High Five For Friday 10/18

Hello Friday!

{ONE}

I decided to take advantage of the Columbus day sales going on and did a bit of online shopping. I am usually not a big online shopper, but with J.Crew, I know my sizes in each style and who can resist 50% off everything?? My shopping cart was up to 13 items at one point, but I somehow managed to get it down to 3. Old Navy had some cute stuff for great prices as well, but I only got a few things seeing as they gave me cash back to shop later. I am a sucker for marketing ploys. 

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

{TWO}

On Tuesday I dropped by the post office and found 4 packages waiting on me! It was seriously like Christmas. Packages are always excited, but for some reason living in another country makes it 10 times as great. 

I got my Tory Burch purchase finally! Ok, it might just be a phone case and not a beautiful new pair of riding boots, but it made me pretty happy. 

I won the very first giveaway I ever entered. It was on My Sweet Savannah and it was a gift card to Olive Lane Paper and Gifts. I had been waiting for a phone case I loved to be restocked but never did so I ordered all of this fabulous stuff. I've worn the necklace two times already and love it!

My very sweet friend Sam sent me this package as a surprise. She knew I was missing fall back in the states and sent me some fall goodies as well as some cute stuff! It was such a wonderful surprise! 

{THREE}

The other day I found an awesome store right down the street. I thought it would be like a Goodwill because it is called the reuse store. The bottom floor had used furniture, home stuff, electronics, etc. It wasn't goodwill quality, though, it was almost like new. The top floor was all clothes, shoes, etc. I would compare it to a very nice, organized version of Plato's closet. They had some cute stuff, but Jake was impatient  wanted to go do other things so I didn't get to browse much. I did find a super cool retro looking Patagonia pullover, which happens to be my favorite item of clothing, for only $20. I didn't get it, though, because Jake pointed out I probably wouldn't have many opportunities to wear it over the next 3 years. 

{Four}

Yesterday's post I talked about my field trip to the Yomitan Pottery Village and the Zakimi Castle Ruins. I found a great place to put my dish I got from the pottery village and it is getting some great use.

{FIVE}

I started running again. It took putting on my UK shorts and socks to get even slightly motivated.

Running is a struggle for me. You can read about my struggle here, here, here, and here. This spring, I had started running and even finished a 5k. As always, my running started to fizzle out. This summer I discovered bikram yoga and never looked back. I hardly ran all summer. Now that I don't have a bikram studio to go to (sad face) I have been trying to get to the gym. Since I've been here I've gone to zumba once. My goal is to get into running again, but we will see how it goes. If anyone has any tips for people who hate running, feel free to share them.

Jake and I have some exciting plans for the weekend! I hope the weather is good and that everything goes as planned. 

Do you have any fun weekend plans? Did you do any Columbus day shopping? Any running tips?

Riding Boots: Splurge Vs. Save

I love boots. Like really, really love want to wear them every moment of my life love. It is in the 80's here and certainly doesn't seem to be cooling anytime soon. That does not stop me from lusting over every pair of boots I lay eyes on. I have been wanting Frye boots for some time now. They have about 4 different pairs that I would just kill for. I have had my eye on a particular pair for awhile now. 

The Melissa Button

Frye boots are very good quality and will last a very long time. Regardless, $348 is a lot to spend on a pair of boots. 

Splurge

or

Save

Target Kasia

The other day while spending hours looking on Target.com I found these boots that look very similar to the Frye Melissa buttons. The problem with most riding boots that don't cost a fortune is that they are not real leather and in turn, won't last as long. These, however, are real leather. The construction on the Frye ones just looks nicer to me, but the price tag of $74.99 on these is looking pretty tempting.

So what do you think? Are Frye boots really worth the hefty price tag? Are riding boots a wardrobe staple worth the splurge? Are the Target look-a-likes just as good as the Frye?

Help me answer my question: Splurge or Save?

How To Make Press-On Nails Look and Last Like Acrylics

I have really ugly nails. My fingers are kind of chubby and my nails are thin and my nail beds are wide. It's just not cute. It doesn't help that I sometimes chew on my nails. I am also horrible at painting my nails. It always looks like a 7 year old painted them. I can't ever get the paint to last more than 2 days without chipping, either. Acrylics seemed like a pain and fairly costly. I had to figure out how to make my nails look good for special occasions without the price. I was wandering through Walgreens when I decided to try some press-ons.

The first time I tried them, I liked the way they looked, but they did not last very long. Throughout the years, I have continued to use press-on nails and have learned what makes them look good and what makes them stay. They look so natural and elegant, I would pick them over acrylics any day. I love the look of press-on nails so much I even wore them for my wedding. 

