Friday Five

{An assortment of colorful toppings to choose from for our fro-yo.}

I spent this week much like last week. Relaxing. Spending as much time as possible with the bf and going to our favorite spots in town. But my vacation is coming to a close and I'm headed back to New York tomorrow afternoon. Cue the violins. Leaving is always bittersweet for me. Obviously I'll miss the warm weather and the bf but I'm excited to start my last semester of college, my new internship, and to see my girlfriends. 

{New purchases from Ulta.} 

{A delicious burger & sweet potato fries we had for lunch one day.}

{A lace tank with a peter pan collar that Pat's mom gave me as a gift.}

{A couple of ducks hanging out.}

Friday Five

{The most adorable pups ever.}

This past week has been one of those weeks that I wish would never end. Being in Myrtle Beach is such a different life than living in New York. Everything is so much calmer here, not to mention its been sunny and in the 70's all week. I spent my week truly relaxing. Afternoons spent reading on the deck overlooking the water. Long runs at dusk. And spending amazing quality time with the bf. I never want to go home! Here are five things currently making me happy this week.

{A new notebook and my favorite childhood snack.}

{Delicious pizza that Pat & I devoured at California Pizza Kitchen.} 

{A stack of magazines I plan on finishing while laying in the sun over the weekend.} 

{A gorgeous sunset.}

June Favorites

The first week of July was extremely busy for me with the fourth being smack in the middle of the week. I completely forgot to do my monthly favorites. So here they are, my June favorites.

1. Face Stockholm Nail Polish in Neon Sunset: I've been searching for the perfect neon nail polish for quite some time now. I really like the American Apparel neon collection but when I stumbled across this nail polish in J Crew, I was beyond excited. It's the most gorgeous shade of neon pink. It goes on so nicely and stays for a really long time. 

2. The Lumineers- Ho Hey: You know when you're watching television and a commercial comes on and the song just sticks with you? I first heard this song on the Bing "Discovering Hawaii" commercial and could not get it out of my head. It's such a sweet song. 

3. Mirror Mirror: I am one of those girls that loves all things fairytale. (Maybe that's all girls.) Snow White is one of my favorites so I was really excited to see Mirror Mirror. I didn't get a chance to see it in theaters but it recently came out on DVD and I loved it! It was so cute and fun. I probably watched it give times already. 

4. Anthropologie Viscid Watch in Sky: In love with this watch. I usually wear my Michael Kors watch every day but I wanted a colorful alternative for summer. I saw this watch on the Anthropologie website and of course it was backordered for months and sold out in the store in my mall. By some miracle they had one left in another store so I ran over there and bought it as a birthday present to myself. I've gotten so many compliments on it. 

5. Nars Pro Prime Multi-Protect Primer: I used to be one of those people that didn't believe in primers. I usually just put on my moisturizer and then my makeup on top of that and skipped the primer step. I got this over a year ago and used it maybe once but I recently began using it every day and it really does make a huge difference. It has a really nice texture. It's not too thick, goes on smooth and keeps my makeup in place all day. And bonus it has SPF 30!

6. Anthropologie Chevron Frame in Pink: I had been eyeing this frame for months but decided $30 was a little too much but then my friends bought it for me as part of my birthday present. I absolutely love it. 

7. Red Mango: I am a big fan of frozen yogurt. Everyone always talks about Red Mango and how amazing it is but I never had the chance to try it. There were no Red Mangos near me. Finally they opened one close to my house and now I see what all the hype is about! So many flavors and so many toppings! It was delicious. I have to say though, they tricked me. I was not aware that you payed by how much it weighed and with only one size cups, I filled it up as much as I could. It cost me $10!

8. Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Jive: A while ago I put a review up of the Korres Lip Butter Glaze I bought. I thought that was the best lip product I could find, until I discovered this one. Honestly, this one is so much better. It's a real lip stain, not just a glaze. The color stays on for hours and looks so natural. I am in love! I've been wearing it every day. I'm definitely going to be purchasing this in some of the other colors. 

May Favorites

It's time for my monthly favorites! These are the top 8 things that I loved in May, from beauty products to songs to movies. I hope you like! 

1. O.P.I. Nail Laquer in Pink Friday: I have been searching for Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday nail polish for months! Every time I went to Ulta or any other beauty supply store, it was sold out. I finally got my hands on it a couple of weeks ago and I am in love. I'm actually wearing it right now. It's the perfect shade of bubblegum pink.

