Chasing Birdies

Simply Shelby: Launching my New Blog

2013-07-27T17:48:00.003-05:00

For two years, I have shared my life and interests here at Chasing Birdies, making many new friends and discovering things about myself along the way. Starting a blog has been one of the best decisions I've ever made, and now I can't image not doing it. With two years under my belt, I have definitely gained confidence as a member of the blogging community. I feel as though I have a better sense of who I am and who I want to become.

As you know, I graduated from high school this year and I will be starting my freshman year of college next month. I have definitely changed during these past two years, and my life is about to change drastically when I move away from home. I decided that I needed a fresh start - a new blog with a new focus and brand. I needed to take everything I had learned from the past two years and put it into a new blog where I could share this new chapter in my life. And thus, Simply Shelby was born.

Depending on how hectic my life becomes in college, I plan to post 1-2 times per week about topics such as my daily life, college tips, style, and beauty. I've spent the entire month of July putting this blog together, and I'm really quite proud of what I've created. I would love nothing more than if you stopped by to take a look at it and leave a comment! If you like what you see, you can follow me through GFC or Bloglovin. My facebook and twitter pages will be the same, so you don't have to like/follow new accounts. Also, if you have me in your contacts, my new email is simplyshelby@yahoo.com.

I will no longer be posting here at Chasing Birdies, so this feels like such a bittersweet goodbye. I love my new blog and the new focus I have, but this has also been a special place for me during the past two years. I know that I will most likely lose hundreds of followers by switching over like this, but numbers don't really matter to me anymore. But I do care about you guys. I care that so many of you take the time to read my posts and leave comments, and I truly hope you do the same now that I'm moving to a new location. I really do read every comment, and (assuming you're not a no-comment blogger) I reply to every one.

This is a time of new beginnings for me, both in real life and in the blogging community. I hope you decide to join me on this journey!

July Sponsors

2013-07-18T10:14:00.001-05:00

I'm sure you've noticed by now all of the lovely ads I have on my sidebar this month. These ladies are my July sponsors, and let me tell you, they are some of the sweetest bloggers you will ever meet. And I'm not just saying that. I already knew most of them before they decided to sponsor me this month, and I was so excited to have the opportunity to work with them again.

Be sure to click on their blog links (and follow them if you'd like!) or send them a little tweet to say hello. Because it's July, I also asked them a few questions about summer and traveling. So without further ado, I'd like to introduce to you my July sponsors!

Ashleigh // The Darling Prepster
blog - twitter - Facebook

Hey there! I'm Ashliegh, the pearl-obsessed poor college kid who runs The Darling Prepster! When I'm not blogging I can be found volunteering for Habitat For Humanity or competing in Miss Ohio America local preliminaries. I am a sister of Alpha Phi and live everyday by my personal motto, "High heels, high standards, pearls everyday."

What do you love most about summer? What's NOT to love about summer?! There's nothing better than rocking your sandals, shorts, and bikini whenever you want because it's warm out! Also, no school is also a major plus ;p

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to see the countries that boarder the Mediterranean Sea! Greece, Italy and Spain would be beautiful, especially on the coast!

Adriana // Horses of Ares

blog - twitter - Facebook

Hi there, lovelies! My name's Adriana and I'm a student, web designer and lifestyle blogger at Horses of Ares - I like to write about my daily adventures in Southern California, design, food and recipes, style and more. Come visit my blog sometime and let's be blog buddies. :)

What do you love most about summer? I love the random visits to the beach and frolicking in the water; eating ice cream with good friends; going on adventures because there's nothing else better to do; the free tans and long sunny days.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I'd go to Italy because I love their food, their ice cream, their art and their festivals. I would love to get a Carnival mask and ride a gondola in Venice. It would be so fun! :)

Amanda // Raspberry Beige

blog - twitter - bloglovin

Hi folks! I'm Amanda and I blog over at Raspberry Beige. I am wife to hubster {the most patient man on Earth}, mama to junior {and one on the way}, and a first grade teacher. I've been blogging a little over a year now and love it. It's my therapy/outlet/self-improvement/humor all rolled into one. I love to laugh. Humor is great, especially sarcasm. Seriously, it's my therapy. I laugh at myself quite frequently. As do other people. I have loved getting to know other bloggers out there and learning from them!

What do you love most about summer? I am a teacher so I love being able to sleep in, take naps, sleep some more, and play with junior in between.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I am slightly {embarrassingly} obsessed with Disney World. Even though I've been there close to 10 times, I would go there on every vacation if I could. I love the hotels, stuffing my face with food, and all the rides. Now that I have a kid, I want to go even more!

