Finding My Wedding Dress!

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know i’ve been a bridal consultant at Annalise Bridal Boutique for quite a while now! It will be 4 years since I started this June!! Time flies!! I absolutely love working at the shop and helping brides find their wedding dress! Those special moments I get to be a part of just can’t be beat!

Once Kyle proposed, I knew the only place I’d want to find my dress was Annalise! I already had a pretty good idea of what I wanted from trying so many dresses on over the years but definitely still wanted the traditional bridal shopping experience with my friends and family. Luckily since I’ve been a bridal consultant for a while, I was able to narrow down my picks to a small list of dresses I wanted to try to not overwhelm myself! In total I tried on probably around 10-12 dresses! But remember I’ve tried on plenty of dresses at the shop in the past so had a good idea what I would like/not like!

Even though I know quite a bit more about wedding gowns than the average bride, I was still so nervous for my appointment!! Choosing your wedding dress is a huge decision and can really decide many other factors of your big day so I was anxious. When we arrived to Annalise, we were welcomed with warm smiles of my boss/owner Lindsey and co-worker Katlyn! Lindsey was so sweet to get us some sweet treats to snack on during the appointment and of course there was champagne for sipping! All the girls got settled on the couches, along with my mom and Kyle’s mom and we got started!!

All of my bridesmaids were able to make it to my appointment and it was so special to have them all there! Luckily i’ve got an amazing group of friends/family who were nothing but supportive and only shared opinions when i asked! **tip from a bridal consultant: definitely make sure to bring people who will only be positive and not bring you down during your appointment! Shopping for a wedding dress is already a stressful experience for some brides and you don’t want anyone who may be negative towards you there! ….Or too many opinions!

My mom crying after I put on the very first dress! ^^^ LOL (which ended up being the “dress”!!)

// A few of my favorite dresses //

Every dress I tried on was absolutely gorgeous but I just could not love any more than the dress I chose! I had seen it online a few months before and had shared it with Lindsey! It was a combination of a few key things I would love in a dress. We did not carry this particular dress in the store but were able to borrow the dress for me to try on!!! I am so happy with my decision and can’t wait to wear it on October 17th!!!

My wedding dress shopping experience was so fun and easy! i am grateful for all the people who have made my overall wedding experience so amazing and I am excited to celebrate with them all soon!

190 days to go!!!

Our Engagement Photo Shoot!

One of the biggest changes that has happened since last year is I am engaged!! Kyle proposed to me on the day of my Shop Harvie launch party (blog post to come) and it was honestly one of the best days of my life. So many emotions and almost everyone I loved was there. I will never forget that day!!!

Ever since we got engaged I imagined our engagement photos and was so excited to have professional photos of us! We don’t have very many professional quality photos so I was super excited to have new images to display around the apartment. I could really just stare at these photos over and over again!! Our photographer Courtney did such an amazing job shooting our engagement session and I am overjoyed with how they turned out. Check out her work at www.courtneymorganphoto.com

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Since our wedding is going to be on the formal side, I knew I wanted to do one formal location for our engagement shoot and one location a little bit more fun/laid back. After doing plenty of research and discussing it with our photographer, we decided on the VA State Capitol for location #1. The large staircase mixed with stunning capitol building just can’t be beat! i wanted our outfits to be a bit more fancy for this location and so decided on a gorgeous lace embroidered dress for me and a nice navy jacket/khaki pant combo for kyle. I’m super happy with the way these two outfits looked together.

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The day our engagement session was scheduled ended up being a bit overcast (perfect for photos!) but extremely windy. I think my curls lasted about .5 seconds haha. But I didn’t let that bother me and I’m so happy I didn’t! I remember sitting at my desk in the morning just praying it would not rain on us! We got super lucky and had the best lighting for photos.

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For location #2 we decided on the new pedestrian bridge down at Brown’s Island. I had seen a few couples use this location in the past and just could not get over how perfect it was. I love the view of the city, river, and the shots on the bridge. I decided to make our looks a bit more casual and opted for a maxi dress while Kyle wore a casual button down shirt and pants.

At this point the windy day had completely flattened out my hair which made it fun to just really embrace the wind/casual vibes and get so many gorgeous shots! I love how the breeze picked up my maxi dress in so many shots.

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It really is hard to choose favorites for this post because I honestly love them all. They are photos I know we will look back at for years to come. Courtney did such an amazing job and I can’t wait for her to shoot our wedding in October. Stay tuned for more posts as I continue the wedding planning journey and all the fun days ahead.

 

Shop My Engagement Shoot Look

My white lace dress is no longer available but I’ve linked similar options!

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20 favorite new products for 2020

It’s been quite a while since I’ve shared my favorite beauty products and now that I am breaking out the blog again in 2020 I figured this is a great place to start! I love trying new products and am constantly looking for what I truly believe works and actually enoy using.

Here are my 20 favorite new products for 2020 to add in to your beauty routine this year!

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Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

I”ve had my eye on this hairdryer for probably the last two years. so many times I sat on the couch and was tempted to say yolo and purchase off qvc lol. I just never could get past the price… i mean it’s a good chunk of change. But after my hair stylist recommended it to me to help my hair grow for my wedding + a beautiful thing called AFTERpay usa was invented… i did it. I bought it.

let me tell you it was worth it! I ABSOLUTELY love my dyson supersonic and recommend to everyone. since using my hair feels healthier, looks shiner, and it gives me an amazing blowout. highly recommend for anyone looking to invest in a high quality hairdryer.