Here's how to do it:

At your local drug store, Target, or grocery store, go to the nail aisle. You are looking for Broadway Nails Real Life. I get the real short in peach because I think they look the best. They also come in pink, which might match the color of your nails better. It is very important to get this brand!! I have tried all other brands and this one is the best by far. They cost around $6.49, depending on where you live. 

The nail kit comes with 24 nails of different sizes, glue, a file, and a cuticle pusher. You will also need nail polish remover and a nail clippers.

If you have already done the math, 24 nails means that each box comes with 2 sets of nails. That's right, two sets for $6.49. Now, this part is very important. You must do it the right way to get both sets of nails to work and look great. Each nail has a tab with a number. The numbers are how large the nails is. 

You are going to want to arrange them in order starting with the pinkies and going in to your thumbs. It will look like this:

set #1: 8546226458

set #2: 9657337569

One set will be slightly bigger (length wise) than the other set. I usually use the longer set for an event and the shorter set for day to day activities.

Next, pick your set and put the other one back in the box.

Use the nail polisher remover to take off any polish. Wipe your nails with the remover even if you don't have any polish, it helps the glue adhere. Next, push down your cuticles. This helps the nail get all the way down in there. Cut and file your nails. You want your real nail to be pretty short so it does not grow past the press-on. 

Now, this is another very important step. Take the nail file and rough up your nails. Make them as rough and grainy as possible. This helps the glue to stay.

You are ready to start putting the nails on. Starting with your pinky and going in to the thumb and one hand, and then doing the same on the other. Put glue on both your real nail and the press-on. Make sure it is evenly dispersed and that there is not too much glue. Press the nail onto your real nail and hold for at least 10 seconds. Wipe any excess glue from around the nail. Break off the tab at the top very carefully. Use the file to file down any extra tab that was left on there. Once you have done all 10 nails, you are finished!

Other tips:

-Don't pick at your nails. I always used to pick at the glue around the nails, but it will make them fall off! 

-If you find the white part is chipping off, you can go over it with white nail polish. You can even paint the entire nail a color.

-If a nail does happen to fall off before you are done with them, just glue it back on.

If you follow these instructions, your nails will last for 2 or more weeks!

So there you have it, 2 sets of nails that last 2 weeks each. That's a month of nails for $6.49! 

Good Luck!

Until Next Time,

The Perfect Sneaker

I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect sneaker. My usual go to closed toe, casual shoes are Toms. But, my trusty grey ones have bit the dust and I am kind of over the whole thing. I want something comfortable, cute, and not overly sporty.

I've seen quite a few people sport these

Via

While they look super cute on the people I have seen wearing them, I just don't know if I could pull them off.

Then, I thought of vans and looked at these.

Via

I am just not skateboarder chic enough to wear these. I also think the sole is a bit high.


So now I have moved on to wanting some keds. Just the plain ole' keds your mom used to sport with a fanny pack back in the 90's. I guess they are back in style because I have seen quite a few people wearing them.

Via

Now the question is, are the white ones too cheerleaderish?? I did wear some almost exactly like this during my time as a cheerleader in my school's production of High School Musical.

I found that these simple keds also come in some super cute patterns and colors.

Via

Via

Via

If money were not an issue, these would be the winners

via

So what do you think?? Are keds still super 90's? Which pattern should I go with? What are your go to sneakers?

Until next time,

M

Websites for Cheap Trendy Jewelry

I have been meaning to do this post for awhile to let you all in on my little secret, especially those who ask where I get my jewelry. I heard about these websites that have daily deals from Facebook. The deals include everything from jewelry to home items. I started using these sites when statement jewelry started to become popular. I had never been a big jewelry person and wanted to step up my jewelry game, so this was the cheapest option I found. For example, the yellow bubble necklace above was only $10.99. I got the two smaller ones during a blowout sale and snatched them both for $4.99. Way better than the alternative, spending $45 on one necklace at J.Crew. 

Here are the sites:

Groopdealz

Very Jane

Sassy Steals

I'm sure there are plenty other similar sites, but these are the ones that I have found to be the best. It will ask you for your email and then you will receive the daily deals. My only complaint is that sometimes your order takes a long time to arrive. But, you can't beat cute, cheap jewelry!

My most recent purchase

I'm so excited! I think this bracelet will compliment many outfits. They also have a similar necklace, but I thought it was a little much for me. 

Happy shopping friends!

Until next time,

M

Favorite Beauty Products

Throughout most of my life, I have never really cared about beauty products. I have always just used what my mom or sister used and most of the time, what was cheapest. I didn't think using nice products made that much of a difference. I never really even paid attention to see if the products I was using actually worked. In the past year and half or so, I have decided to give a bit more attention to products that I use. I have done lots of research online. I like to read beauty blogs and vlogs to see which products people recommend. I have learned quite a bit in this process. I have learned that there are certain products that are worth splurging on. I have also learned that there are some things out there that the cheaper version is just as great as the expensive version. And most importantly, I have learned that most products work differently for everyone. A face wash that works great for one person, may not work as well for another.