2. Maroon 5- Payphone: Currently loving this song. I probably played this song over 100 times in my iTunes during May and prayed every time I got in the car that it would be on the radio.

3. Marvel's The Avengers: Marvel's The Avengers hit theaters in the beginning of May and I had to see it. My boyfriend and I have been waiting since Captain America for this movie to come out and it did not disappoint. It was funny and exciting and full of action. Definitely a must see for anyone who hasn't gotten a chance yet. 

4. Soap & Glory Hand Food: I did a product review on Hand Food in the middle of May but I had to include this in my monthly favorites. It's the perfect hand cream and keeps your hands soft, smooth and hydrated. And it smells amazing!

5. Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner: I had been eyeing this gel liner for a while but it's a bit pricy at $22. Finally I decided to purchase it and am in love. I don't generally like to wear eyeliner in the summer because it gets a hot and humid and I usually end up looking like a raccoon by the end of the night, but Bobbi Brown was not kidding when she called this "longwear". It does not smudge even after hours of wearing it. It's the perfect liner. 

6. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James: Fifty Shades of Grey has obviously been the talk of the town as of late as I'm sure most of you have noticed. It's racy and provocative while still remaining a great love story. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet. I absolutely loved all three of the books and am crossing my fingers, hoping that she decides to write another one.

7. Stop & Shop Dinosaur Snacks: Silly, I know, but I could eat a whole box of this Dinosaur Fruit Snacks in one sitting. So delicious. I really need to start eating healthier but I had to share these with you cause they are my favorite. I even pack them in my suitcase when I go to Myrtle Beach because they only sell them at Stop and Shop! 

8. J. Crew Garment-Dyed Ankle Zip Toothpick Jean in Neon Rose: I am a major fan of colored jeans. I think I have about 5 or 6 pairs now. I don't even like real jeans anymore. These might be my favorite purchase though. They're the perfect pop of color for summer and super comfortable. I love the zipper on the ankle too. 

Friday Favorites

Favorite Jeans
{The High Water from Joe's Jeans}

Favorite Tea Towel
{Proud to Lick Cake Bowls from Howkapow}

Favorite Crossbody Bag
{The Tillary Purse in Neon Coral from J.Crew}

Favorite Recipe
{Pizza Quesadillas from Snixy Kitchen}

Favorite Flowers
{Pink Peonies}

April Favorites

I constantly find myself watching YouTube videos that beauty gurus make. I love watching the monthly favorites they make where they rave about their favorite products of the past month. I follow their recommendations a lot of the time and that's how I find new beauty products to try. I currently do a weekly favorites (Friday Favorites!) but those are more generalized. I thought I'd try monthly favorites out on my blog but include an array of different categories from favorite beauty products to favorite food to favorite book. Since it's still the first week of May I decided to share with you my April Favorites, which includes everything I've been loving this past month. Hope you like!

1. O.P.I. Nail Laquer in Cajun Shrimp: This was by far my favorite nail polish color of April. My friend Priscilla wore it to school and I fell in love. I literally went out and bought it the next week. I'm a huge fan of coral and red shades. This one takes the cake though. 

2. Karmin- Brokenhearted: Obsessed with this song. I put this on my iPod as soon as I get in the car. It's just so catchy and fun! Perfect for when I'm jamming out alone in my car, singing at the top of my lungs and acting like a total fool. 

3. Voluspa Japonica Candle Tin in Santiago Huckleberry: Whenever I go into Anthropologie I find myself taking the cover off of every candle and searching for the perfect smell. This candle is a mix of spicy and sweet. It smells so amazing. 

4. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for Fair to Medium Skin Tones: After reading tons and tons of articles about how terrible tanning is for you, I stopped going to the tanning salon. However, I still think a healthy glow makes all the difference in the world. I'm a major fan of St. Tropez Self Tanners but I recently tried this Jergens one (much cheaper) and loved it. It works after just one use and doesn't leave you streaky or orange. 

5. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks: I love sappy love stories that take place in small towns in North Carolina. Thank you Nicholas Sparks. For the most part I've loved every book I've read of his. This is now one of my favorites. I read it in the beginning of April right after my Spring Break and could not put it down! It sucks you right in. I absolutely recommend this. 