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Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum

Wedding prep has really made me start to take big steps for my skin health. i’ve recently started getting a facial done once a month at luna spa here in richmond, va. highly recommend! Acne is something i’ve always struggled with and still do UNFORTUNATELY. since being on accutane my acne has definitely improved but i still get frequent breakouts, especially around my time of the month.

this product was RECOMMENDED to me by my facialist erica and omg it works. I will put a dab of this serum on any blemishes i have before going to bed and in the morning they look so. much. better. definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a quick solution for blemishes!

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Tula Hydrating Day + Night Cream

my new favorite moisturizer. my skin feels so hydrated and ready to go when I put it on! I have combination skin and wake up with dry patches often. I love how this MOISTURIZER really sinks into my skin and does not get in the way of my makeup application!

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BEAUTYCOUNTER Charcoal Facial Mask

so going back to wedding prep. my facialist also RECOMMENDED I do a charcoal mask once or twice a week to help unclog my pores + erase blackheads. (holy nose blackheads!)

a friend of mine sells beautycounter so i figured i’d support her and test out their charcoal face mask! i absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels after this and it really helps reduce any imperfections.

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Hair Hearts Vitamins

i’ve been on the hunt for any and every way to get my hair to grow back. fall of 2018 i decided i wanted to chop it all off and while i loved my chic bob.. i’m ready to get my long locks back.

i found these hair hearts vitamins through hair by chrissy on instagram. you’ve probably heard of her, but if you haven’t she pretty much does the hair of every influencer out there. i was hesitant to try any type of vitamin fearing they would be a waste of money but i’ve definitely noticed growth in my hair since starting these and am excited to continue!

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Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse

i had a very bad habit of hitting the tanning beds all throughout HIGH SCHOOL and college. now that i am older and UNDERSTAND how bad they are for you, finding a good self tanner has really become a priority for me. this one by loving tan is a winner in my eyes.

self tanning can be challenging… the first time i ever tried to self tan… i got to work the next day and realized the front of my leg was a COMPLETELY different color than the back. lol. not good. luckily with time your application will improve.

i love this formula by loving tan and think overall my tan comes out streak free and blended beautifully. i highly recommend getting the tanning glove by this brand as well.

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Micellar Cleansing Water

say goodbye to makeup remover wipes and hello to micellar cleansing water. i love this product so much and it works amazing at getting all your makeup off, including stubborn mascara. i put a small amount on a cotton pad and wipe everything off in just a few minutes. plus one bottle really lasts a while!

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Bumble and Bumble Glow Thermal Protection Mist

i love when i go home from the salon with a new product to try and actually end up really enjoying it. i’ve never really used a thermal protection spray in the past but again back to wedding prep… i want my hair as healthy as can be. not only does this smell amazing, it makes your hair super smooth and protects from heat damage. win, win, win.

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Flawless Finishing Touch

alright so lets get real. we’ve all got peach fuzz around our upper lip. i love this product for when i am in between threading sessions and need to get rid of a few hairs around my lip. i will also use this to smooth my entire face for a flawless makeup application.

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Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

Olaplex no 3 is a great leave in product to help repair and strengthen your hair. you leave on for 10-15 minutes, rinse out, and you’re left with the smoothest hair i’ve ever felt. i recommend to everyone!

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TATCHA The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

primers have always been one of those products that just confuse me. is this actually working or am i just paying $35 for another product? i’ve DEFINITELY used primers in the past i’ve felt have done ABSOLUTELY nothing but this tatcha silk primer is a game changer. I ABSOLUTELY love the way it feels on my skin and how pore perfecting it finishes. it is on the PRICiEr side but i highly recommend for any special events!

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Sonic Makeup Brush Cleaner

When i saw this advertised a few months ago i knew i needed to try it. i am notorious for leaving my makeup brushes unclean for way too long. cleaning each one INDIVIDUALLY is so just too much work for once a week. this brush cleaner is a game changer and can clean multiple brushes at once. definitely worth the investment for any other lazy brush cleaners out there!

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Wet Brush Original Detangler

i really can’t remember life before being introduced to the wet brush. this thing is magical. any knots, tangles, snags in your hair come out so quickly/easily. oh and 'i’m sure you picked it up by the name but you can use this brush with wet hair!!! no more 20 minutes of painful de-tangling with a comb.

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ACTIVE HYDRATION BODY REPLENISH

i love everything about this product. the amount of hydration this lotion gives your body is amazing. it has become my go to all over body lotion and i use daily. leaves your skin glowing and hydrated all day.

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Morphe

35O Nature Glow Eyeshadow Palette

i’m a big fan of neutral EYE SHADOW palettes. i’ve never been one to use crazy bright colors (well except my blue EYE SHADOW phase) this palette provides the perfect combination of neutrals to create so many beautiful eye makeup looks. it’s super affordable and great quality!

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Urban Decay

De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray

setting spray for me is super important in my makeup routine. i have combination skin so while in the morning i wake up dry.. by the end of the day my face is pretty oily. i love setting my makeup with this setting spray from urban decay. helps control oil and keeps my face i just spent 30 minutes crafting (lol) from moving around too much during the day!