I have decided to share with you the products that I have tried and absolutely love. These are all products that I've noticed have really worked for me and have worked better than all other versions I have tried.

The first product is Cetaphil face wash. This is one product that I have been using for years. I haven't always had the most perfect skin. I have tried every single face wash at the drugstore, and this one is by far the best. After a few days of using it, I started to see fewer and fewer breakouts. It is a very gentle cleanser and is geared towards all skin types. I have very normal skin, but it works well for oily or dry skin types as well. It is expensive for a drugstore face wash, but it is worth every penny. It comes in a large container and lasts Jake and I almost 6 months. It also goes on sale quite often. I have seen it at different places from $10 to $14.

I also discovered another face wash that I love, but don't buy very often. My friend Sarah gave me a bridal set of Philosophy beauty products at my bridal shower. I used the Purity face wash and the Hope in a Jar moisturizer a couple of months leading up to my wedding. I honestly felt like I had the most glowing, beautiful skin during this time. If I could, I would use these products every single day. But, for a 32 oz. bottle of face wash, it is $50 and an 8 oz. tub of lotion is $115. I may just have to splurge on these items for special occasions. 

Another product I have been using for a long time is the Bare Minerals original foundation. On my 17th birthday, my mom and I went shopping and decided to try it out. The girls at the store gave me a makeover, and I fell in love. My mom bought me the starter kit as a birthday present and I haven't looked back since. Before I had used bulky liquids and creams that I caked on my blemishes. This foundation gives me all over lightweight coverage. It barely feels like I'm wearing any makeup at all. It has always had the perfect amount of coverage for me, and can even be used as concealer. It comes in lots of different shades and they now have a matte version. It is a bit pricey at $27, but one jar lasts me almost 6 months. I also like to use the Bare Minerals bronzer, warmth. I used to use sparkly, too orange bronzer. Now I just use a bit of the warmth and feel like I have the perfect glow. It lasts about 6 months as well and is $19. You can buy Bare Mineral products at Ulta, Sephora, online, or at a Bare Minerals store. 

I also use the foundation primer by Bare Minerals. I have tried a few different primers and found that this one works SO WELL. It makes my face so smooth before I apply my foundation and also helps my makeup last all day. I used to not even use a primer, but I have found that primers really do make a difference. This primer is $23 for a 1 oz bottle. I have not tried the neutralizing, brightening, or oil control, so I can't say if those are as good. 

My next product is a blush. I used to to be very scared of blush. I thought it was to make your cheeks a bright, overwhelming pink and that was it. I decided it was time to give blush a shot, so I did some research. The top selling blush in the U.S. is orgasm by Nars. I went to Sephora to try it, and agreed. Then, I saw that it was $28. Sorry, but I wasn't about to spend that much when I realized how much I could buy with $28. I wasn't even sure if I liked blush yet. Then, I ran across a "dupe" website, that gives drugstore dupes for high end products. I discovered a product called luminous by Milani. I found it at CVS for $8.29. I love it! It is almost exactly the same as the Nars version. I say the only difference is that the luminous might not last as long. I am now sold on blush and don't know how I ever went without it.

 

I also used to not wear mascara. If you know me, you know I have ridiculously long eyelashes. I thought if I used mascara, my eyelashes would take over. I now use mascara everyday, even if it is the only makeup I put on. I realized that mascara makes me look more awake and if anything, keeps my giant eyelashes from going in my eyes. I have tried lots of different mascaras. There are tons of opinions out there about which ones are the best. I honestly had never found one that I loved. Recently, though, I started using voluminous by L'oreal. It is amazing! It doesn't make my eyelashes look like spiders and it doesn't clump. Clumping is a serious issue for me when it comes to mascara so this is a big deal. It also has a curved brush that helps my eyelashes stay curled upwards and out of my eyes. Another great thing is that it is only $5!

The last product that I love is a hair product. Honestly, hair products are kind of an area I haven't done much research or trail and error with yet. Mostly, because I HATE spending money on expensive hair products. Also, my hair is boring and straight and I don't think all of the hair products in the world could change that. It also doesn't hold curl, which I have found cannot be changed by hair products either. But, I do have an issue with fly aways. It constantly look like I've been shocked, my hair sticking out in every direction at my part. I have found the After Party by Bed Head works great. It is a bit pricey at $14, but if you have a fly away problem like me, it's worth it. I'm not going to lie to you, I ran out awhile ago and haven't felt like splurging to get more, but I will eventually. Maybe I will even start trying out some other hair products.

I hope you try some of these products out and like them as much as I do. Are there any products you couldn't live without??

Also, I finally added a subscribe button to my page. I honestly didn't even know it was missing. So if you read the blog, subscribe! 

Until next time,

M