Gina // Gina Alyse
blog - twitter - pinterest

Hi! I'm Gina, a nineteen year-old college student studying communications and Spanish in North Carolina. I blog over at Gina Alyse, where I talk about college life, faith, design and anything creative! I think salt water, love and sunshine can cure anything. I strive to live by faith, love everyday and find beauty in the world.

What do you love most about summer? Oh, this is a tough question! Can I say everything? I love the feeling of summer, the heat, the vacations and the travel. I also love how it's break in the year to feel refreshed or to learn new things.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would travel to Greece, because it's one place that I have always wanted to visit. I would love to soak up the beauty and history of country!

Only the Good Die Young

2013-07-14T23:42:00.001-05:00

When I woke up this morning, I did the same thing I always do: I grabbed my iPhone and scrolled through twitter and facebook before finally forcing myself to roll out of bed. This morning, however, it was different. I had a Facebook message from my best friend, Lauren, saying that Cory Monteith had died the previous day. As a die hard Glee fan, she was completely devastated. After reading her message, I noticed my entire twitter feed was filled with "#RipCoryMonteith". So it's true, I thought to myself. Just like that, he was gone.

For those of you who don't know, Cory plays Finn on Glee and is 31 years old in real life. He was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver yesterday morning by an employee coming to see when he would be checking out. It hasn't officially been determined what the cause of death was, but it's been made public that Cory has struggled with drug abuse for most of his life and had admitted himself into rehab earlier this year. Right now, it has basically been assumed that the cause of death was a drug overdose.

I have watched Glee on and off from the beginning, and Finn has always been one of my favorite characters. I had absolutely no idea that he struggled with drug addiction in real life. Maybe it was just because he played such a sweet and innocent character on Glee, but he seemed to have his life together. He was dating his co-star, Lea Michele, and seemed so genuinely happy.

It makes me so sad to think that his life ended at only thirty-one years old. He was at the prime of his life, with a successful acting career and a beautiful girlfriend. I have never done drugs in my life, nor do I ever plan on it. I've never even had alcohol. But let's be honest... I'm eighteen years old. I know tons of people from my high school who drink and get high literally every day. I know that this could happen to anyone. I don't understand it, and I don't know that I ever will. Why do people do this to themselves? Why do people rely on substance abuse to feel better?

My prayers go out to Cory's family, friends, and girlfriend, Lea Michele. I can't even imagine what they're going through right now. You never imagine someone important to you dying at a young age. It's important that we don't take loved ones for granted, because you never know what the future holds.

Exciting News!

2013-07-09T23:12:00.004-05:00

Hello fellow bloggers! I have some exciting news for you.

For the past two years, I've shared my life and interests here at Chasing Birdies. And as I pointed out in my post about graduation, I've been through quite a lot in that time. However, graduation feels like the end of an era to me. I believe it's time for me to put this blog behind me and start a new one, just as I will be starting a new chapter in my life when I begin college next month.

So what exactly does that mean? Well, first of all, I will not be deleting this blog. I'm going to keep it here in my little corner of the internet so that I can look back on it as a reminder of everything I've been through. I will not, however, be posting here anymore after the launch of my new blog.

If you'd like to follow me as I begin my journey as a college freshman, you will have to follow my new blog (which will launch in August). I'm going to refrain from sharing too much about it right now, but I will say that I've spent a lot of time putting together a fresh, new layout and design that I hope you will love.

I will share one thing about my new blog today; I have decided it will be too difficult for me to manage sponsors and the promotion of other blogs while I'm in college (at least for right now). BUT never fear, I will be doing free swaps with other bloggers so that I can make new blog friends and we can share each others' ads on our sidebars. I hope you decide to swap with me... I would love to have you!

Stick around, folks. The announcement and launch of my new blog will be coming soon!

Adriana's Group Giveaway

2013-07-06T20:26:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone! I'm participating in a group giveaway this month over at one of my favorite blogs, Horses of Ares. Adriana is such a sweetie, and I was so excited when we swapped ads this month! Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Featured Ad Space on my sidebar as well as many other great prizes!

Have a good weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Independence Day

2013-07-05T19:06:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: If you're not American, then this post will not be relevant to you.
I hope all of you had a wonderful fourth of July! My family normally doesn't do much for this particular holiday, except for the occasional trip to the fireworks show in my town. This year, my friends and I had a cookout together complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, and patriotic desserts. Afterward, we went an open grassy area near the facility where they hold fireworks and played bags, with blankets spread out over the ground (and even more dessert!). After the fireworks were over, we sat around a fire pit in my friend's backyard, eating s'mores and talking until almost one in the morning. It was so much fun, and it makes me sad that we've never done anything like that until now.
My group of friends has become closer than ever this summer. Maybe it's because it's our last summer together before college, or maybe it's by some coincidence. Either way, it's going to be bittersweet leaving everyone once August rolls around.
What did you do to celebrate Independence Day? Comment below and let me know :)

The Single Life

2013-06-26T15:35:00.000-05:00

You know what really bothers me?