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Redken

Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Conditioner

i am always on the hunt for a good purple shampoo. being a brunette trying to have blonde hair is truly a challenge. it can turn brassy in the blink of an eye. this purple shampoo by redken really does the trick and helps keep away any brassy from popping out. i will use this every other wash to help hold my color.

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Kristen Ess Satin Pillowcase

i was gifted this pillow case last year and i’ve got to say i am SURPRISED how much i love it. not only is it super comfy to sleep on but it helps your hair keep its natural oils and prevent damage!

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Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

i love every product from skin ceuticals but their hydrating b5 gel is definitely a favorite. on days where i’m feeling extra dry, i’ll put a few drops of this serum on top of my tula moisturizer and it really helps give me just that little extra hydration i need. oh and it leaves you with a gorgeous glow.

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Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray

last but not least, thickening texture spray. yes please. i love this product because not only can you use it at your roots for volume but also as a “hairspray” for a super beachy TEXTURED hairstyle. i love how light it feels and does not leave your hair crunchy like some products do.

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10 Things You Must See and Do While Visiting Richmond, VA!

In the past five years since I have lived in Richmond, it has grown tremendously! From the dozens of breweries popping up to the swarms of post-graduates moving here, Richmond really has come to life! We recently were named one of the "10 Coolest Cities to visit in 2018" by Forbes.com! I thought it would be fun to come on the blog today and share some of my personal favorite places to see and what to do in Richmond! Hope you all love my Home Sweet Home as much as I do.

image via hd bros

image via hd bros

1. Breweries

Wherever you are in Richmond, I guarantee there is a brewery near by! They have become a regular after work/nice weather activity for us Richmond residents. Theres too many to mention in this post but I'll share our go-to's! If you are here on a Thursday, try Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for food truck Thursday! They'll have everything from tacos to churros. It's our favorite! Saturday/Sunday afternoons are the perfect opportunity to brewery hop through Scotts Addition! Start at Ardent Craft Ales and make your way to Isley Brewing Company, The Veil Brewing Co. and Vasen Brewing Company. Oh and if you have any cider lovers in the group, you'll be right near Blue Bee Cider & Buskey Cider. Here's a full list of breweries in RVA. 

2. Richmond flying squirrels

You can't come to Richmond during the Spring/Summer without going to a Flying Squirrels game! We are lucky to have the Double A team for the San Francisco Giants in our backyard. From the traditional ballpark food to the yells of the crowd, definitely add this to your to do list! Oh and if you did not get enough craft beers at the breweries, they serve them at the games! 

Image via mIlb

Image via mIlb

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I worked at The Flying Squirrels for 4 Summers during college!

3. Maymont park

Maymont Park is a historic estate with over 100-acres of land right here in Richmond, VA. From the Maymont Mansion, the Japanese and Italian gardens to the different historic exhibits, there is so much beauty and history to see in this one-location! If you're lucky to have beautiful sunny weather during your day in RVA, definitely make Maymont a stop on your list! 

4. Museums 

Richmond has so many great museums to visit while you are here. A few are even free! On Boulevard you will find a local favorite, The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts! On Fridays they offer happy hour from 5:30-7:30! Sip on your favorite drink while you sit out on the patio or browse the artwork! If you are looking to explore more of Richmond's history, try The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, The Virginia Holocaust Museum, The Black History Museum and Culture Center of Virginia, or The Edgar Allan Poe Museum! Lastly, if you have the kiddos along with you, try the Children's Museum of Richmond or the Science Museum of Virginia. Here's a full list of Richmond Museums to try during your stay!

image via hd bros

image via hd bros

5. Barcade

A recent addition to the RVA area is the Barcade! The Circuit Arcade Bar just opened up in the Fall of 2017 right in the heart of Scotts Addition (Add it as a stop on your Brewery Hop!) Enjoy your favorite beer/wine (they have local options!) while playing all your favorite past time games you forgot about! They have everything from Mario Kart and Guitar Hero to Ski Ball and Air Hockey! It's like grown up Chucke E Cheese but with better games! I'm sure we will be seeing more of these Barcades popping up in the coming months! 

6. brunch

If you are in need of a Bloody Mary or Mimosa during your visit, don't worry Richmond is filled with the best brunch spots! From the Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles at Lulus to the Brunch Bar at Strawberry Street Cafe, you'll find everything you could want right here. Grab a $10 pitcher of mimosas at Sidewalk Cafe and have a dance with Edwina, the owner or head over to Can Can Brasserie for delicious Eggs Benedict! Richmond brunch will not disappoint you! 

My Favorite RVA Brunch Spots

Lulus

Sidewalk Cafe

Joe's Inn

Star-lite Diner

Strawberry Street Cafe

Helen's

Can Can Brasserie

Weezie's Kitchen

 

7. Brown's Island/Belle Isle

If you find yourself in Richmond during a beautiful day, head over to the Brown's Island/ Belle Isle area for amazing views of downtown Richmond and the James River. You will find everything from hiking and biking trails to more historic landmarks and even a few sunbathing areas! During Fridays in May and June, Friday Cheers events bring thousands of Richmond residents for live music, food, and drinking by the river! On your way to Brown's Island stop by Capitol Square to see the State Capitol and Governor's Mansion!

