Wishlist for September

Oh hey there. So I have decided that I want to make it a regular thing around this blog to do a monthly "wishlist". I did one last month, and I am here this month with another. Not only does this get some of the urge to go shopping out of me (putting this together is like serious window shopping-if you love shopping, you'll know what I mean when I say that window shopping can be just as fun as real shopping!) but it hopefully is slightly entertaining to see products that others like!
fall blush // leggings // face // mask //  music //  top // 
Lets talk about that blush up there. I have to admit, I do have a berry-toned blush already, but this is more of a red-berry color, versus my purple-berry toned blush. I think it would be perfect for the cooler months! The leggings are nothing special, but I do need a pair of dark gray to match a lot of my tops and dresses-sometimes black doesn't look as good as I think gray would look! For the "face" item, I have been looking into products suited for oily skin. I literally can't seem to find the perfect foundation to control my oil. I am so uncomfortable with having extremely oily skin, which is why I chose to wear foundation-to serve as oil absorption. The best products I have found so far for my skin have been a couple of the mineral foundations I reviewed during the summer! A couple yearsago, I purchased the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation, and I think it worked well for my skin, but the color was wrong, so I returned it and didn't get a new one. Now I am wondering if I would like it as my winter foundation! For the "mask" product, I have been hearing SO much about Michael Todd products. I love watching beauty videos on youtube, and this organic brand has been ALL over youtube lately! This mask is supposed to draw out toxins and impurities...which sounds right up my alley! The "music" product is actually used for plugging your ipod into your car stereo...which I need soon! My radio is so messed up (super old car!) and I get tired of listening to Pandora on my phone because it kills my battery...so I think I will have to purchase one of these soon so I can have my music! Last but not least is this gorgeous top! I love the detail on the collar, and how it can be dressed up or down. I think it would make a great addition to my closet! 

What is on your wishlist?
XO, Kelsey  


It Begins Again: Coffee, Books, and Studying

College classes resume tomorrow...and I can't say I am too excited for this semester. If you didn't guess by the title, that is what this post is about. I am far too certain that I will spend countless hours studying, looking through books, preparing care plans for patients, and downing bottomless mugs of coffee to make it through the year. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited and lucky to be in the nursing program at my college- it just becomes so stressful, so much, and it is a very rocky time trying to balance school, friends, family, and a social life. Oh, and of course this blog. I kept up decently well last year with this blog, but I can't promise I will be super regular with posts! I do however always keep up with reading my favorite blogs, so feel free to share your link below so I can have a little non-studying reading material :) Also, if you are a nurse, or studying to become one, I would love to hear from you! Sometimes finding others I can relate to makes things a lot easier! Now, I am off to do an assignment that is due Tuesday, so I better check that off my list!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

Everything is Better with Marilyn [Outfit]

Do you ever look back at old actors or actresses, historical figures, singers, or models and just admire their beauty, elegance, or poise? I definitely do. For me, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn are two beauties that seem to hold the public's eye for all time. Something about them both just scream "classic beauty", but that is just my opinion! Lucky for me Persunmall was kind enough to gift me this tank top-and now I can reflect my admiration for Marilyn in my personal style! The tank itself is super comfortable and definitely easy to dress up or down. I received the top in a size small, and think that I may have even been able to get away with an x-small, mainly because there is slight ruching on the sides, but still room in the top for stretch.

Top: c/o Persunmall // Midi Shorts: American Eagle // Sandals: Forever 21 (similar) // Necklace: Forever 21 (old-sorry!)

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

Makeup Talk: Purely Cosmetics Mineral Makeup

It's no secret that I love makeup...love love love it. However, I always go through phases where I become super conscious of what I am putting on my skin. I have never been one to hate on drugstore beauty products, but I do like higher-end products when I can afford them, and when the ingredients make up for the price. The past few years I have wanted to use more natural products, and I have experimented with a few different brands-but just can't settle on one I love, so I go back to the products that may not have the "safest" ingredients, according to websites, news story's, etc. With all that being said, I think its about time that I get back into incorporating the mineral products I have been searching for these past few years! This is where experimentation comes in, and today, I want to talk about Purely Cosmetics Mineral Makeup*. In the hopes of keeping this post short, as I know I like to ramble most of the time, I will sum it up here for those that don't want to read into this post: in terms of wearing time, texture, and oil control, I do recommend this product highly, and over Bare Minerals. In terms of comparing this brand to the two other brands I have recently reviewed (here and here), I would say that Monave and Purely Cosmetics are basically tied (although Purely Cosmetics is less "heavy" feeling on the skin than Monave), and then the Everyday Minerals Brand comes after.

For a more in depth review [and pictures] read on!

Since I have previously included pictures with no makeup on (before any foundation), I decided not to include them this time. You can see those pictures in the previous posts listed above. My main concern when looking for foundation is to cover any redness, even out skin tone, and control oil. My skin tone and texture isn't too bad (thankfully), so oil control is definitely the biggest concern! Below is a shot of me wearing the foundation.