Every single time I work with my boss's wife, Steph, she asks me if I have a boyfriend. And I mean every single time. And of course, every time, I just casually say, "No, not right now," and continue working. And every time, she pauses for a long time and says, "Oh, that's okay. You're still young." Or today, it was "Well, you're going away to school so it's probably a good thing." You get the idea. She says it in such a condescending voice, and I know she's judging me. A lot.

Really? I'm 18. Why is it not socially acceptable for me to be single? Is it really so weird that I've never had a serious boyfriend or been in love?

A coworker of mine just got engaged, so she's always telling me about her wedding plans and showing me pictures of the dress she's planning to buy. Not a big deal. I should be happy for her, right? Don't get me wrong, I am, but did I mention she's the same age as me? I've gone to school with her my entire life, and suddenly she's getting married. I could not even think about getting married at this point in my life, and it baffles me whenever she talks about it.

A few weeks ago, my friend Elena thought it would be fun all of us (me and my four closest friends) to list the order in which we thought the five of us would get married, have kids, etc. I'm pretty sure I was in the middle or toward the bottom of everyone's list, and I put myself last on my own. I'm independent and fully aware of it.

What's the rush? I'm 18, and I have my entire life ahead of me. I'm excited about shopping for my dorm room and meeting new people in college. I'm day dreaming about studying abroad and internship possibilities. I'm legitimately excited for my classes and all of the new experiences I'm going to have. I knew girls in high school who would talk about how they wanted to get married within the next two years and immediately start having kids so they could be a stay-at-home mom. Don't get me wrong, if that's what you want to do then that's great! My mom was a stay-at-home mom with me and Katelyn my entire childhood. But she had me at 30. Why do you have to do it when you're 20? To me, my 20s are a time for me to figure out what I want in life and experience all the things I want to do before I settle down and get married, have kids, etc. My ambition is strong, my goals are high, and I want to do great things.

So Steph? Yeah, ask me one more time if I have a boyfriend. I dare you.

Beauty Review: Vera Wang Princess

2013-06-23T19:57:00.000-05:00

"Princess is all about a new attitude. It's about claiming something magical and mystical in your life. It's all of the characteristics that we would want to possess and what resides in all of us young or old." - Vera Wang

I've always had a love for perfume. Wearing the right scent gives me a boost of confidence, and who doesn't love to get compliments on how good they smell? My perfume collection is small, but I'm particular about the scents I wear. Just a few days ago, I noticed one of my older bottles (Fantasy by Brittany Spears) was almost gone. While I was out shopping with my mom that afternoon, I decided to splurge with some of my graduation money and pick out a new perfume for myself. I ended up choosing Vera Wang Princess. As soon as I smelled it, I absolutely fell in love!

The scent has top notes of waterlilly, lady apple, mandarin meringue, and golden apricot skin; mid notes of ripe pink guava, Tahitian flower, wild tuberose, and dark chocolate; and base notes of pink frosting accord, precious amber, forbidden woods, royal musk captive, and chiffon vanilla.

That's right, you did read that correctly. Chocolate is one of the mid notes. Maybe that's the reason I love it so much (just kidding). But seriously, Princess is the perfect fruity and floral scent for women who are looking for something that doesn't smell so... well, old lady-ish. I don't like musky scents; I'd rather wear something that smells fresh and feminine. And the bottle is gorgeous!

If you're a young woman looking for a new every day scent, I definitely recommend Princess by Vera Wang! You can buy it at Ulta here.

Just in case you were wondering what other perfumes I have in my collection, I wear Fantasy by Brittany Spears, Fancy Love by Jessica Simpson, and Viva la Juicy. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is at the top of my wish list!

What perfumes do you love to wear for different occasions? Comment below and let me know!

College Essentials

2013-06-17T13:46:00.004-05:00

It's been nearly a month now since I graduated high school, and I must say, I don't miss it at all. I'm having so much fun getting ready for college that I haven't had any time to dwell in the past. I know I'm probably a little ahead of the game, but I've already started shopping for dorm supplies with some of my graduation money! Seriously though, I need so much stuff. Moving away from home and living in a dorm room not only requires all of your typical supplies, but endless planning and storage solutions to make sure everything fits on my half of the room.

For all of you out there who will be a college freshmen like me, I created a Dorm Checklist so that we don't forget anything important! You can click below to download and print it for yourself.

In order to put this list together, I compiled a lot of different lists that I found online. However, I found that there were a few things that didn't appear on any lists that I had to add myself with the help of my older sister (a college junior). Here are the top essentials that I think every college girl should have!

1. Rain boots
This was listed on very few places online, but they are so important! Who wants to ruin their favorite pair of Sperry's or ballet flats in a huge puddle while walking to class? Even if you live in a place that isn't known for excessive rain, I still think they are a must-have for college campuses. And they're so cute! I bought this polka dot pair of Western Chief boots for only $20.

2. A carry-all wristlet
No one wants to carry a huge purse all the time, especially when all you really need is your ID, phone, keys, and a maybe little money. The perfect solution is a wristlet that holds everything you need. If you're just walking across campus with a friend, throw it on your wrist and you're good to go. Going to class? Just put it in your backpack!

I bought the Carded ID Wristlet from Lilly Pulitzer. It holds my iPhone, my ID, money, cards, and a lip gloss! I'm planning on adding a key ring to the outside to hold my dorm room key. Vera Bradley also has cute wristlets in different sizes as well.

3. A small, cross-body bag
Occasionally, there may be times when you do want a purse. For example, if you're going out with friends on a Friday night, you probably don't want to hold a wristlet the entire time, right? My solution is a small, cross-body bag just big enough to hold your ID, keys, money, phone, and a lip gloss (basically, all of the things you usually keep in your wristlet!). I bought my black studded bag at Kohl's for $15, but you can find them anywhere.

4. An adorable phone case
When you're in college, you're most likely going to have your phone on you at all times. There is always going to be the risk of you dropping it, sitting on it, or even getting cracked in your backpack if you're not careful. And okay, be honest. Who doesn't love an adorable phone case? It's a great way to show off your style and protect your phone from mishaps at the same time.

Tiny Prints has really cute personalized iPhone cases that you can design and order online. I ordered this black, white, and pink case for my new iPhone 4S and I love the design! It's super cute (probably more cute than protective to be honest) but it definitely shows my personal style.

5. A business suit (preferably black)
This is one of the first things they told us at my college orientation! I'm a business student, but I think it applies to everyone. You never know when you're going to need to dress professionally, whether it is for a career fair, practice job interview, or a speech. Have one simple, black business suit handy in your closet, along with a white blouse and close-toed black shoes to go with it.

For those of you out there who are already in college, PLEASE comment below with tips, advice, or other college essentials that you've discovered through your own experiences. I'd love to hear them!

Keep checking back as there may be a giveaway soon
including one of these items :)

The Tiny Prints iPhone case was sent to me for consideration and review. However, all statements and opinions are my own and have not be influenced by the company in any way.

Two Year Blogging Anniversary

2013-05-20T14:32:00.001-05:00

Exactly two years ago today, I wrote my very first blog post. I had no followers and absolutely no idea what I was doing. For those of you that have been around since the early stages of my blog, you know that Chasing Birdies has evolved a lot, including one name change and multiple design changes. When I started, I was a sophomore in high school, still figuring out what the heck I wanted to do with my life.

I've been through a lot over the past two years. I watched my sister graduate from high school (post), I started my first job (post), I dealt with the stress of failing friendships (post), I went on my first college visit (post), I wrote my 100th blog post (post), I went to my first prom with my first boyfriend (post), I struggled with keeping my blog a secret (post), I began my senior year of high school (post), I finished my final high school golf season (post), I went through my first break up (post), I voted for the first time in a presidential election (post), I was accepted to my first choice university which I will be attending in the fall (post), I went to my senior prom (post)...

And now, I can finally say I am a high school graduate. It has certainly been a wonderful two years.

Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

2013-05-16T22:24:00.001-05:00

For those of you out there who love The Office, I'm sure you just watched the series finale like me. I became a fan of this show a few years ago, when I discovered it on TV and rented the old seasons to catch up. I think the writers of this show are absolute geniuses, and I'm so sad to see it go after 8 years!

I couldn't believe it last week when we found out Angela's baby was actually Dwight's. I nearly cried when they got engaged, and I was so excited all week in anticipation of tonight's episode. All I can say is, it was perfect. Every character, every relationship, and every story line was concluded perfectly. I couldn't even handle it when Kelly and Ryan ran off together, and when Michael became Dwight's best man at the wedding? Best moment of the entire episode.

I hope I didn't spoil anything for those of you who missed it. Here are just a few of my favorite moments from The Office's eight year run.

Seniors '13

2013-05-15T11:08:00.001-05:00

senior prom with my best friends

My friend, John, and I

Baccalaureate service

Last day of high school

As you can see, the past few weeks of my life have been crazy. I've had senior prom, baccalaureate, and yesterday was my final day of high school. On Sunday, I will be walking across the stage in my cap and gown, finally receiving the diploma I've worked so hard for. It's crazy how fast these last four years flew by, but I am so excited to be starting a new chapter in my life. I hope that all of you stick around, because I will have so much to blog about as I spend my last summer at home and finally leave for the University of Illinois in the fall.

Yummy Chicken and a Giveaway

2013-04-30T19:35:00.003-05:00

Everyone, say hello to my lovely April sponsor, Laura! She's here today to share a yummy new recipe, as well as give away a custom blog design from her shop. I've also thrown in a large ad space here at Chasing Birdies! You can enter with the rafflecopter below. Take it away Laura!

~~~

Hi, my name is Laura and I blog over at Girl in Flight. When I'm not blogging, I am hanging out with my lovely husband Simon, or playing with my extremely cute bunnies! I also own a blog design shop, Sophie & Rory, which provides premade templates and custom blog designs for blogger.

In my spare time (when I actually have some!), I love to cook, so today I am going to share one of my favorite recipes with you: chicken, goat's cheese and tomato bake. If you follow me on twitter you will know I have this for dinner around once every two weeks I love it so much! So I thought I would be kind and share the love! You will need:

So, what do I do?
1) Preheat your oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 (370f)
2) Score the chicken and stuff with slices of goats cheese
3) Place a sprig of thyme on top
4) Place in shallow oven proof dish
5) Scatter tomatoes in dish and splash with olive oil and white wine (optional)
6) Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is golden brown

When I usually have this meal I pair it with Moroccan spiced cous-cous and spinach, but it works well with a number of sides, including saffron wild rice if you're feeling adventurous. Whatever you pair it with, I am sure you will find it absolutely delicious!

As a big thank you to Shelby for hosting me on her blog I am offering one lucky reader a custom blog design from Sophie&Rory worth $25! You can see previous custom designs I have done here.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April Giveaway

2013-04-25T18:01:00.003-05:00

Hello ladies! I've got a great giveaway to share with you today. Jessica from Girl Booklet is hosting her April Sponsor giveaway (one of those sponsors is me!) and we have some really great prizes for you including gift cards, ad spaces, and more. Enter with the rafflecopter below :)

I've been very MIA lately from the blogosphere, and I will probably still be gone for a little while after today. I will return to blogging once I get through graduation, which is in 3 weeks! Prom is this Saturday, so I'll be sure to share some pictures of that. :)

If you remember, I started dieting at the end of January. I think it's time for a little update on that too!
Beginning weight: 132.6 lbs
Current weight: 126.4 lbs
Total weight loss so far: 6.2 lbs

Have a great weekend everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Updates on the Blog

2013-04-07T15:04:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I updated my followers on any changes going on here at Chasing Birdies. As I'm sure all of you know by know, Google Reader is going to disappear soon. If you'd like to follow me on a different website, I have plenty of options!

I have my blog listed on Bloglovin, which is essentially the same as Google Reader. I hopped on the bandwagon and switched over when I heard that google was disappearing, so this is what I use to read blogs nowadays.

For the small number of you that follow me with Hellocotton, you probably know that it is also disappearing soon. Again, I suggest using Bloglovin!

I don't really have anyone that follows me through an RSS Feed, but I do have that option! If you look over on my left sidebar, you can just type your email address into the box and receive my new posts in your inbox. How easy is that? It's a perfect option for those of you who don't have your own blog or a Bloglovin account.

The easiest way to get updates from Chasing Birdies is to follow me on Facebook or Twitter. I always share my new posts and other updates on those accounts. If you're wondering what happened to my instagram, I had to delete it because people from my school started following me. I've only told a few close friends about my blog, so I didn't want that to continue happening. I deleted it and started my own personal account that is not affiliated with my blog.

OKAY now that we have all of those details covered (they're boring, I know), you may have noticed that I have a few new sponsors on my sidebar this month! Here is a big welcome to Laura from Girl in Flight, Ashley from Ashley Brooke, and Meg from The Polished Monkey.

I only have 41 days until my high school graduation, which means it is only 41 days until I have way more time to blog. I seriously can't wait till summer... I'm annoyed that I've only been able to post once or twice a week.

What updates would you like to see here on Chasing Birdies? What are your favorite types of posts to read? Comment and let me know while my creative juices are flowing!

Drugstore Makeup Haul

2013-04-03T23:03:00.001-05:00

Ever since I began wearing makeup around age 13, I've used essentially the same products. When a bottle ran out, I'd just run to Walmart and buy a new one without much of a second thought. Until now, that is. I realized my makeup collection just wasn't cutting it! My foundation wasn't the right color, my concealer wasn't really concealing anything, my powder made my face look cakey, my lip products were sticky and lasted about an hour, and my mascara wasn't really volumizing or lengthening. Basically, my makeup collection was a hot mess. So, what did I do? I watched hours of youtube videos and read up on my favorite beauty blogs to figure out which drugstore products were the best out there. After determining which products would work best for my skin tone and skin type, I made trips to Walmart, Ulta, and CVS today to pick everything up! Here is what I ended up with:

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation (for Combination/Oily Skin) in Buff
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Neutralizer
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent
NYX Powder Blush in Bourgeois Pig
Maybelline 24 hr Color Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Bad to the Bronze
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Palettes in Petal Pusher and Sweet As Candy
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Orchid
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Temptress

Real Techniques Blush Brush and Expert Face Brush

After throwing away all of my old makeup, I washed my face and started over, trying out all of my new products. I couldn't believe the difference it made! I felt more confident wearing my new makeup than I have in years.

After one use, I definitely have a few first impressions that I'd like to share with all of you. Feel free to comment and let me know if you use these products and feel the same way!

The Revlon foundation is a thick, full coverage foundation that is supposed to last all day. I bought the formula for combination/oily skin, so it is meant to keep the skin matte for hours. When I applied it, it seemed to cover my acne scars and redness very well. For the rest of the night, my face stayed fairly matte and the foundation didn't rub off. Because of the thickness of it, I was worried about it being too cakey. However, my face actually looked very healthy and dewey after application! I'm very pleased with this foundation so far.

I used the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to apply it, but I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I seemed like I could blend it easier with just my fingers or a small sponge. I'll definitely try it again, but this was the one product that I wasn't overly impressed with after purchase!

The Maybelline concealer comes in a tube with a sponge applicator at the top. When you twist the tube, the concealer soaks into the sponge and you can dab it underneath your eyes. After application, my dark circles were concealed and my eyes looked very bright and awake! At the end of the night, the concealer hadn't caked up or settled into any creases. As long as the applicator doesn't break, I think this product will be one of my new favorites!

As for the Rimmel Stay Matte powder, I definitely can't complain. I bought the transparent powder because my foundation is full coverage, so it is simply meant to set my foundation and keep my skin matte. I noticed a definite different after applying it with a fluffy powder brush.

I learned about the NYX blush in Bourgeois Pig from A Brunette Duet, and I LOVE it!! The only blush I had before was a light, peachy pink, but this blush is bright pink. I'd never used NYX products until today, and I'm impressed with the pigmentation. I used the Real Techniques Blush Brush to apply it, which is actually a really huge brush. I was a little worried about the size, but I loved it! It applied the blush very well, and the bristles are super soft.

I used the Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadow as a base all over my entire lid, and then I applied a dark purple shadow and highlight from the Wet n Wild palettes. I ended up with a purple and brown smokey eye, and I love the way it looked! The color tattoo shadow is supposed to last all day without creasing or rubbing off, and so far, it seems to really work.

The L'Oreal mascara has a much better brush than the CoverGirl mascara I was previously using, so I already like it much more. Its a definite favorite among beauty gurus, so I'm excited to see how I like it after using it a few more times!

As for the Revlon lip products, both of them applied very smoothly and evenly. Neither of them were sticky, and both lasted for hours without rubbing off. I'm pretty much in love, and I know that I'll be using them as my every day lip colors.

What are your favorite drugstore makeup products? Comment and let me know!

Happy Easter!

2013-03-31T14:35:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter! Here in Illinois, the snow has finally melted and it's beginning to warm up (and by warm up, I mean it has reached 50 degrees). I'm leaving in less than two hours for the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri with a few of my best friends for a major shopping trip! I'm also going to an Admitted Students Open House Day at the college I'm going to in the fall, so I'm really excited to be visiting campus again.

It is t-minus 49 days until graduation.
That means only 26 school days!! I'm more than ready to finish high school and begin college.

If you haven't figured out by now, this week is my Spring Break. Most of my friends are laying on a beach in Florida, Alabama, or California, but I will be having my own fun shopping and doing a college visit. Who needs to be tan anyway?:)

