FashionPlate

Dot to Dot

2013-05-14T15:30:00.001-07:00

Gap Long & Lean jeans are some of my absolute favorite jeans ever. They are so comfortable and flattering. If you have never tried them, I suggest you head to the nearest Gap immediately!

Outfit

Jeans-Gap

Shirt-Target

Cardigan-J. Crew

Sunnies-Target

Wedges-Target

Recently....On Instagram

2013-04-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share some of my recent Instagram pix with you. Jeff and I had a fabulous weekend. Since the weather was perfect, we spent a lot of our time outside with the pups. We enjoyed walking around looking at the cherry blossoms and our time spent at The Wharf, eating all the fresh seafood we could stand.

Bloom

2013-04-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jeff, the pups and I headed downtown to enjoy the cherry blossoms. It was the first spring like Saturday we have had this year. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming and the tourists were everywhere! We had several people ask if they could take pictures with Shilo and Mimi. We had this happen last year at the Cherry Blossom Festival, so we were not surprised when it happened again this year.

Fake It

2013-03-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I saw these knockoff Isabel Marant Wedge Sneakers at Target a few months ago. They remind me of the boot Napoleon wore in his dance scene in Napoleon Dynamite!

It has been on the colder side around DC recently, I have been dreaming of warmer days, especially when I talk to my mom in Alabama and it's 70 degrees! (we had snow two days ago) I am so ready for summer. If we could just skip right over spring and go straight to summer I would be a happy girl. Oh well, I know those warm days will get here eventually.

Outfit

Sweater-Gap

Jeans-Old Navy

Sneakers-Target

I Forgot To Wear Green

2013-03-17T15:36:00.001-07:00

Happy St. Patty's Day on this very rainy, cold St. Patrick's Day! I forgot to wear green today, so my mother-in-law let me borrow the shamrock pin for the day. Jeff and I are longing for a sunny, warm Savannah St. Patrick's Day. Oh well, maybe next year when we will only be 4 hours away!

Outfit

Sweater-Madewell

Chambray-Old Navy

Jeans-Lucky Brand

Boots-Gianni Bini

Current Winter Skin Care Routine

2013-02-20T14:29:00.001-08:00

Products

Jergens Shea Butter Body Lotion

Soap & Glory Hand Food

Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream

Bioderma

Origins Checks & Balances Foaming Face Wash

Origins Modern Friction Microdermabrasion

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Embryolisse 24 Hour Moisturizer

Mary Kay Intense Moisturizing Cream

Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care

Bliss Sugar Scrub

Nivea Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm

I have incredible dry skin, so when winter rolls around and the temperatures drop, my skin takes a real beating. I have to add exfoliating products on a more consistent basis and loads of intense moisturizers to my skin care routine.

Face

Morning: Step by Step

Bioderma

Origins Checks & Balances Foaming Face Wash

Embryolisse 24 Hour Moisturizer

Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care

Nivea Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm

Nighttime: Step by Step

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Bioderma

Origins Checks & Balances Foaming Face Wash

Origins Modern Friction Microdermabrasion

Mary Kay Intense Moisturizing Cream

Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care

Bliss Sugar Scrub

Nivea Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm

Body

Jergens Shea Butter Body Lotion (Nighttime)

Soap & Glory Hand Food (When Needed)

Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream (Nighttime)

Recent Drugstore Haul+Review

2013-02-17T08:29:00.002-08:00

I have absolutely loved all of the amazing new products at the drugstore recently. All the makeup lines have released their new products for the season and they are AWESOME! I have been using most of these products for the last few weeks and I have included reviews of the products. I hope you find these product reviews helpful, the next time you are at the drugstore.

Products

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation-110 Ivory

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder-Fair

Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream-010 Light

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer

NYC Eye Shadows-Central Park Plums, Late Night Latte

L'Oreal Infallible Pressed Eye Shadows-Endless Pearl, Perpetual Purple

Nivea Lip Butter- Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara

Maybelline Colossal Mascara

Maybelline Color Whisper-Petal Rebel

Maybelline Vivids-860 Pink Pop

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation-This foundation is a really great medium coverage foundation. Even though it has great coverage, it doesn't sit on the skin making you look over done or cakey. It covers all those things a good foundation should, but makes you look like you are not wearing any foundation. I have loved it and have worn it every day for the last two weeks.

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder-Now this powder goes with the foundation, but I had a very hard time finding it in the drugstores. I look everywhere and finally found it at CVS. It is a very nice powder for the price. I have enjoyed wearing it over the Revlon Naked foundation; however it doesn't hold a candle to my Laura Mercier Translucent powder, which is my all-time favorite powder. It is definitely a good powder at a great price, but I like the foundation much better.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer- I absolutely love this primer! I have used the Trina Tarentino primer for several years, and recently ran out so I thought I would give this one a try. It is exactly the same! The only difference is the L'Oreal primer doesn't smell like boiled peanuts, like the Trina Tarentino primer does. The L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer is a pearlescent light infusing primer that leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth and ready for foundation. This primer is totally worth having and I suggest you get it immediately.

Lipsticks and Lip Butter- All I can say about these three products is they are amazing you need them in your life! If I had to pick one though, I would definitely get the Nivea Lip Butter.

CoverGirl Clump Crusher- I am actually surprised at how much I like this mascara. It is not the best drugstore mascara I have used, but it is a good one. It does a really nice job of separating and lengthening your lashes. I have been using it as a base and layering the Maybelline Colossal Mascara over it.

Maybelline Colossal Mascara-Skip it! It is nothing special. There are much better mascaras you can find at the drugstore. My two favorites for thick and full lashes are the CoverGirl Lash Blast and the L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition Mascara.