It definitely covers what I need it to, and wears well throughout the day. I have been working 6 days a week as a waitress, and even through all the sweating and running around, it is still on me after a long shift! I do wear a primer with it, as I wear a primer with any foundation I wear! I would say that after about 5-6 hours, I start to see a little shine coming through. I haven't noticed any breakouts or skin issues since using it, and I really feel good about having it on my skin. I apply this foundation with a dense Kabuki brush, using swirling motions (as I would all my other mineral foundations!) The color I have been using is "Olive Beige".

With my samples, I recieved a blush, three eyeshadows, two bronzers, and 3 different shades of the foundation. Below are swatches of all of these samples!

 L to R: Pearlescent Blush in "Blushing". Eyeshadows in "Cappuccino", "Emerald", and "Soft Moon". (How gorgeous are these?!)

L to R: Bronzers in "Deeply Bronzed" and "Lightly Bronzed". Both are swatched lightly, and then with more product.

Adorable sample sizes!

Foundation swatches, L to R: "Maria", "Neutral Medium", and "Olive Beige". As you can see, these are swatched on the inside of my arm, which tends to be a little lighter than the rest of my body. I think that on my face, "Olive Beige" is a pretty good match! The "Neutral Medium" shade is just a bit too pink for me, and "Maria" is a tad too light.

 Foundation ingredients.

Here is a good picture of the blush on my skin-it looks so nice when light hits it!


 Now that I have talked about all the colorful samples I received, I want to tell you about three other items that came in the package! One is the Silk and Pearl Powder Primer. It is exactly what it states-and it makes your skin feel so smooth, while helping the foundation to apply even easier. I have always been one to use my liquidy/gel primers, but this product is really interesting, and it does its job well! Next, I received what is called Oil Absorb. Uhm, yes. Yes you absorb. You are the center of my makeup universe currently. I am trying so hard to ration this out-it is that good. You all know I have super oily skin (I always complain talk about it in makeup posts) that just doesn't want to be controlled, so to find something like this? Heaven. I have been applying it before using just about any foundation lately, and find that my skin does not stay as oil-free when I skip it! Lastly, I was sent the Diamond Perfect Finish Powder. I won't lie-I didn't use this as often as everything else. I am so in love with my Mac Blot Powder that it was just plain hard to use any other finishing powder. However, the times I did use it, I felt that it was finely milled, and left my skin feeling soft, and seemed to make me look a bit airbrushed? (That is good, right?)

To wrap it up, again, I recommend this line of makeup! If you are looking up for a mineral makeup especially, I think this is a good choice! It works for oily skin, but I think those with dry or combination skin could like it, if they moisturize first-also, it isn't a completely matte finish, so it shouldn't look cakey on dry skin! I encourage you to read up on any and all makeup you wish to purchase; it definitely makes a big difference when buying products! A lot of information regarding products I mentioned can be found on the company's website, which can teach you a lot more in depth about each thing I was sent :)

*These products were sent to me for consideration. I did not get compensated for this post, and have tried out this brand for over 3 months now! All thoughts are my own and honest! 

What is your favorite mineral makeup brand?
See the Monave Mineral Makeup Review here.
See the Everyday Mineral Makeup Review here.
See my latest outfit post here.
See my latest makeup look here.

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

Draped Back Casual and a Little Quote Love!

Short and sweet post today! I am always working it seems (usually 6-7 days of the week!) so when I can get out of my work clothes, sometimes I just want to dress up. Some days I want to be comfy casual, and others I want to get use out of the "dressier" items. I decided to pair this tank top with jean shorts to make it a little more casual, and I think it pretty much is the epitome of my style! If you like this top, try to get it now! It is on sale on the site for $12.50 right now! Now, moving on to the outfit...and one of my favorite quotes! :)


There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”  
-Albert Einstein



Top: Charlotte Russe  // Shorts: American Eagle // Sandals: Walmart (similar) // Bracelet: Forever 21


Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

What is your favorite quote?

Wishlisting in August

This summer has been so busy for me, with working, class, helping plan my sisters wedding and reception, and trying to have a social life (whats that, right?) Being so busy means I haven't really had time to shop, which is awesome for my bank account. Seeing how summer is starting to come to a close (hello August!) and fall will creep up on us when we are least expecting it, I put together a little wishlist of items I have been eying to start to transition to a new season. I may or may not purchase a few of these things in the near future :)

Monroe Smile Tank // Mac Turquatic Perfume // Mossimo Ankle Boots // Mac Pink Venus Eyeshadow  // Bird Print Shirt // Colorblocked Flats // Comeback Sweater

Seriously, how perfect are some of these pieces?! I am imagining how cute that sweater would be with those flats...and it's hard not to just buy these items right now! What are you eying lately? Do you have a wishlist?

Most recent post: Sunlit Bronze Makeup Look

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey