I think I may decide to chop it off, but I'm not sure yet. What do you think??
xo,
Grace
New Year Haircut Itch!
As the new year is quickly approaching, I can't help but feel my annual "new year - new me" itch forming. This year, it is manifesting itself particularly strongly with my hair. I have super thick, long, wavy hair, but recently I have been tempted to try out a shorter cut. Here are some looks I have been ogling on Pinterest.
My On-The-Go Beauty Essentials!
Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. I
apologize that it has been a whole week since my last post-- with my parents'
move, things got a little bit crazy!
Benefit's Watts Up! is the best highlighter that I have tried because it is so easy to use and will stay on all day long. I swipe some down the bridge of my nose and across my cheekbones to create a fresh, dewy look. I also put some (using my fingertip and smudging out with the attached blender) on my brow bone to visually open up my eye.
Today, I thought I would share my go-to beauty
picks that I most always have in my travel makeup bag. Even though I love
makeup, I don't like wearing a lot of it in my day to day life, only using what
I consider to be the essentials on a daily basis. I am a firm believer in
the less stuff you put on your face, the better it is for your skin (minus
moisturizer and cleanser of course!). Because I travel so much, I love having
products that can be easily packed and that I can always count
on.
My skin is very fair, and usually on the "normal" spectrum,
although I do deal with the occasional breakout or dry skin outbreak. I
am not a big fan of liquid makeups because for whatever reason they seem to
make my skin look very oily, often leading to breakouts.
From L-R Back to Front: Lipstick: Dior
Lip Glow || Dry Shampoo: Detox Dry Bar || Concealer:
Josie Maran Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon in Light 1 || Highlighter:
Benefit Watts Up! || Primer: Bare Minerals Prime Time || Blush:
Nars Orgasm || Under-eye Concealer: Bare Minerals Well Rested
|| Foundation: Bare Minerals Light W15 || Eyeliner:
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black || Mascara:
Benefit Bad Gal Lash
Bare Mineral's Prime Time makes
my makeup stay on all day long without feeling thick or pasty. It is
super breathable and sheer, which I love.
Nars Orgasm is by far my favorite blush ever. It instantly adds color to the apples of my cheeks without looking overpowering, giving me a nice glow. Because it has flecks of metallics in it, it reflects light well and adds a bit of dimension without being sparkly or shimmery. Also, everyone I have ever seen wear it (diverse skin tones) has looked fantastic in it.
Dior Lip Glow is the lip product I reach for every day without fail. It adds natural looking color and moisture that lasts. Because the light pink color of it is rather sheer, it plays up the natural color of your lips or the lipstick you may put underneath it.
Benefit's Watts Up! is the best highlighter that I have tried because it is so easy to use and will stay on all day long. I swipe some down the bridge of my nose and across my cheekbones to create a fresh, dewy look. I also put some (using my fingertip and smudging out with the attached blender) on my brow bone to visually open up my eye.
I use Josie Maran's Argan Oil Creamy Concealer Crayon to cover up any particularly pesky blemishes. It blends in easily and is also moisturizing.
Stila's Intense Black Eyeliner Pen is my foolproof eyeliner. It lasts all day long, is a rich black color, and is SO easy to use. The tip is pretty firm, making it simple to do a quick application without making a mistake.
Benefit's Bad gal Lash is my most used mascara because it is super black and does not dry out easily. One tube lasts me twice as long as my other favorite - Covergirl Lashblast.
Finally, Detox Dry Shampoo from drybar is one of my absolute favorite things because it instantly makes my hair look refreshed and voluminous. It helps me to go longer between washes and is perfect for travel. Whenever I am having a bad hair day, I spray some on my roots and voila! Instant hair! This dry shampoo is a bit hard to find, but it is sold at some Sephoras and online at sephora.com.
I hope you guys enjoy my on-the-go picks! Let me know what your personal favorites are!
xo,
Grace
Next Chapter!
Today marks a big day for me, something new that I have never experienced before. For people who grew up moving a lot, it may not seem like that big of a deal, but for me its pretty huge.
I was born in Charlotte NC in the early 90's, at a hospital about 3 blocks away from the house I leave behind today-- over 21 years later, my parents are officially moving away from the place I have always consistently been able to point to on a map and call HOME.
I've known this was coming for a long time, and even though I left Charlotte when I graduated from high school, there is something so comforting about a familiar spot, a pesky creak in the floor that you unconsciously anticipate as you walk up the stairs, a place where you can drive without even thinking about where you are going because you know every turn completely by heart, the experience of catching yourself smiling when you pass by the place that you first met your high school sweetheart.
Thinking about all these things made me sad at first, but the more I consider the change I will make today when I step on my flight to meet my parents in Texas, I realize more than ever, as much as I will always love Charlotte, it wasn't her that was home, it was the people.
Taking a step out of my comfort zone teaches me the saying "home is where the heart is" is indisputably true. Places can come and go, locations can change, but it is the people I can count on.
With this, I am overjoyed, thrilled, and thankful for everyone in my life and for our adventures to come.
I was born in Charlotte NC in the early 90's, at a hospital about 3 blocks away from the house I leave behind today-- over 21 years later, my parents are officially moving away from the place I have always consistently been able to point to on a map and call HOME.
I've known this was coming for a long time, and even though I left Charlotte when I graduated from high school, there is something so comforting about a familiar spot, a pesky creak in the floor that you unconsciously anticipate as you walk up the stairs, a place where you can drive without even thinking about where you are going because you know every turn completely by heart, the experience of catching yourself smiling when you pass by the place that you first met your high school sweetheart.
