check some easy ideas from one of my favorite sites, fitsugar.com 

Looking forward to renewing my dedication to this blog. 

Lots of unconditional love,

Kelsey 

Life Update: Summer Post Graduation

Wow I can't believe I haven't written in over a month! Thats so crazy because I love to write and share beauty things with everyone online through this blog and with YouTube. In the last month I have graduated which is sort of sad because I can no longer really claim to be a "College" cosmetic *tear*

Instead I am in this funny in between time in my life where I have not started my full time job yet but I am out of school. This is really my last summer vacation! I am starting my position with Nielsen doing market research in July. Its not a career in beauty but I am really excited to start with such an interesting company. I have always been super interested in marketing data and the random facts that help marketers make better decisions and now I will be able to help translate those facts for different client companies! How much fun!

Another little update is I changed my hair right before graduation. It was made darker with the help of Revlon die and I added bangs a-la the Aveda institute. The darker color was inspired by who else but Kim Kardashian. How can you not love their long exotic locks! When everyone else is adding highlights for summer I went the total other direction!

My summer past time is getting in shape and doing DIY projects that I will bring into my new apartment... where ever I end up. It is still up in the air at this point. Two websites I have been heading to every day to look for fitness tips and decorating ideas are www.fitsugar.com and www.casasugar.com. They are both from the same company (sugar.com) but are different sections of the website. Both sites are really easy to navigate and filled with tons of ideas. They even have a beauty page called bellasugar!

I have a few new products to take pictures of and post on that I will do this week. I can't wait to get back to posting more regularly! I miss it so much!

XOXO
Kelsey

What's that Glow?! Pearl Glow Primer of Course!

A few weeks ago I remembered I had a travel sized Tarina Tarantino primer stashed away somewhere and I wanted to bring it back out and see what it was all about. It came with a holiday set I use as a jewelry box. The first day I wore it I received loads of complements noting how I looked radiant, not a word I usually hear. This new found radiance is addictive! If I can find a little product that can land those types of complements, its worth blogging about!

My Pearl Glow Primer is a trial sized (0.33 oz) like I said but the full sized is 1 oz. and retails for $32. you can find it here at sephora.

I like to apply 1 1/2 pumps all over my face after my moisturizer and before my foundation. I have heard other people like to mix it with their foundation but I much prefer them separate. The funniest thing about the primer is that is smells exactly like boiled peanuts. I do not see any allergen warnings that it actually contains peanuts (an odd ingredient to put in makeup to begin with) but it definitely has that smell. The good news is that it does not make your face smell like the floor of the bleachers at a baseball game.

If your looking for something to add in your routine that will give you that coveted youthful glow, give Tarina Tarantino's Pearl Glow Primer a shot.

Off to finish writing a paper for business policy. Can you believe it? This is my last paper of college. This year has gone by so fast. 

XOXO

Kelsey

Easy Day Old Hair Style: The Braided Bun

First before I start this post let be give a massive apology to everyone who looks to my blog regularly (and  an extra big one to myself) for not posting in weeks. I love looking up new things to write about and what beauty trends are hot etc. BUT as my senior year comes to a close (1 more week!) I have been hustleing to...
1. find a job (PS I will be working with Nielsen after graduation!!)
2. get all assignments completed
3. pass on the title of President to my organization (American Marketing Association)
4. spend as much time as I can with my friends before I leave them forever. This has been the hardest part for me as I know I will miss everyone so much when I head off into the real world.

On to the post about hair!

Since I've been so busy I find myself washing my hair less and less. I am constantly finding ways to extend day old (and 3 day old) hair in ways that still look polished and clean. A few favorites to help with this are my trusty Oscar Blandi dry shampoo and Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner. These two together help to make your hair smell amazing and soak up excess oil. 

But sometimes even this dynamic duo needs a little styling support. This style is a take on my go-to super high bun. 

Step 1: Comb your hair into a slick high ponytail and secure with a hair tie. I like to use a round brush because it gives a really smooth texture to the ponytail. 

Step 2: Secure any loose ends with bobbi pins and use hairspray as needed.

Step 3: Braid the ponytail and secure with another hair tie. You could stop here for a Kardashian/Princess Jasmine style.

Step 4: Loop the braid around the base of your ponytail and secure with another hair tie or bobbi pins. I like to use a hair tie personally. 

Step 5: Admire how cute you look in the mirror!

You can skip the last step if your in a hurry. 

What hair styles do you gravitate towards when your hair is feeling a bit dirty? Those are usually the best days to use a curling iron but that also involves time investment. Let me know in the comments! I would love to check out your posts on easy hair styles. 

I'm contemplating changing before heading out to happy hour to bond with a long time friend over margaritas but its unseasonably cold outside today and my fugg boots (fake uggs) are oh so warm. Hopefully no one will care that I am wearing oversized flannel and look like I could cut down a tree at any moment!

XOXO

Kelsey

Quotes From Estee A Success Story

I recently started reading a new book after finishing One Fifth Avenue over spring break. This month's non-school related book is Estee: A Success Story written by Estee Lauder. 

I picked up this gem while thrift store hunting back in December with my mother. It cost me a whole $1.50 but the pearls of wisdom I have gleaned from the first chapter are priceless. I actually find the author, Estee Lauder herself, to be incredibly shallow and cocky but in an endearing way. I find myself enjoying her blatant confidence and conviction.

Here is a quote I particularly love:

Beauty is the best incentive to self-respect. You may have great inner resources, but they don't show up as confidence when you don't feel pretty. People are more apt to believe you and like you when you you know you look fine. And when the world approves, self-respect is just a little easier. The pursuit of beauty is honorable.

I'm just a few chapters into it but I would already recommend it to beauty and business students alike. 

Back to reality! Its time to start writing that personal selling assignment due tomorrow. 

XOXO,

Kelsey

Gym Makeup Tips

I have been getting into some new fitness classes/DVDs lately. I love how empowered you feel after an hour of shaking and dancing at Zumba or 20 minutes of circuit training with Jillian Michaels. What I'm not a huge fan of is how sweaty and gross you are. If you are like me and always on the run, pulling yourself together after a workout can be a challenge. I recently saw this article on FitSugar.com about quick makeup tips for the gym. (Read article here).  In a nutshell, here is what they recommended to help freshen up.

1. Use a makeup wipe to remove all the sweat and dirt that accumulates during a workout. I love the Target UP brand makeup removing wipes.
2. Use a tinted moisturizer. Save room in your gym bag by eliminating the need for moisturizer, foundation and concealer. I highly recommend Origin's VitaZing tinted moisturizer.  
3. Multi use tinted lip balm. Multi use because you can not only add color to your lips but also to your cheeks as an instant blush. I like Bobbi Brown pot rouge for added color on cheeks and lips. 



Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge



Origins VitaZing tinted moisturizer 

4. Dry Shampoo. Use a powered shampoo to help absorb sweat and grease in your hair while it refreshes. I highly suggest you check out Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo from Sephora. It as a precision tip to aim at the roots. 

What workouts have you been getting into lately? How do you stay fresh after?

I'm off to bed after a quick stop at Hulu to catch up on my Thursday night shows I missed yesterday.

XOXO

Kelsey

Glitter Gel Manicure

While in Miami... yes I know I have used that same opening for the past few blogs...while in Miami my friend and I decided to get our nails done. We went to the SoBe spa (short for South Beach not the drink which is what we first thought haha!) and had an amazing mani-pedi. I fell in love with the new gel nails that have different colored glitter inside of the gel. 

The glitter gel was more expensive the the traditional gel manicure... a staggering $90! The nail technician was super sweet and gave me a "spring break" deal but even with the discount, the price was hard to chew. What I love about the glitter is that it is part of the gel (like I said before) so it does not chip at all. Its like having permanent glitter polish on.

Now to be honest these nails are not my usual pale pink and short (read they are not my style) but I really loved how festive they were for spring break and I'm happy to know that I can paint over them just like real nails for my interview this Thursday. If you love getting fake nails and you don't mind a little glitz I would highly recommend you check into the glitter gel.

Does anyone else have trouble doing simple activities with fake nails? I'm having the hardest time taking out my contact lenses and picking small thing up haha!

Off to the book store to pick up some page dividers. This is not really beauty related but I'm going on a no spending pledge that started Monday where I won't spend money for the entire week in hopes of saving up a bit. The page dividers are for a class assignment so those do not count. I gave myself $20 in emergency money that the dividers will be coming out of. I'll report back at the end of the week and let you know how much I ended up spending on this frugal challenge of mine. 

XOXO

Kelsey

Candle Love: Yankee Candle in Lavender Vanilla

Did you know that smell is the strongest link to memories? One whiff and you instantly remember an ex-boyfriend or how your childhood friend's house used to smell growing up. I am a big believer in having your personal space smell amazing so when others walk into your room they know instantly that it is a reflection of you. Its also a great way to cover up the random smells that end up drifting in from the dorm hall ways (Our hallway always seems to smell like someone is getting high a few rooms away! Not my idea of how I want my personal space to smell).

Vanilla has always been one of my favorite fragrances in anything from perfume, lotions, even cupcakes smell better when they are vanilla. When I saw this Lavender Vanilla at Yankee Candle I fell in love. Its the perfect balance of calm and cozy. The vanilla is the main scent in this candle but the lavender helps to make it unique and feminine. 

This candle is the 12 oz. size and it retails for $20. You can find it at Yankee Candle retail locations and  I have seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond as well. Here is a link for Yankee Candle buy one get one 50% off online.

Do you have a favorite candle? What fragrances are you drawn to?

XOXO

Kelsey