8. CARYTOWN

Carytown is a must for any first time Richmond visitors! Stroll down Cary Street to enjoy plenty of shops, restaurants, & more! 

My Favorite Shops

Traveling Chic Boutique

Lou Lou Boutiques

Fabrik

Ashby

My Favorite Restaurants

Mellow Mushroom

The Daily

Carytown Burgers & Fries

Nacho Mama's

More Favorites

Byrd Theatre

Garden Grove Brewery 

Bev's Homemade Ice cream

 

9. Rooftop bars

Rooftop Bars have slowly made their way into Richmond the past few years! If you are looking for a good happy hour location with great views of the city try the Quirk Hotel or Graduate Richmond's rooftop bars! Both offer great views of downtown Richmond and are unique hotels to stay at during your time here! My other favorite rooftop bar is the Hof Garden at the Hofheimer! In Scott's Addition, this rooftop venue will offer you the sights of Broad Street and The Flying Squirrels Stadium!

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10. vcu basketball game

I may be slightly biased as a VCU alum, but catching a VCU Basketball Game is definitely an activity to add to the to do list! VCU fans are some of the best in the country and radiate so much excitement and energy at every game! From the fans to the pep band, VCU Basketball games are the place to be. Get tickets early, they sell out! (Sorry to any U of R fans out there!) GO RAMS! 

IMage via vcu athletics

IMage via vcu athletics

Check out this amazing video for more beautiful RVA!

Video By HD BROS

 

xoxo

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Recap of our "Spring Break" Trip!

We are back home from our trip and I wanted to come on the blog to recap everything we did while we were away! I can't believe it has already been a week! Time flies. Everyone on the Royal Carribbean Enchantment of the Seas were so friendly and kind! I jokingly named this blog post "Spring Break Trip" because technically this was Kyle's first spring break! Even though I have already graduated, Kyle is finishing up his degree, which made the only time he was able to take a vacation during college spring break. When he was in college originally, being on the baseball team kept him too busy to ever go on a spring break trip. I was lucky and got to go each of my four years! So... I felt it was my job to bring him on his first one! (I also just wanted an excuse for vacation myself ;)

Our trip was a much needed little vacay away from work, school, and Richmond! Kyle and I both laughed when we got home about how even though we were only with each other for the last week, we felt closer than before we left! Spending all that time with him made me fall more in love with him. 

Day 1: Miami

If you've never been on a cruise before, typically you start and end at the same location! Ours was Miami, Florida. So as you know from my last blog post, our original flight to Miami was cancelled! It's funny because while we were waiting for our flight, I let a girl borrow my charger and her early flight to Miami had been delayed like 6 hours at that point. While I was talking to her, in the back of my mind I was thinking "Thank gosh we did not book that flight". After 6 hours of waiting, her flight finally left to Miami! Little did I know, a few minutes later we would be listening to the flight attendants let us know our flight was cancelled! :/ I was now wishing I had booked that other flight! At least they took off. It was a bummer! But, I really tried to not let it get to me! We re-arranged for another flight leaving later that night and headed back home! We only live 15 minutes from the airport so we thought an Uber home was better than sitting at the airport for 5 more hours! We went over to our favorite Mexican restaurant across from our apartment for lunch and maybe had a margarita or two ;) before a quick nap! We headed back to the airport and luckily this time all went well! We made it to Miami at around 1:00 am. We were exhausted! 

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The next morning we had a little time before we boarded the cruise, so we decided to grab coffee (much needed after little sleep!) and explored the city! 

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We made it to the ship and surprisingly the boarding process was pretty quick and easy! This was my first cruise with Royal Caribbean so I did not really know what to expect! We got to Port of Miami around 11:30 and were on the ship with a drink in hand by 12:30! We spent the rest of the day relaxing on the ship before we started our departure! 

 

day 2: Nassau, bahamas

When we woke up on Tuesday morning, the boat was docked in the Bahamas! We decided to not plan any type of excursion or anything for this day so we just got off and went exploring! We were bombarded by people trying to sell us things and take us places right away! Kyle is so sweet and always stops to tell everyone "no thank you". I'm the kind of person who just looks the other way and keeps walking! We walked around the city for quite a while visiting shops and even grabbing a dunkin donuts coffee! (did we even leave the USA?!) After that we walked to the public beach they had near the port called "Junakoo Beach". When we arrived we were a bit disappointed. It was already super packed and any sand not taken by other people was covered in rocks! 

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So after being pretty disappointed with the public beach, we decided to take a taxi over to Atlantis! It was a very last minute decision but we are SO glad we did it!! Atlantis was gorgeous, the food & drinks were delicious, and we had such a great day together!

With your one -day pass to Atlantis you really do get access to everything from the many different pool areas to the water park and aquarium. Kyle wanted to do all the water rides so of course I tagged along! The very first ride we ended up wipeing out at the end (ouch) but after that every other ride went smooth. Our favorite was definitely one of the tube rides that ended by going through an aquarium! It sounds weird but it was pretty amazing! I looked up and 3-feet above my head was a shark swimming around! 

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I received SO many compliments on this bathing suit from Red Dress Boutique that day! I love the little tassel details and it is not expensive! Both the top and bottom are $24! 

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Shop

day 3: cococay, bahamas

The third day was a bit disappointing! We woke up to the sound of our captain telling us our day on Cococay had to be cancelled due to weather! With certain ports you have to be taken to the island on little ferry boats but because of the wind they did not think it was safe to take us out on those boats! We ended up having a day at sea while we headed to our next stop, Key West. At first we were pretty bummed the destination had been cancelled but the weather on the ship ended up being beautiful! We sipped on mimosa's and margarita's all day and I could not complain! 

 

Day 4: Key West

Our next stop on the cruise was Key West, Florida! We started our day off at Two Friends Patio for a Bloody Mary! The restaurant was right on the corner of a busy street with a huge outdoor patio area! Definitely felt like a beach restaurant. After Bloody Mary's we walked down Duval Street and took in everything around! It may have been a Thursday but Duval Street was full of many people! Duval Street is like the Bourbon Street of Key West. Plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars while you make your way to the southern most part of the U.S. 

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While walking down Duval Street, we passed a scooter and bike rental shop! I convinced Kyle to rent scooters with me so we could explore more of Key West than just the places we could walk to! We filled out all the paperwork and were each handed a scooter. Before they let you on the roads, they make you do a test around the parking lot to make sure you can drive safely. Well... I failed this test. I was TERRIBLE. I barely could drive the scooter and kept crashing into everything around me!! So after failing the quick driving test, we switched over to bikes for the day! I could handle that (; We explored the different neighborhoods and areas around Key West before heading to the beach for the rest of the afternoon! We grabbed fish tacos and yummy drinks at Mangoes before heading back to the ship! SO yummy and a great view of Duval St!

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Day 5: back to miami

We were officially back in Miami and  off the cruise ship by around 11 am! Our hotel for the day was The National Hotel Miami and it did not disappoint! Check in was not until 4 pm but the staff took our bags to keep while we grabbed lunch and spent time by the pool! The hotel was right on the beach so we could easily go in between the pool and beach! We spent the day relaxing by the pool until it was time to check in! Lucky for us, the hotel upgraded our room to the BEST suite they had! It was huge and our patio looked out to the pool. The National Hotel really made our last day special! We were pretty tired after a long week of fun so decided to walk to a dinner spot just a few blocks away from our hotel called Sweet Liberty. The food was so good and the atmosphere was even better! 

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My Beach Day Makeup Routine!

Step 1. Moisturize- I use Neutrogena Positively Radiate

Step 2. Prime- This will help keep your makeup on throughout the hot day! I use Too Faced "Hangover" Primer

Step 3. Tinted Moisturizer- Rather than using a heavy full-coverage foundation when I go to the beach I will use a tinted moisturizer! This still provides coverage but is much lighter and has SPF! I use NARS Tinted Moisturizer in the color "St. Moritz"

Step 4. Powder- I will lightly set my face with powder since I have oily skin! I use It Cosmetics Perfecting Powder in the color "Tan"

Step 5. Bronzer- I love looking sun-kissed and will always apply bronzer! Right now I am using the Park Ave Princess palette by Tarte

I had eyelash extensions put in before leaving for our trip so I really did not need to worry about eyeliner or mascara! I will do a full review on my experience with eyelash extensions soon!

My Hair Products

This product is great for wearing in your hair during the day if you do not want to blow dry!

Even though our trip started off a little rocky, Kyle and I had such an amazing time together! We are excited to see where our next adventure will take us. (Hopefully somewhere in Europe! Wishful thinking!) Let the planning begin! 

 

xoxo

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Off to the Bahamas & What I'm Bringing with Me!

Today has definitely not gone as planned! We were originally suppose to be on a flight to Miami at 11:45 am but it was cancelled and we have been rescheduled for a new flight tonight at 7:00 pm getting us to Miami at 12:30am. Exhausting! Hopefully everything goes much smoother on our second go around. Fingers Crossed! Since we now have this 5-hour period between flights, I wanted to put together this blog post sharing some of the items I'm taking with me on our trip! 

Kyle and I are headed to a 5 Day cruise through the Bahamas! He has never been out of the country so I am super excited to take him!! I am ready for a week of no worries and a margarita in hand :) 

Everything I'm sharing today is easily shop-able by clicking on the photo! It will take you directly to the site I purchased from!! 

Wish us luck as we continue our journey tonight to Miami!! 

 

~My Travel Look~

~What I Packed in My Suitcase~

 

I am in love with the fringe detail on this bikini from Red Dress Boutique! And to make it even better, for both the top and bottom, you wont spend over $50! It's available in blue and a pretty coral color! 

 

I am a huge fan of all the off the shoulder swim suits we are seeing this year! I chose to buy the black color in this bikini but it is also available in a few other colors as well. 

Everything But Water is a great store for fashion forward/unique bikinis! Many of their prints/designs will come in all different variations for different body types! They have everything from one-pieces to high-waisted!

 

I knew I had to have this bathing suit top when I saw it at Nordstrom! It runs small so order up! 

 

~Beach Approved Beauty Products~

~Head to Toe Look~

This dress just screamed "Vacation" when I first saw it! I love the color and fun ruffles! I bought this dress from Vici which is linked to the photo but also found it available for re-order at another  Online Boutique! 

This Two-Piece Maxi from Lulus is great for a beach vacation! You can wear the skirt with a different top or vice versa! I bought this top from Nordstrom to wear with the skirt! 