Thinking about all these things made me sad at first, but the more I consider the change I will make today when I step on my flight to meet my parents in Texas, I realize more than ever, as much as I will always love Charlotte, it wasn't her that was home, it was the people.
Taking a step out of my comfort zone teaches me the saying "home is where the heart is" is indisputably true. Places can come and go, locations can change, but it is the people I can count on.
With this, I am overjoyed, thrilled, and thankful for everyone in my life and for our adventures to come.
Thanks for the memories! Now I'm ready to go make some new ones.
xo,
Grace
Quiet Moments!
During periods of stress in my life, I find it more important than ever to appreciate quiet moments, and be especially thankful for the little things I sometimes forget to remind myself of.
Open your curtains... take a few deep breaths... put your feet up... and fix yourself a warm drink.
There is so much to be thankful for!
Peace, Love & Joy!
xo,
Grace
Great Gifts under $25!
Here are some great picks for gifting on a budget:
1. Jonathan Adler Stacking Dish 24$ // 2. Blue Agate Bookend 19$ // 3.Monogram Glass Plate 12$ // 4. My Agenda mini 25$ // 4. Merry Cherry Duo 20$ // 5. Thermal Pajamas 18.69$ // 6. 'R & B' Mini Nail Laquer Duet 24$
1. This dish comes in a few colors- I love it! Perfect on top of a dresser, entryway, or in a bathroom.
2. I love decorating with agate, and these bookends start at a great price. Perfect for any book lovers or decor enthusiasts you may know!
3. Personalized and cute, this plate is perfect for a stocking stuffer (just make sure it is wrapped carefully!!).
4. myAdgendas are the BEST planners ever, and these mini ones are a great size for people on the go. I highly recommend them.
5. Philosophy makes the cutest sets, and this duo smells amazing.
6. These target pajamas are cute and incredibly comfortable- I own them in every color! If you know anyone who loves to lounge, definitely put these on your list.
7. This Nordstrom exclusive comes with an included glitter pouch!
Happy Gifting!
2. I love decorating with agate, and these bookends start at a great price. Perfect for any book lovers or decor enthusiasts you may know!
3. Personalized and cute, this plate is perfect for a stocking stuffer (just make sure it is wrapped carefully!!).
4. myAdgendas are the BEST planners ever, and these mini ones are a great size for people on the go. I highly recommend them.
5. Philosophy makes the cutest sets, and this duo smells amazing.
6. These target pajamas are cute and incredibly comfortable- I own them in every color! If you know anyone who loves to lounge, definitely put these on your list.
7. This Nordstrom exclusive comes with an included glitter pouch!
Happy Gifting!
xo,
Grace
Believe!
I love this time of the year so much! It can be stressful with so much going on, but it is also such a hopeful time because there is truly so much to look forward to. Right now, I am pushing through my work with the excitement and joy of knowing that when I am done I will get to celebrate with my loved ones!
I love this print from Etsy-- you can do what you set your mind to, you just need to believe!
Have a great Tuesday night!
xo,
Grace
What to Wear to a Debutante Ball!
This weekend, one of my best friends had her Debutante Ball. She looked beautiful and we had so much fun!!
Most people I know (especially people who are not originally from the south) are always perplexed by the event and have no idea what to wear to one, or even what to expect.
So, as this was my third "ball," I have now proclaimed myself as an authority on what to wear to such an event... not sure if I am allowed to do that, but I am doing it anyway.
For the night before party -- usually a dance of some kind or a rehersal dinner like before a wedding-- I wore an Alice and Olivia dress called the "Fern Novelty Slip Dress" that I found in NYC at a sample sale. Here it is pictured on a beautiful model and on me:
Most people I know (especially people who are not originally from the south) are always perplexed by the event and have no idea what to wear to one, or even what to expect.
So, as this was my third "ball," I have now proclaimed myself as an authority on what to wear to such an event... not sure if I am allowed to do that, but I am doing it anyway.
For the night before party -- usually a dance of some kind or a rehersal dinner like before a wedding-- I wore an Alice and Olivia dress called the "Fern Novelty Slip Dress" that I found in NYC at a sample sale. Here it is pictured on a beautiful model and on me:
This was a great dress for the occasion because it was dressy (cocktail attire) but still fun and good to dance in.
The ball itself is a bit more tricky to dress for. I don't have a personal collection of evening dresses on hand, and the only really nice long dresses I have are from my Junior and Senior proms. As much as I loved those dresses, they had their time.
I knew I wanted to wear something that was appropriate for the winter season, and wanted to get a dress I can wear again for any kind of black tie/formal event. Therefore- I headed straight to my favorite color to wear- black.
Adrianna Papell Nordstrom (Also available in White!)
I found this dress at Nordstrom and loved wearing it. It is simple and so detailed at the same time. The skirt has tulle rosettes sewn into it and there is an awesome belt that goes around the smallest part of the waist that I find to be flattering on most everyone. There are even optional straps!
If you don't like going sleeveless, all you need is a wrap and you're set!
Here are some major don'ts if you ever find yourself invited to a debutante ball:
1. Do not wear a short dress to the ball, it has to be long.
2. Do not wear white or beige because people will mistake you for being a debutante
3. Do not wear uncomfortable shoes if you plan on dancing
That's all for now!
xo,
Grace
PS: Does it HAVE to be Monday tomorrow??