I have another question for all of you makeup bloggers out there. I love watching makeup gurus on YouTube and reading beauty blogs, and I've totally been using the same products for as long as I can remember. I think its about time to try some of the products I always here about online! Have any of you ever used the Revlon ColorStay Foundation? It seems popular but there are also mixed reviews. Do you have any other suggestions for drugstore products? Comment and let me know!

Travel and Be Happy

2013-03-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

"We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong."

With so many beautiful places in this world, I cannot imagine going my entire life without seeing them. There are 7,000,000 billion people in this world from nearly 200 countries, so how can I go my entire life around the same people from the same culture as me in the same area of the same country? The thought of living my life that way is heart-breaking. As a child, my family usually took one trip each summer. However, I've only left the Midwest a few times. Yes, I've been to Disney world and the beach in Florida. I've been to Washington D.C. and I've seen the mountains in Tennessee and Colorado. But other than that, I have never experienced traveling somewhere new and different.

I cannot wait to travel the world someday. Before I die, I know that I will see the canal streets of Venice and Big Ben in London. I will experience standing in Times Square and shopping in Paris. Someday I will see these places, but for now, I can simply daydream.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2013-03-17T16:17:00.000-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm about one-fourth Irish, so of course I wore my green sweater today. For those of you in Chicago, I hope you went to the parade and saw the river after they dyed it green. And for the rest of you, try not to party too hard. Hope everyone had a good weekend:)

Weekend in Chicago

2013-03-15T18:43:00.001-05:00

Last weekend, my family and I road-tripped up to Chicago for a few days of shopping. I had a four day weekend off from school and my sister was home for spring break, so we decided to do something special for my dad's 50th birthday! Not only did I buy a LOT of new clothes and jewelry, but I also had the chance to visit one of my very best friends. Kristine lived next door to me from the time we were five until about sixth grade. That year, she moved to Waterloo, Iowa. We remained friends despite living four hours apart, and now she's a freshman in college living in downtown Chicago! It was so fun being able to see her, even if it was just for lunch.

Speaking of lunch... I experienced Portillo's for the first time. Around here, everyone always talks about how amazing Portillo's is, but they're only in the Chicago area! I had an Italian beef sandwich and Kristine had a chili dog, which they're famous for. I totally recommend it if you ever cross by one while traveling!

As I said before, I bought a lot of new things while shopping. Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile are a really awesome experience, even if most of the stores are crazy expensive. We spent most of our time at the Water Tower Place, which is more of a regular mall. I spent over $100 in Forever 21 alone. I might do a haul post because I've been shopping so much lately. Stick around to see my new pieces!

P.S. Now that Google Reader is disappearing, you can follow me on bloglovin here! Have a good weekend!

Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesdays

2013-03-13T22:03:00.000-05:00

Cute rooms are one of my favorite things to pin on pinterest. All I can say is... I seriously cannot wait to decorate my own home some day. And blog about it of course. :)

Happy Wednesday!

The Bachelor Finale

2013-03-11T22:20:00.000-05:00

I know there are so so so many ladies out there who love The Bachelor. This is one of the first seasons that I've really followed, and I was not disappointed! As cheesy as the show is, it is really entertaining to watch (especially when the bachelor is a guy like Sean!).

As one of my friends tweeted during the finale, "The Bachelor is so bad, it's good." I think that pretty much says it all.

Unfortunately, the winner of the Bachelor was leaked online and I heard people at school discussing it, so I've known for weeks that it was Catherine. Regardless, it was fun to watch as Sean narrowed down the group from 25 to 1.

I think Catherine is extremely sweet, and I've always liked her. She's a goofball! I have to say though, I liked Lindsay. It seemed to me like they had more in common, and their date in her hometown went much better than Catherine's. I did not watch the first episode when Lindsay came in wearing a wedding dress, though I've heard much about it. I think she definitely recovered from her bad rep after that night.

Lindsay handled the rejection and the "After the Final Rose" interview very well. I was impressed that she held it together, never shedding a tear, and she kept it so classy. I secretly hoped she would be the next Bachelorette... and then they announced it would be Desiree.

Now, Desiree is sweet and all, but seriously? Why are they making more guys go through the pain of fighting with her crazy brother.

What were your thoughts on the Finale? Do you believe that people can really find true love on the show? I'm still skeptical. I don't think it's okay to be dating so many people at once, or to say you're "in love" with five different girls. I think it inevitably ends in hurt for everyone, especially since most of the couples never actually get married. Call me old-fashioned, but I think the whole process is bogus. I will admit, it makes for good reality television.

Let us take a moment to recall the "tierrable" Tierra. There will always be women like her who want publicity.

