Let's Talk About Lips

This summer has been full of the trend of the brighter the lip color the better. Unfortunately, I have not joined this train of crazy bright colors, but I will be reviewing my favorite looks and how this trend has been done correctly. It takes a keen eye to pick the perfect color for a specific skin shade and overall tone allowing the person to have a put together look. I will be posting some links to pictures to show you what I am talking about.
(All of the images are from Google, none of them are mine.)

To start out strong, Alexis Bledel looks absolutely stunning with this hot pink lipstick. The color suits her skin tone and makes her blue eyes pop. She makes her lip color the focal point of her face by sticking to a simple face makeup look. This is a job well done from my perspective.

Next is the always stunning, Lauren Conrad. Lauren also wears the hot pink lip with simple face makeup, but she went for a bronzed look which helps to make the lip color seem appear to be her summer go to. Another thumbs up from me.

This model wears a bright coral lipstick. As I said before it depends completely on the skin tone as to which shade will look best. She pulls this color off flawlessly. Her eye makeup looks clean and shows off her distinct facial features. I don't think I would be able to pull off this coral lip personally, but I think this model is a great example of doing a bright lipstick color correctly.

Although I will probably stick to my usual lip products which are lighter pinks and neutrals I have enjoyed this summer's trend of bright, bold colored lips!

XOXO, Kelsey

Back to School

As I prepare for back to school and going into college it seems as if I have been making a good deal of purchases lately. Although the spectrum of spending has been broad, I am ecstatic with all of my purchases. Therefore, I must tell you about them! Here are few products I have gotten recently that I recommend to you if you are looking for anything like these things.

I got a new laptop for college and immediately ordered a plastic clip on case off of Amazon to put on it. However, I was a little bit on the picky side about a case that would have more padding and zip up for extra protection. After all, I would be using this laptop for at least the next four years! So I searched and searched Etsy, the Apple Store, and many other stores including Vera Bradley. Now when I went into the Vera Bradley store I did not see any laptop cases that I particularly liked, but when I got online everything changed. I found the Laptop Sleeve in Priscilla Pink and instantly had to have the case. It is pink and green and the ideal thickness. Also I was unaware until after I purchased there is a little square compartment which fits a laptop charge superbly! I have the MacBook Pro 13" with Retina Display so the square shaped charger fit so well in the pocket. I am very pleased with this purchase and I already feel safer putting my laptop into my backpack. The last thing I will say about this is that if you are looking for a laptop sleeve I would definitely look into the Vera Bradley cases right now because they are having a sale. I snagged my case for under $25!

http://www.verabradley.com/product/laptop-sleeve/cocoa-moss/1001153_181553.uts?fromSearch=1

The next item I have to talk about is the J. Crew 5" chino shorts. I have owned many pairs of J. Crew chinos, but it was not until recently I started buying the 5". Being 5'10" means being extremely long-legged which makes the 5" shorts a more than comfortable fit. Not only is adding to my chino collection exciting, but I have found ordering the shorts from J. Crew instead of from the J. Crew Factory has proved to be better quality. Not that I don't love the discounts of the J. Crew Factory chinos (I have a couple pairs), but they tend to be thinner than the originals. Anyways, sorry I got off track, I ordered one pair during the 40% of shorts sale making the shorts a great find. I have already worn them two or three times because I am obsessed with the color! I purchased the color Alpine Blue. These will be great for if I want to look dress up a little bit for class. I typically style my chinos with a chambray shirt or a cute tank. There will probably be plenty of pictures for you to see on instagram (Haha).

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shorts/solid/PRDOVR~68925/68925.jsp

Another J. Crew item deemed as a fall essential is the excursion vest. I am sad to say I did not have one until this week because I always wore my Patagonia vest and a vest my mom gave me that was quilted from Gap. I made the executive decision to invest in the puffer vest 1.) because it was on sale on the Factory website and 2.) it will be too darn cute to wear during football season with a sweater underneath for those colder games. The infamous herringbone excursion vest was on the website too, but I opted out of getting it, even though I've had my eye on it for quiet a while. Instead, I chose the dark navy because I adore navy and it will look fabulous with pieces in my wardrobe I already own. The reasoning behind this purchase was a no brainer and if you are able to get your hands on one, go for it. The reviews are sparkling for the J. Crew Excursion vest. I cannot wait to start styling it! I got this puffer vest for around $70 which if I remember correctly (please correct me if I'm wrong) when they first came out they were about $100. I feel as if I got a great deal on my excursion vest.