~More Items In My Suitcase~

~Finish The Look~

xoxo

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hello beautiful:my everyday makeup routine

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Hey Y'all! Hope you are having a great week so far. It's been quite a while since I first shared my everyday makeup routine so I wanted to go ahead and update it on the blog today! I am constantly trying out new products and finding things I love as well as using my favorites over and over. I really enjoy doing my makeup each day and find it very relaxing/just a part of my day to day routine. Currently, it takes me around 20 minutes to do my makeup using each of these products below! I enjoy playing around with new products but for the day to day look enjoy a very "natural" makeup look. 

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The sweater I'm wearing is from Vici Dolls (vicicollection.com) Unfortunately they are currently sold out, but I will be sure to share with y'all when it restocks!

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My Makeup Routine

Click the links to shop each of the products I use daily! 

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Step 1. it Cosmetics "Confidence in a Cream Moisturizer" 

 

The very first thing I do after washing my face is apply moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated! 

Step 2. Yves Saint Laurent Primer 

I just recently started using this primer and am loving it! In the past, I have gone without primer because I honestly did not see any difference to my makeup. With this I barely notice any pores and my makeup stays on throughout the day! 

Step 3. Too Faced "Born This Way" Foundation 

I LOVE this foundation! It is the same foundation I had posted in my previous everyday makeup routine and I am still using it. I love how build-able the coverage is and how great my skin looks after I apply this foundation! 

Step 4. it Cosmetics "Bye Bye Under Eye" Concealer

This concealer is AMAZING! I constantly have dark under eyes and this is the best concealer I have found to brighten them up. It is much thicker than previous concealers I have used in the past so I recommend going light with it at first and building the product up! 

Makeup Tool: Beauty Blender 

I use this beauty blender to apply my foundation and blend my concealer! A must have! 

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Step 5. Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder 

I have oily skin so I like to set my foundation with a powder after I do my concealer. I recently started using this Charlotte Tilbury powder and have fallen in love! My pores disappear when I apply this and it lasts all day! I also love that it does not look cakey... I hate when I notice how much powder someone has on. This looks very natural!

Step 6. Kat Von D Shade + Light Face Contour Palette

I use this contour palette to highlight my undereyes after face powder. A great way to set your concealer so it does not crease during the day. 

Step 7. Anastasia Beverly Hills "Modern Renaissance" Eye Shadow Palette

I love the soft, romantic colors in this eye shadow palette! I typically will use the nudes during the day and add some of the berry colors if I have plans for the night! Perfect combination of matte and shimmery shadows. 

If I'm going for a much bolder eyeshadow look I will do my eyeshadow BEFORE my foundation to prevent shadow from getting on to my face! But for my day to day routine I don't wear too much eyeshadow so it comes after my foundation :) 

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Step 8. Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner

I am still using the same eyeliner from my previous makeup routine post! I just love it! Very easy to apply and lasts throughout the day. 

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Step 9. It Cosmetics "Superhero" Mascara

I just recently started using this mascara from It Cosmetics after hearing all of the great reviews! It really is what they say. My lashes get so long I feel like I'm wearing falsies! Highly recommend trying.

Step 10. Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer 

I love how this bronzer is very natural without any shimmer. Definitely great for natural day to day looks!

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Step 11. Tarte Blush in "Paaarty" 

I just recently started using this blush from Tarte and love it! The pink color is super feminine and pretty and gives the perfect amount of color. 

Step 12. Anastasia Beverly Hills- Glow Kit 

I use this glow kit mostly for highlighting! I will utilize the bronzers when I am looking to add some shimmer to my contour! 

Step 13. Anastasia Bevery Hills-Brow Wiz

I am a huge fan of the brow wiz from this brand! It is super easy to use and definitely gives my eyebrows a natural look! I already have thick eyebrows so this product is perfect to fill in any missing areas but also very buildable if you do have thinner brows.  

 

Thank you for reading and I hope you find a new product to try! 

P.S. Happy Halloween!! 

xoxo

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Mascara & Coffee: What more does a girl need

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If you don't know, I am an Event Coordinator here in Richmond, Virginia, which keeps me very very busy. Especially during this time of year. One of the most popular times to get married is during Summer/Fall!  I typically work 6 out of 7 days of the week, while working a second part time job, and developing my blog! I had a co-worker say to me "I swear you're always working" and yes that is very much true! Life is pretty hectic but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Obviously, as the title of this post may have hinted at, two things that really do get me through my day are mascara and coffee. So, when I saw this graphic tee at Old Navy I just had to swipe it up. I have officially become a person who can not go without a cup of coffee every morning. Typically I like Caramel Iced Coffee from Starbucks but am a fan of a good seasonal drink like a Pumpkin Spice Latte (Yep! I'm one of those people!) Since I am waking up early everyday for work, my sweet boyfriend always sets up our coffee maker to have a hot pot ready to go at 7 am. The very first thing I do when I get out of bed is grab a cup!

As for mascara, I typically wear a full face of makeup everyday. But even on my off days, when I do not want to do my daily makeup routine, I just swipe a small amount of mascara on and feel that I look significantly more awake! It really does work! 

