Paper Planners & Journals

If you have a smart phone/tablet that you carry with you regularly, you already have a digital planner at your fingertips. Digital planners are so easy and convenient to use! They can sync basically your whole life with one tap. Being able to set alarms and reminders is also a huge plus.

It's probably just me, but for some reason I really miss having a physical planner. Journals too. Just something to write/doodle/brainstorm ideas in, or just something to jot down a quick idea.

 It also sucks when you need to add an event or check your calendar and one or both of your devices are dead.  

I'm partial to hand writing things (don't know why). You can color code on most digital planners, but I like highlighting things and putting stars and stickers next to important things in paper planners. I had shark stickers all over one of my planners to make sure I never missed "shark week" every month. 

And they are just so darn cute. 

You also have an excuse to buy ridiculously adorable stickers, washi tape, bookmarks, etc.

I never had any washi tape but I see I missed out because it's so cute. Washi tape can be used several different ways. The way I've seen it used most often is for marking several days in a row in your planner, if you're going on vacation for 5 days for example.
You can get stickers for literally anything - shark week, when to take pills, a water tracker, events, workout, pay day, bill due, etc. Just make sure you use them wisely and not make your planner too hectic. Of course a book mark is a necessity. You can buy cute little decorative ones or you can use a simple paperclip.

Seriously though look at those stickers. Who would ever think a bill due date would look so pretty?

I've gone through 2 Moleskine notebooks (pink ones!) and now I'm halfway through another note/sketchbook right now. I used them to practice writing with my fountain pens, practice calligraphy, doodle, write lists and blog ideas, write when I can't sleep, and anything else really.

So lovelies, do you still use a physical planner? Or are you strictly digital? What about notebooks? Let me know - I'm curious to see if I'm the only one left!

Lovely Links

I usually used to do these on Fridays to kick off the weekend, but I figured I'd do one on a Monday to kick off the week!

Having trouble picking the best nail shape for you? Beautylish guides you through, square, oval, squoval, round, etc., and how to get your desired nail shape!

If you also live in the Holy City that is Charleston, SC, then you're lucky like me. If you don't already have 4th of July plans, here is a calendar of events going on around the lowcountry.

Speaking of this national holiday, not sure what to wear? Here are some subtle and chic ways to wear red, white, and blue without going all out.

Again, if you're going to be out for the 4th, make sure to wear plenty of SPF that's right for your skin!

I'm sure you all have a favorite band or artist that you never get tired of no matter what. Well mine happens to be Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks. Watch her evolution of style (I LOVE #21) and steal it too. You can find Stevie Nicks-esque items on Etsy, Gypsy Moon, Jolly Chic, and get some more inspiration from Pinterest. She's the goddess of bohemian style and I love it. (I'll be doing a Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac inspired post soon, I've just decided).

Note: If and when I have kids, I WILL be decorating and doodling on my kid(s)'s lunch bags like this. So cool!

Never read/seen the Harry Potter movies? Here are some Harry Potter words and names pictured by people who have never seen or read them. These are actually pretty hilarious.

And just for shits and giggles to kick off a good week, here's some adorable motivation to get you through the week! If he can do it, so can you. Hang in there!

Products and Brands for Halloween Makeup

As you can probably tell from all of my Halloween related posts, I'm pretty freaking excited for Halloween this year! It's a few days after my 18th birthday and I actually did not wait until the last minute to get a costume and makeup this year. I found a few specific brands and products that you might want to check out if you're looking for some good makeup items, whether you're being a scary zombie or a pretty fairy.

1. L'Oreal HiP

As I said in a previous post, I'm being an alien this year, and I needed to find a lot of metallic and glittery silver makeup. I bought a silver eyeliner and one of their metallic shadow duos (in Platinum, if you were wondering). I was actually VERY impressed by both of these items. They are incredibly pigmented. The eyeshadow is exactly the opaque, metallic silver that I was looking for and the eyeliner is creamy and applies so easily. I haven't tried any other products from this line, but if they are up to par with these 2 then I would recommend checking them out.

Just a side note, I tested the eyeshadow before I got in the shower (no primer) and when I got out of the shower there was still a very nice amount of color and shadow on my eye.

2. NYX and LA Splash Glitter

This was also another "first" purchase from both of these brands (I got the Glitter on the Go by NYX and the Body/Face Glitter from LA Splash). Both of these products can be used on your face, body hair, nails, and anywhere else you want, and you get a very nice amount of product for a cheap price. I can't speak for the other glittery products from these brands though, because I haven't tried them. But if you're like me and you don't wear glitter a lot, these are great because they have a huge variety of colors and are very affordable. Just make sure you have a good glitter adhesive or primer (LA Splash has a really good one that's a lot cheaper than the Two Faced Glitter Glue, and from what I've read it works better too!).

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3. Liquid latex (eyelash adhesive) and/or toilet paper

This is good if you are doing any sort of injury or zombie makeup. You can either just spread some liquid latex on your skin and kind of pick it apart and go over it with makeup, or apply the liquid latex to your skin, apply toilet paper over that, and then apply makeup on top of it all. Good makeup would be flesh tone makeup so it doesn't look like you just have toilet paper stuck to your face, fake blood, dark red lipstick, dark blue or purple eyeshadow (bruises), or food coloring.

4. Tape

Regular scotch tape or whatever you have at home will do. This is good if you need to do any sort of sharp or precise lines anywhere on your face. I used this trick a few years ago when I wanted a really dramatic, drawn up sharp cat eye look. It's pretty fierce.

5. Fishnet Stockings

I'm considering using these for my makeup but I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do yet. This can be used to create the effect of scales. All you have to do is cut a portion of the fishnet off, and spread it over wherever you want the scales to be. The only thing is, you can't pick up the stockings once you've started and place them again, because it would be extremely difficult to get all of those lined up perfectly. This would be especially good for a mermaid, alien, snake, or fish type of costume.

Example: (no, it's not me. she's gorgeous though!)

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I promise I'll start doing non Halloween related posts soon, haha. I'm just too excited :) What are your Halloween plans?

Halloween Inspiration: Where's Waldo?

I got the inspiration for this costume inspiration (hehe) from my mom, who needs a more toned down costume for work. Most costumes you will find at a Halloween store are probably not appropriate to wear to work or school or if you just aren't comfortable wearing anything too flashy.

This costume is easy to create because you may already have some of the items in your closet, or you can reuse them on a regular basis if you have to buy new items. You're makeup can also be very neutral and easy, so you probably won't have to buy any new makeup for this either. This is perfect for work, if you don't want to spend a lot on a costume, or if you don't feel like going all out this Halloween!

Once again, let me know if you have any good costume ideas or what you are going to be this year :) Also, if you have a pet, do you dress your pet up for Halloween? If so, as what?

Halloween Inspiration: Robot/Alien

When I first started creating this, my intention was to create an alien costume (not you're typical ugly green alien either), but the more I looked at it the more it looks like a robot. So, take this however you see it. I am personally going to be an alien this year, wearing a costume somewhat similar to this :)

click the picture for product info

Tip: if you want to look more alien-esque rather than a robot, try to do some cool effects with your makeup. Check out this video tutorial for some ideas.

You could also try to find some green clothes instead of silver, but while I was shopping silver was MUCH easier to find.

Check back soon for some more Halloween costume ideas! :) Let me know if you have a suggestion or let me know what you are going to be this year!