http://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/blazers_outerwear/outerwear/PRDOVR~92465/92465.jsp?color_name=dark-navy

The last thing I have picked up for school is a widely renown favorite! The Lilly Pulitzer large agenda. This is my fourth year having a Lilly agenda and I have been pleased with my past experiences. I have always had enough room and then some to get down everything going on in my life. I unfortunately do not know how great it will work out for college yet. I will definitely let ya'll know by the end of my freshman year my thoughts! I got the pattern Peelin' Out. It is a fun citrus, floral pattern with pink hidden monkeys scattered throughout the cover. I intend on buying the Lilly Pulitzer Greek sticker sheet for my planner this year too, but I think I will wait until after I go through rush, just to be sure! The planner was $28 and let me tell you it is well worth the money!

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/Agendas/Large-Agenda/entity/pc/429/c/430/7398.uts?swatchName=Lillys+Pink

Here is my collection over the years:

Comment below anything you've picked up for school lately or anything you find to be essential for back to school! Thanks for reading.

XOXO, Kelsey

55 in 505

I have seen a couple of different blogs where people do these"55 in 505" posts. To make a long story short, I am going list 55 things that I would like to do in the next 505 days.

So here we go:

1. Go out of the country.

2. Go to a Braves game.

3. Vacation in Nantucket.

4. Go to LA.

5. Make some article of clothing.

6. Read 20 books. (For fun).

7. Go to the Kentucky Derby.

8. Watch a polo match.

9. Visit Elvis Presley's house.

10. Try a juice cleanse.

11. Run in a half marathon.

12. Play an intramural sport at my college.

13. Watch the sunrise at Pretty Place.

14. Go to the J. Crew Warehouse Sale.

15. Complete my Jack Rogers collection.

16. Find the perfect fedora.

17. Ride on a subway.

18. Read three autobiographies about past presidents.

19. Go on a beach trip with my girl friends.

20. Make a scrapbook of my freshman year of college.

21. Get an internship.

22. See a play.

23. Learn how to paint my nails better.

24. Go white water rafting.

25. Buy a DSLR camera.

26. Buy someone else's meal in line at a drive through.

27. Go to a fashion show.

28. Go to an NFL game.

29. Go to a state I've never been to before.

30. Find an amazing little black dress.

31. Go deep sea fishing.

32. Go to a wedding.

33. Begin doing yoga classes.

34. Ski for the first time ever.

35. Visit the Biltmore at Christmas time.

36. Go sailing.

37. Take a dance lesson.

38. Learn how to do calligraphy.

39. Make a blogger friend.

40. Go rock climbing.

41. Get Skybox seats for a UT game.

42. Find and complete a new Netflix show. (Comment any suggestions!)

43. Pick berries on a farm.

44. Make a post about what I learned from living with someone with a different style than my own.

45. Do some sort of collab with someone.

46. Take a girls trip with my mom and sister.

47. Surprise my cousin at her college.

48. Make a four course meal.

49. Visit Keeneland for a race.

50. Find my signature scent.

51. Go to New York City.

52. Have a DIY spa day.

53. Bake cookies from scratch.

54. Go without eating gluten for a week.

55. Become a consistent blogger.

Started: July 23, 2014

End : December 10, 2015

Leave in the comments below anything you hope I complete or any of your favorites of this list!

XOXO, Kelsey

Scallops and Stripes

Yipee my first blog post!

Could putting scallop trim and stripes together be a form of pattern mixing? I'm not quiet sure. Please leave your opinion in the comments below!

Personally I think scallop trim and stripes make for a good match. Here is how I put the two together:

(Personality picture haha)

My outfit:

Sweater- Master's golf tournament

Tank- Banana Republic

Shorts- Boutique where I live

Shoes- Jack Rogers

Thanks to the lovely S. McIntyre for the photography. I appreciate you!!

XOXO, Kelsey