I love this look for this transitional time between Summer/Fall. Shop easily with the links below! Hope y'all are having a great Wednesday!

xoxo

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Shop My Look

Shop My Look: Tiered Off The Shoulder Sweater

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The temperature is officially starting to drop here in Richmond and I am excited to finally be able to wear some of the sweaters I've purchased lately. A huge trend this season is this off the shoulder sweater look. Add on the tiered sleeves and this sweater is a must have! I picked it up over the weekend at one of the fashion trucks in town. Claville Fashion Truck is owned by my friend Claudia who I met through my job at Annalise Bridal Boutique! She parks her truck in various places around the Richmond area and shoppers can stop right in! Such a creative and unique way to sell retail. Claudia has awesome taste and always dresses to the nines! Definitely check them out. Instagram: @clavillefashiontruck

Hope you all are having a great beginning of the week! 

xoxo

Shop my Look

How to stay positive when real life happens

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Life is a pretty funny thing sometimes. You never know what you're going to get each day and where it is going to take you. It comes with plenty of stress and anxiety over things you sometimes can't even control. How to not focus on those things is usually the challenge we all face, including me. I'm writing this post after having a pretty tough day yesterday and feeling like my world has been throwing me way more than I can handle. I love that I now have this blog to talk about it and share a little more than just my love for style and fashion. It's a space to share when things aren't going as perfect as my Instagram feed may show. Sometimes I see other bloggers or "famous" Instagram guru's and think to myself "Their life really looks perfect." But we all know that is not true. Everyone goes through struggles, everyone has stressful days, and everyone feels down sometimes. Its called being human. This blog has given me an outlet to let out those feelings out and hope I can relate to somebody else out there.

Post college life definitely has not been the easiest thing to conquer for me. What a big reality check it is to go from paying barely any bills to paying everything and more. To my friends who were paying for everything in college themselves, you are awesome. I really don't know how you did it. Not only is the stress of money a huge part but the anxiety of the future. I've always been an over thinker but now more than ever I find myself worrying about how I will pay for the things I want in the future. How does one pay bills, save for the future, and still do all the things they enjoy? Especially with this first-job out of college income. Will I always live paycheck to paycheck? Will I ever pay off these student loans? Do I give up what I love to be able to afford something else? I have so many goals and ambitions I hope to accomplish but sometimes I can't help but worry that maybe I will never accomplish them. These things are what run through my head when I can't seem to focus on anything else. Some days I come home and all I want to do is lay in my bed and cry because I really can't handle the stress anymore. 

What I am beginning to learn through this major change in my life, is that through it all there is so much to be grateful for. So much to continue to be positive about. Everyday I try to remember all of the blessings in my life I have been given. I don't know what the future holds or where it is going to take me, but I know if I let myself doubt and worry,  I will let the years pass by me and never remember any of the good. Instead of focusing on what I DON'T have, I'm trying to focus on what I DO have. On all I have overcome and still have come out on the other side. I know it seems cliche but it really is helpful. When I feel like my life is so much worse than others I think about all the people who I know are suffering more than me. The people who's lives have been turned upside down from the hurricanes or who are worried about being deported from the country. My problems are really no comparison to that. So when it feels like your life is so hard, instead of focusing on that, focus on the positive. Focus on where you want to be in a year from now and let that be what gets you out of bed each morning with a smile on your face. Let each day be a day to learn from your mistakes and grow from them. 

That is what gets you through the hard days, the tight budget, and the stress. No, I'm not perfect and sometimes being positive just doesn't happen. But everyday is a new day and a time to learn from the one before. So I'm trying to be grateful and positive for all the blessings in my life. 

Hope everyone has a great and happy Friday/Weekend!

xoxo

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My Experience on Accutane!

I have had many of my friends reaching out to me recently asking about my experience and results on Accutane and decided I wanted to share my story on my blog. It feels very vulnerable and scary to talk about something like this but if it helps someone understand the medicine better that's all that matters. This post is not to persuade anyone to do Accutane or act like I know everything about it! I just want to share my experience and why I am happy I made the choice to do it! Everyone has their own opinions on medicine and what you should do. To each their own!

Acne is something I struggled with for many years. I first started getting acne in middle school and it continued on through college. I did years and years of different ointments, medicine, face washes and nothing seemed to ever make it go away. I hated taking my makeup off every night and seeing a face full of scares, red marks, pimples, and to me just terrible skin. People would always tell me "You can't even tell you have acne" but to me I knew it was there under all of the makeup, and I had mastered the art of covering it up. There were times when my acne would clear up for a week or two and I would be so thrilled! But every time it would slowly creep back in. Nothing I did I was helping. 

Acne for me really played a part in my self confidence. I NEVER went without makeup and never wanted anyone to see me without makeup. I know to some people it may sound silly but to me when I took the makeup off I didn't want anyone to notice all of my blemishes. I went everywhere with makeup on..even to the gym.

I had heard of other people trying and doing Accutane and saw the results they had and knew I was going to ask my Dermatologist about it. I went into the Dermatologist and asked him if Accutane was an option for me, and I was in fact a candidate. If you don't know what Accutane or "Isotretinoin" is, it is a type of acne medication meant to cure severe acne. It is for people who have not found success with other treatments. Accutane is a strong and powerful medicine and comes with responsibility. It is not easy or a medicine for just anyone. There is a process you have to complete before they will give you the medicine and tests you have to pass. It was no joke!

