Review: CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous Concealer!

Hey Everyone!

Wow, longtime no blogging. I have been so busy lately, but I have really missed blogging and making YouTube videos. I thought my first post back should be about a product that I've been really enjoying and that product is the CoverGirl "Ready, Set, Gorgeous" concealer!

I bought this concealer about a month and a half ago at Target for $5.99. I had run out of my Loreal true match concealer (which I wasn't a fan of) so I wanted to try out something new. I really tried this concealer out on a whim, because I had never heard anything about it before. My only experience with the "ready, set, gorgeous" line was the foundation, which I did a review on on my YouTube channel, which you can watch here.

I got the shade light, which is my perfect match.

I think the packaging is very simple and pretty. Pink is my favorite color, so I love the cute font and color. 

The applicator is the standard doe foot applicator, which makes the application very easy. 

Something that I love about this concealer is that it is very natural looking on my skin. Since I typically don't wear makeup day to day to class, when I use it, I just use it to cover up my dark circles or any unwanted friends that may have popped up over night. This concealer is also my perfect color and blends like a dream. 

As you can see, the concealer is a great match for my skin and covers up my blue veins on my wrist beautifully. 

Here is a picture of it blended. For some reason, it is picking up really yellow on camera, but in person it is my perfect shade. 

If you are in the market for a high coverage concealer, then this one probably isn't for you. Yes, it is a great concealer, and provides a natural coverage, but you can still see things through it, which is something that I like for everyday. Then again, for the $5.99 price, you cannot beat it!

I hope that you guys liked this post and that you try out this concealer. If you end up trying it, please tweet me @FashionandM321. I've been tweeting and instagramming a ton lately, so make sure that you guys follow me on those! 

xoxo,

Abbey

How to: "Party Pony"

Hey Everyone!

I have enjoyed doing hair tutorials on my blog in the past, so I thought today I would do one on the up and coming "party pony". Some of you may have heard of this, some of you may not have, but the party pony is basically a cool way of saying that you are rocking the hairstyle you wore when you were 6. I have been wearing this hairstyle to a lot lately and I have loved it. It is a great way to have your hair out of your face, but still allowing your hair to be down.

You can wear this hairstyle with curled or straightened hair, but I prefer straightened because it gives it a more edgy look, in my opinion.

Start off by straightening your hair completely, I mean get it PIN straight, because that is what will look the best.

 I am using the GHD flat iron, it's expensive, but well worth the price.

Next, take the very top section of your hair and grab your clear elastic. Wrap your clear elastic around as many times as you can. Pull tight to secure.

Ignore my makeup-less face, I took these pics after a long day of classes, but hey thats life ya know:)) Also, shootout to my roomie, Kendra, for taking these pictures for me -- you're the best!!!

That is it for the "party pony" hairstyle! I hope that you guys enjoyed and let me know if you want more hair tutorials on the blog in the future!

xoxo



Abbey

My Current Etsy Picks!

Hey Everyone!

In the last couple months, I have honestly become obsessed with Etsy. If you have been living under a rock and do not know what Etsy is, then it is basically an abundance of small shops that make anything from wedding bands, to planner stickers, to jewelry to even foods! It is such an amazing website that has such beautiful treasures.

I have ordered tons of stuff from Etsy in the past (I even got my mom hooked) and I thought it would be fun to share with you guys what is currently on my Etsy wish list.

Ever since I joined my sorority, Delta Gamma *throws up gamma*, I have been typing in Delta Gamma in the search bar and favoriting my favorite things, obviously. So be prepared for a lot of DG stuff!

The first thing on my list is a gold, bar necklace with the DG letters on it. I love the way bar necklaces look, especially layered with another necklace. I have a silver bar necklace with the coordinates of my house on it and I absolutely love it, so I definitely wanted a gold version as well, since I wear my silver one all the time.

Shop source: ERiaDesignsToo

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/206138797/greek-sorority-necklace-gold-bar?ref=favs_view_8

Price: $46

Since I go to The University of Alabama, I really wanted to get a Christmas ornament to commemorate my first year as a student. I have never been impressed by the ornaments in the student store, so I figured I would look at Etsy to see what they had and of course, they had a perfectly cute one. 