Never let anyone dull your sparkle, sweetie.

Small Business Giveaway

2013-03-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

It's time to celebrate all of the special ladies in the blogosphere who run their own online businesses. I've got seven great prizes lined up for you, including four homemade items and three $10 shop credit prizes. Just use the rafflecopter below to enter. :) Good luck! One winner will be chosen on March 17.

"I Love You" Card from Creatinkart

Headband from Chaotic Creations

Personalized Stationary from Yellow Umbrella Design

Any pair of earrings from Lollipop Swirls

$10 Shop Credit from

Arizona Sunshine Girls

Melissa Rose Graphic Design

Little Glass Slippers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Busy Busy Busy

2013-03-05T19:27:00.000-06:00

“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves.”- Jack Kornfield

I'm baaaack. I don't know if you missed me or not, but I'm so glad to finally be writing another blog post!

Last weekend, I went to a district Key Club convention for Illinois/Eastern Iowa that was held in Chicago. We listened to a keynote speaker, attended workshops, and elected next year's district board. We were dressed up in professional clothes all weekend, attending catered banquets and meetings. I loved it! I truly think Key Club is an amazing organization, and I love doing service, so it was amazing to see hundreds of high school students coming together to help others. It was so inspiring!

Next weekend, I'll be road-tripping up to Chicago with my family for a few days of shopping. I'll also be visiting my best friend from my childhood who is now going to college in the city! It's my dad's 50th birthday this Wednesday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD. I love you!

Now, you may be wondering why I included that quote at the beginning of the post. I feel like it really describes what I'm going through right now.

Lately, I've become completely disconnected from my friends. Yes, these are the friends I've had since kindergarten. They all have boyfriends except me, which has been happening for two years now, but lately they have barely been talking to me. They don't ask me to hang out anymore. I don't really know what to do.

I also feel disconnected from myself. Maybe it's just because I've been stressed and I lost touch with my friends, but I'm never really happy anymore. My dad even noticed! One morning, he approached me with a concerned look and said, "Shelby... are you okay? You know you can talk to me about anything. You seem really distant lately." Have any of you ever really felt that way? I'm just in a bad mood most of the time, and my self confidence is pretty much shot. Any advice?

February Group Feature

2013-02-21T21:33:00.007-06:00

Say hello to the lovely ladies that are gracing my sidebar during the month of February. I decided to ask them all about their other half, as well as their plans for Valentine's Day! I encourage you to stop by their blog and leave a comment saying hello. It's never too late to make more bloggy friends. :)

blog // facebook // twitter // pinterest

I'm a middle school teacher and a busy mom of two. My blog is all about saving time, money, and some sanity!

Tell us about that special someone in your life.
My special someone is my husband. We've been married almost 15 years after being best friends for the 2 years that we dated. I'm grateful for him because he's so patient, kind, and a great dad.

How did you celebrate Valentine's Day?
We usually make a meal at home, enjoy it with the kids, then watch our latest TV series when the little ones are in bed.

blog // facebook // twitter // instagram

I am Helene, the girl behind the blog: Helene in Between. I am a twenty-something, newlywed, dog lover, hip-hoping dancing Texas girl with a heart as big as the lone star state. My blog follows me as I keep it real about livin' and lovin' and everything in between. I rely on sarcasm, traveling, love and marriage and my current generation to blog about.

Tell us about that special someone in your life.
I am married , for almost 2 years to my best friend (hold on, I know everyone says that). But he is. That's because we are the perfect opposites (I'm loud, he's quiet. I like clothes, he's frugal) But we have a lot of the same similarities: we love to travel, blue bell ice cream and dogs (especially our doberman, Hugo.)

How did you celebrate Valentine's Day?
This year we are spending it with a big group of our friends - drinking and having fun at a bar. Just the way I like it!

blog // facebook // twitter // instagram

I'm a 24 year old registered nurse from Minnesota. I love country music, the color pink, and sparkles. I dream of living in Nashville someday. But until then my adventures up in the cold tundra of Minnesota will have to tide me over! Come join me!

Tell us about that special someone in your life.
I love being single because I don't have to hold myself accountable to somebody else. I can make last minute plans and not have to explain

How did you celebrate Valentine's Day?
Pink & red, chocolate, & The Lucky One :)

blog // facebook // twitter // instagram

Hey, I'm Kenzie! I'm a part-time-stay-at-home mom, fitness trainer, and house cleaner. I love to cook, do crafts, and go on random adventures. I blog about my everyday life, and I love linking up and doing fun memes! Let's get to know each other :)

Tell us about that special someone in your life.
John and I got together April 16th, 2009. He is my best friend, soul mate, and rock. Together we have three boys - ages 2, 5, and 9! I fall more and more in love with him every day, we are always having so much fun together even doing the most mundane things.