I started Accutane in the Winter of 2015. After I received my prescription for Accutane, I began the process of getting my first month of pills. Before they will allow you to begin treatment, you are required to be on two forms of birth control, pass a pregnancy test, a blood test and take a comprehensive exam to ensure you understand the side affects of the medicine. Once you are cleared with those you are able to pick up your first month of Accutane. They only give you one month of the medicine at a time to ensure you go to your doctors each month for another pregnancy test, blood test as well as take a comprehensive exam each month. Getting pregnant on this medicine is a huge NO. The doctors are sure to remind you of this before you begin the medicine due to serious affects it can have on a child. 

During my first three months on Accutane I saw no improvement with my acne. If anything it seemed to be getting worse! I remember my Dermatologist telling me it was going to be like this but I couldn't help getting frustrated. I was ready for the acne to be gone. I did start seeing side affects during these months though, mostly dry skin and lips as well as a very dry nose. As I entered into my fourth month of the medicine, the side affects really began to hit. If you've ever done research on Accutane or heard about it, than you know many of the side affects are not pretty. During my final two months on Accutane, my lips were extremely dry. Aquaphor became my best friend. My lips were so dry to the point they would crack and bleed. I know... gross. It was honestly very painful and not fun. Trying to have conversation with people during this time was hard, I didn't want them staring at my lips. If I would open my mouth to talk they would start to bleed. It was embarrassing and hard.  I'm only sharing this because I want people to really know the affects that come with this medicine. 

I consider myself very lucky when it came to the side affects though. Dry skin, lips and nose were the only things I experienced personally but while doing my research I had seen there can be quite scary side affects as well. 

Some side affects to be aware of while taking Accutane: 

1. Dry skin and lips 

2. Dry Nose

3. Hair loss

4. Sensitivity to sun 

A little funny story to go along with this one.... I was in my Junior year of college during my time on Accutane. I went on a spring break trip with two of my bestfriends to Cancun, Mexico! I remember my doctor warning me about how my skin would be extra sensitive to sun due to the medicine. I thought to myself "nooo, I always tan, I never burn". So of course the first day in Cancun I put minimal sunscreen on, if any honestly (terrible, I know) By the end of the day I was so burnt on my legs and feet to the point they were swollen!! It was not a fun few days walking around with swollen and burnt feet! Lesson learned... Definitely reapply that sunscreen while on this medicine! 

my burn in cancun! it hurt! 

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5. Mood Swings 

6. Headaches 

7. Depression, Thoughts of Suicide 

 

These are all very serious and need to be discussed with your doctor before beginning treatment!

I really started to see my acne go away during the final month of Accutane. Not only were my pimples going away but my scars from years and years of acne were also fading. I was SO happy and feeling like those five months of having gross lips were worth it! (There were alot of happy tears) My skin had never looked like this! At my five month Dermatologist appointment, my doctor decided it was time for me to get off the medicine. I was so nervous!! After everything I went through the past five months, I did not want my acne to come flooding back when I stopped the medicine. 

I am happy to share that it is now the Summer of 2017 and I am still acne free! Yes, I still get the occasional stress/hormonal pimple but my scars are gone and acne is no where to be seen! My confidence without makeup has increased and going to the gym without any on feels like the easiest thing! I get complimented on how great my skin looks and it feels great! I am very happy with my decision to go on Accutane and am thankful I had a somewhat smooth and easy experience with it. For those of you wondering about it, I hope this blog post gives you a little more clarity and understanding! I 100% would do it again. But again, this is my experience with it and they can vary!  

My First Post-Accutane selfie! (April 2016)

In the past I would have to edit out a large blemish from a photo but not anymore! I was so happy! 

 

July 2017 and my skin is still Acne Free! 

 

My advice if you're considering doing Accutane: 

1. Talk to your Dermatologist, they are there to help see if taking it is right for YOU! 

2. Be mentally prepared to be on Accutane. It is challenging! 

3. Be committed to getting your tests done each month 

4. Do not plan on getting pregnant within the next year 

5. Know that side affects are different for everyone, do your research! 

6. Stay positive! You are beautiful with or without Acne but if you feel it is what you want to do that is your choice! 

 

Products I use to keep my skin clear! 

 

Click on Picture to shop these products! 

 

Learn more about accutane with the link below: 

http://www.aocd.org/page/Accutane

xoxo

Designer Highlight: Show Me Your Mumu

When this maxi dress from Show Me Your Mumu came in the mail the other day, I could not have been more excited! The style and pattern are so fun and whimsical. It honestly made me want to be running around in a field of flowers with a flower crown on. And if you know me, you know that is not an everyday activity of mine or really ever. I love that this dress made me feel a little extra beautiful when i was wearing it and I wanted to share it with all of you! I kept my accessories simple with this maxi and just added delicate JEWELRY and sandals! The dress says enough itself!

PS. I'm 5'10, wearing a size small, and this dress was still too long on me! Beware if you are on the shorter side you just might have to get this dress hemmed or wear extra high heels! But believe me, it's worth it! Definitely one of my favorite purchases this summer!

I'm sharing a few more of my favorite maxi's from Show Me Your Mumu below! 

Unfortunately by the time my dress came in this style and pattern I'm wearing above had sold out! I LINKED a few different color and style options with the same pattern and will be sure to let you know when and if it restocks! Click the pic to shop! 

A Few More of My Favorites!

xoxo