Shop Source: doodlebugsga

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/156651685/university-of-alabama-logo-ornament?ref=favs_view_3

Price: $22

I got a new laptop case before I went to college because my old one was covered in stickers from my high school and local business stickers. I have taken my time getting stickers for my new laptop case, as of now I only have two, but I wanted one that would show that I am a DG and also had a monogram, so the sticker below is perfect. It not only has an anchor, which is DG's symbol, but a monogram too which you guys know I love. 

Shop Source: DenisesSimplyUnique

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/233929423/outdoor-vinyl-anchor-car-monogram?ref=favs_view_5

Price: $3.50

So it rains a lot more in Tuscaloosa than I anticipated, so I didn't bring a rain jacket with me. I found this rain jacket on Etsy and I think it is so cute. I love how it has the monogram option (which I would personally get the treading in white), but I think that the black coat is perfect because it won't get dirty either. 

Shop source: fourbugsinarug

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/204290928/monogrammed-pullover-rain-jacket-half?ref=favs_view_10

Price: $39

So the 5th and final item is another monogrammed item (surprise surprise) but this one is for my dorm room. I need something big to go above my bead, so I thought something like this would be perfect. I would most likely get mine in white, or possibly gold since my room is mainly white and gold themed. 

Shop source: ACharmedNest

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/209289473/24-wooden-monogram-wall-monogram-vine?ref=favs_view_4

Price: $29

I hope that you guys liked this post, I think that it is fun to share with you guys what I am currently lusting over, especially when it comes from such an affordable place like Etsy! 

Let me know what you're lusting over right now, by tweeting me @FashionandM321

xoxo,

Abbey

August 2015 Photo Roundup!

Hello Everyone!

I did one of these a while back when I hadn't posted in a while and since I haven't been that active on social media this past month, I figured I would do another photo round up post!

I have to say that August 2015 was definitely a life changing month for me - I moved away from home, joined a sorority and started college!

I made the 11 and a half hour drive from home to Alabama with my mom and her boyfriend Jeff!

Saw my dorm room for the first time and did a complete overhaul! 

I won't be posting a pic until a I get a few more things for the walls, because right now it doesn't look complete!

Ran into my long lost elementary school best friend on the bus to rush convocation! 

The next few pics are of what I wore during rush! 

Open House Day 1!

Open House Day 2!

Philanthropy Day 1! 

Philanthropy Day 2! 

Skit Day Round 1! 

Skit Day Round 2!

Pref Night! 

Waiting to open my bid…

Opened my bid and GOT MY FIRST CHOICE!!

Sweet Home Delta Gamma! 

Went on a pledge retreat with all my new sisters to Chattanooga, TN!

Witnessed an Indian wedding at 9:30 am in Chattanooga! 

Had my perfect roomie take a first day of school pic for me! Here we go college…

Got pinned with my new fav Emily! 

My roommate and I experienced our first college outing together -- so fun! 

These pens have also changed my life, no lie. Run to Target right now and get them. My handwriting looks 23923094x better when I use this magical thing. 

That pretty much wraps up August (even though we still have a few days left)! If anything else exciting happens, I'll make sure to Instagram it, so follow me on there! @FashionandMakeup321

Let me know if you guys like more of these posts and/or if you would like them monthly?! 

Also, as you can imagine, between sorority life and starting a brand new school with brand new classes, I can barely find time to think straight! So just be patient with me with regards to uploading videos!! In the next couple days I will have some free time which will be lovely! 

xoxo

Abbey

Foods to Make: Cilantro, Lime Shrimp

Hey Everyone!

Wow, today was my first day of classes for college. I'm sorry but where did the days of juice boxes and ants on a log go?! Anyways…I haven't done one of these posts in a while and so I figured it was time to bring them back - right? I made this recipe about a month and a half ago with my mom and I was shocked at how easy and delicious this was. It is also pretty healthy for you!