6. Ben & Jerry's Milk & Cookies: On the rare occasions that I eat ice cream I always buy my favorite ice cream, Ben & Jerry's Half Baked. When I went to the Hamptons a few weeks ago, my mom bought this Milk & Cookies flavor and I loved it. Literally ate the entire pint! It was so delicious. I might even like it better than Half Baked. This was definitely my favorite food of April and could quite possibly be my new favorite ice cream flavor. 

7. J Crew Classic Ballet Flats in Tawny Sand: I have an unhealthy shopping addiction but for some reason I never purchase shoes. When the warm weather hit New York in April, I had no shoes to wear. It was too hot for winter boots and not hot enough for summer sandals so I purchased these flats. They are a wardrobe staple for sure. They're so comfortable and go with everything!

8. Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegranate: I posted a product review of this lip butter glaze the first week of April. It quickly became my go to lip gloss. It adds a subtle pop of color to your lips without leaving sticky residue. I've been non stop using this. This is definitely my favorite lip product of April. 

Friday Favorites

Favorite Cupcakes
{Crumbs Bake Shop}

Favorite Casual Summer Look
{Shorts Paired with a Silk Button Down Blouse}

Favorite Flower
{Hydrangeas}

Favorite Actress
{Natalie Portman}

Favorite Place I've Visited
{Italy}

Friday Favorites

Favorite celeb style.
{Olivia Palermo}

Favorite photo.
{Tattoo of children's birth dates.}

Favorite dish I'd like to make.
{Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta}

Favorite summer updo.
{The Bun Braid}

Favorite view.
{Greece}

Favorite Things

1. Michael Kors Runway Watch 2. Ray Ban Aviators 3. Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm 4. Chloe Chloé 5. Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Candle in Lavender Vanilla 6. Essie Nailpolish in Wicked 7. Essie Nailpolish in Fifth Avenue 8. Essie Nailpolish in Van D'Go 9. Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch 10. J. Crew Chambray Shirt  

Beauty Essentials

When I started working at Sephora a couple of months ago I only knew the basics about beauty and hair products. I've learned a lot of beauty secrets and tips from working there and can now say that I am well informed on which products work and which don't. These are my favorite products.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion This lotion leaves your skin feeling smooth and extremely moisturized. $7

Clinique Moisture Surge This moisturizer works wonders for my skin. I bought my mom a similar moisturizer from Clinique and had been secretly using it every day. It got to the point where she hid it from me. (Of course I found her hiding spot.) I finally decided to buy one of my own and I’ve fallen in love. I have very dry skin and this seriously does give my skin “thirst relief”. $34

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer I personally don’t like to wear foundation. This tinted moisturizer evens out your skin tone while still being a light alternative to heavy foundation. $42

Nars Bronzer in Laguna This bronzer gives you a nice glow no matter what skin tone you are. I have very fair skin in the winter and still use this every day. It doesn’t make your skin look orange. It’s the perfect thing to give you that beachy afterglow. $33

Murad Acne Spot Treatment Every once in a while I have small breakouts and this stuff is amazing. I just dab it on as soon as I see a pimple coming and it’s gone by the next day. $18

Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm My best friend turned me onto this lip balm years ago and I have remained loyal to it. I have yet to find a more moisturizing lip balm. The strawberry scent is just an added bonus. It also comes in a tube but I’ve always been a fan of the tin pot it comes in. $7

Moroccan Oil I had never heard of Moroccan Oil until I worked at Sephora and suddenly I was hearing it at least twice a day. I decided to see for myself what all the fuss was about and this serum definitely lives up to its reputation. It strengthens and smooths your hair and smells great. $38

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish The winter season brings on some serious chapped lips. This sugar lip polish exfoliates and leaves your lips smooth and kissable. $22.50

Nexxus Heat Protectant Spray I blow dry and straighten my hair almost every day. This protects my hair from the daily damage I submit it to. $12

Fekkai Glossing Shine Mist This glossing mist is the best finish for any hairstyle. It leaves your hair looking gorgeous and shiny and has a little bit of hold. $21

Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes One wipe goes a long way. These wipes take off all your makeup and don’t leave your eyes irritated or dry. $5

DiorShow Iconic Mascara I have yet to find a mascara that I love but as of right now this is my favorite. It separates and curls my lashes making them look longer and fuller. $28