As many of you know, I LOVE shrimp. If you watched my weekly vlog series, then you know I love sautéing shrimp. It is so easy and delicious. I've described exactly how I make it in one of the vlogs, so if you're interested, check one of those out :)))

This post however is not about how I make my shrimp on the reg, but about the amazing recipe that is cilantro lime shrimp.

I first found the recipe on Pinterest, like I do all of my other recipes that I share with you. I cooked it all by myself, so you shouldn't be afraid to try out this recipe as well!

Here is the link to the recipe: http://stephaniezahlmann.blogspot.com/2012/04/cilantro-lime-shrimp-with-green-beans.html
* I didn't want green beans as my side, so we just did a salad instead.

Ingredients:

2 TSP Olive Oil
2 LB Shrimp (deviened and shelled) I got mine at Whole Foods.
6 cloves of garlic - crushed
1/3 cup of fresh cilantro
1 lime
Salt and pepper

All you do is pour your two teaspoons of olive oil into a hot pan and add your shrimp. Once the shrimp tails have turned pink, flip them over and add your garlic. Once you flip them, it should be about a minute and a half until they are completely cooked and you can pull them out. I like to slightly burn mine, I know that sounds a little weird, but I think it tastes better when the shrimp has a little but more of flavor on the edges. To me, it gives a little bit of a teriyaki vibe.

Anyways, after you pull your shrimp off, pour them into a bowl. In the bowl add your lime and garlic. Serve this dish hot and there you have it!

*picture credit to stephaniezahlmann.blogspot.com*

See?! I told you guys it would be easy. It was delicious and simple, I highly recommend it!

Until next time foodies,



Abbey

Review: It Cosmetics CC Cream (Illumination vs. Normal)

Hey Everyone!

Today, I thought that it would be fun to do a little comparison between the It Cosmetics original CC cream and the illumination version. I wanted to do the comparison so that if any of you don't know which one you want, then hopefully this post will help you find that answer!

As many of you know, this CC cream has been my favorite for well over a year. I have tried many BB and CC creams, but this is by FAR the best! It is natural, but still provides great coverage, has an amazing SPF and also lasts all day!

I have actually already done an in depth review over the original CC cream, so if you want to read that, then here is the link: http://fashionandmakeup321.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-it-cosmetics-cc-cream.html

Obviously, the formula itself is different, but the packaging of the two are also slightly different. The original CC cream has a silver metallic packaging, where as the illumination has a slightly pink packaging, which I think is super fun!

I first heard that It Cosmetics had come out with an illumination version of their CC cream on Marrisa Lace's channel on YouTube. I was immediately intrigued, because I am all about giving your skin an overall glow-y appearance.

It wasn't until May that I actually went into Ulta to try it out on my hand and instantly fell in love with the way it glowed.

The original CC cream gives a nice dewy look to your skin, but not a glow like the illumination does. If you have super oily skin, you may want to stray away from the illumination version just because it does give more of a glow and that may conflict with your oil.

With that being said, I am normal to oily and I have had abosulutley no problems with the illumination version making me look greasy or too oily, it truly does look beautiful on your skin.

As you can see, the regular CC cream comes out as any other foundation/bb cream would. It has a very natural appearance to the cream itself.

Where as the illumination CC cream has a very pearlescent look to it when you look at it up close, which is what gives your skin such a dewy and glow-y appearance. 

As you can see in the above picture, it really does look so incredible on the skin! It gives such a beautiful illumination, hence the name :)) 

All in all, I think that both these CC creams are great, but I have to say, I think I am a bit partial to the illumination version, just because not only is it gorgeous, but it doesn't get nasty when combined with my oily prone skin. 

If I were someone wondering which CC cream to get, I would just go into an Ulta and swatch both on the back of my hand. See how you like the finishes of each and which one looks the best on your skin. It Comestics did a great job with both! 

I hope that you guys liked this post and that you guys found it helpful in comparing the two products! 

xoxo

Abbey

My Current Dream Wish List!

Hey Everyone!

If you are anything like me, you are very goal driven. With that being said, about 2 months ago, I decided that I would start a list on my phone of my "dream" wish list. By having this list, I can see that if I work hard enough, I can buy these beautiful things for myself. I thought that it would be fun to share with you guys things that I am currently lusting over!

First things first (I'm the realest) okay sorry I had to… but first up on the list is from the latest Tiffany & Co Collection called "Tiffany T".

I first saw pictures of this collection on Cara Delevigne's instagram and instantly thought that it was completely beautiful and totally unique than anything that Tiffany has ever done.

Picture Source: Google (LOL #bliss)

Since I have such a girl crush on Cara, I had to go on the website and scope it all out. Now, to be real with you guys, this collection is expensive. A lot of the pieces aren't offered in sterling silver, but just plain white gold, which is crazy, but that is how they decided to do it.

Here are a couple of pictures of my personal favorites from the "Tiffany T" collection:

*Picture credit to tiffany.com*

Price: $950

*Picture credit to tiffany.com*

Price: $1,500

Also, when I was in the Tiffany store, I tried on the gold bracelet pictured above. I found it so interesting because the two sides of the bracelet are very flexible, you can bend them and mess with them until you get the bracelet how you like it on your wrist. Yet the bottom of the bracelet is completely solid and doesn't move at all. 

The items pictured above are things that I think are incredibly beautiful, but that isn't what I am completely lusting over, what I love is the "T Square" ring. 

*picture credit to tiffany.com*

I of course first fell in love with this beauty when I saw Cara's picture, just because I loved how simple, yet modern, but classic it was. It's just plain gorgeous and I also love how chunky it is. There is a thiner option, but I like the thickness of this one in particular. 

I actually tried the ring on in the store and it looked so beautiful on too. I'm a size 7 for any of you that are wondering or would like to buy it for me ;) 

The next jewelry piece that I have been wanting for a while is the Hermes narrow enamel bracelet. I personally would want the black with a silver trim, just because silver is what I gravitate towards. 

*picture credit to hermes.com*

I think that this piece is so classic, but yet so funky! I love how the H draws people in that maybe wouldn't necessarily know that it is Hermes right off the bat. As many of you know, I am majoring in fashion marketing in college and that's why this post is gravitating more towards the classic pieces that are totally in style, but yet timeless. 

Now if you are utterly obsessed with all things fashion like me, then you know the new "it" shoe is of course the Chanel espadrilles. They recently re-designed them so that they would be more comfortable, and just overall more practical. 

Even though I think that espadrilles are probably just a trend that will probably leave us soon, but I honestly just love the espadrille look. Of course since they are Chanel, they add so much more glamour to just a slip on shoe. 

If I were to get my hands on a pair of these, I would want the ones that are white based, with a blocked off black toe. I'm not exactly sure what the exact style is called, because I couldn't find the espadrilles on the Chanel website, but you can see the picture below. 

*picture credit to google (once again LOL)

Even though the OCD in me freaks out that these are white and could possibly get dirty, but then again why would I wear these where they would get dirty?? :)) So these are definitely my biggest shoe lust right now just because they are such a classic style. I honestly just LOVE these and would die if I got a pair. 

The last thing on my wish list is the Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 Bandouliere bag. I have loved the speedy  style for as long as I can remember. I loved the effortless class that it brought and the beautiful monogram pattern that the bag held. What I didn't love was the fact that the handles weren't exactly the most practical because you either have to hold it by hand or in the crook of your arm, which would drive me crazy because I am such a shoulder bag/cross body bag kind of girl. 

*picture credit to louisvuitton.com*

*picture credit to louisvuitton.com*

Fast forward to when they came out with the bandouliere bag and all of my dreams came true. *insert heart eye emoji here* 

*picture credit to louisvuttion.com*

*picture credit to louisvuitton.com*

As you can see, the style of the speedy didn't change, all that was added was the leather paneling on the side as well as the cross body strap.  Once they came out with this, I knew that there was nothing stopping me from wanting to purchase this bag. To me, it is the ultimate perfection. 

I hope that you guys liked this post! Maybe in the future I will do another blogpost on other things that I am lusting over!

I would love to see what you guys are currently wanting, so tweet me pictures @FashionandM321 !

xoxo

Abbey