NYC Eye Shadows-These eye shadows are pretty good. They are nice colors with good color pay off and a good formulation, but I would definitely skip them and go for the other products first.

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow- These eye shadows are amazing and I want them in every color. I have used these and several other colors for a while now, and I am in love them.

I have not even opened the BB cream yet, since I have loved the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation, but I will let you know what I think after I have used it for a little while.

Top Picks

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer

Nivea Lip Butter

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow

My Week-ish On Instagram

2013-02-12T15:01:00.001-08:00

1. Shilo enjoying the snow

2. Out with the pups for a walk

3. A snowy morning

4. Michael Kors watch & Henri Bendel cuff

5. At the Michael Kors event in Georgetown

6. An OOTD

7. Jonny P. waiting for food

8. Goodie bag from the MK event

9. Jambalaya

10. New skirts from Target

11. Elizabeth and James score at T.J. Maxx

12. Lowe's with Jeff

13. Black & Tans

14. Shirlington

15. Georgetown

16. Homemade chili and cornbread....yes please!

You can find me @melaniemackinnon on Instagram and @MelanieHMack on Twitter

New Beauty Loves

2013-02-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

I have some new beauty loves to share with you. I recently discovered these products and have fallen in love with them. They are all amazing and worth every penny. The best thing about most of these products is they can be found in your local drugstore. I ordered the Bioderma online, since it's a french product and nearly impossible to find in the states. I picked up the Soap & Glory Hand Food at Sephora. It also comes in a small size that is perfect to keep in your handbag. I have used these products almost everyday and I love them!

What are your current loves?

Products

Bioderma

Soap & Glory Hand Food

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Amber Rush, Iced Latte, Midnight Blue, Bronzed Taupe

Wet N Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells

Revlon Colorstay Lipsticks in Front Row, Private Viewing

Covergirl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Watermelon Twist

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Maybelline Colossal Feline Mascara

Dreaming of Warmer Days

2013-02-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while since my last post, but my computer has been giving me fits lately! Since all is well now, I figured what would be better to start back with than an OOTD. These pictures were taken over the weekend while it was snowing. I was made fun of all day by the men in my family for wearing ballet flats with snow on the ground, but I wore them with pride anyway:)

P.S. You know I couldn't do an outfit of the day post without including Mimi.

Outfit

Pants-Lands' End

Chambray Shirt-Gap

Cardigan-American Eagle

Ballet Flats-Tory Burch

Watch-Michael Kors

Jewelry-Henri Bendel, etsy, thecurrentcustom.com

It Has Been A Good One

2012-12-31T12:50:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for a fabulous 2012! I appreciate your love and support more than you know. I am coming up on another anniversary for my blog and I have loved every minute of it. For me, this blog is has been nothing short of amazing. I love sharing products, outfit of the days, and everything in between with all of you. I am very excited for what 2013 will bring. I have no doubt it will be a blast!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2012-12-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas all! I hope everyone is having a restful day filled with family and friends. I thought I would share my Christmas Outfit of the Day with you.

P.S. Sorry for my absence in recent weeks, the last two months have been crazy preparing for Christmas with my class.

Outfit

Jeans-Jessica Simpson

Owl Sweater-Old Navy

Chambray Shirt-Gap

Boots-Target

Watch-Michael Kors

Black Friday

2012-11-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

I know some people think shopping on Black Friday is the craziest thing someone could do, but I absolutely love it! I am not one of those people waiting in line for the stores to open at midnight, but I am usually out and about by 8 am or so. I was super excited to find some amazing sales in stores like J. Crew and Old Navy. I scored big at Old Navy, like $2 vintage concert T's big! I found the shirts in the men's department, so I just picked up the smalls and they fit great.

Black Friday Finds

Nintendo, Jimmy Hendrix, The Rolling Stones T-Shirts- Old Navy

Pink & Navy, Green & Navy Sweaters-Gap

Gray & Multi-colored Sweater-Old Navy

Brown Sweater-Banana Republic

Faux Fur Snood-Banana Republic

Cheetah Print Beanie-Urban Outfitters(gifted)

Home Is Where The Heart Is

2012-11-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

So Jeff and I decided to take these photos in our sun room for a change of scenery. Even though we were inside, Mimi still made sure she was in at least one photo.

As many of you know, I love the layered looked during the cooler months. I found this sweater on sale at J. Crew and couldn't wait to get it in the rotation.

Photos by Jeff

Outfit

Jeans-Jessica Simpson

Sweater-J. Crew

Shirt-Old Navy

Boots-Target

Watch-Michael Kors

Current Drugstore Loves

2012-10-30T06:57:00.001-07:00

I have been loving the drugstore makeup aisles lately. So many of the cosmetic companies have released their new lines for fall, and they are amazing! Some of the new products I have been absolutely loving are the Revlon Colorstay Shadows and the Revlon Smoky Shadow Sticks. I also have a few loves that will forever be some of my favorites, like the Covergirl Wet Slicks Fruit Spritzers and the Revlon Lip Butters.
The next drugstore product I am on the hunt for is a great translucent loose powder. I know Revlon makes one that I have been meaning to try. My all time favorite translucent loose powder is the Laura Mercier powder, but I would love to find a cheaper alternative.

What are you current makeup loves from the drugstore?

Products

L'OREAL True Match LUMI Foundation in Soft Ivory-Classic Ivory
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Fair
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Fair
Maybelline Eyeshadow Quad in Time for Wine
Revlon EyeShadow Quad in Luscious
L'OREAL Voluminous Full Definition Mascara
Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde
Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch
Revlon Lip Butters in Creme Brulee & Strawberry Shortcake
Covergirl Wet Slicks Fruit Spritzer in Guava

Collective Haul

2012-10-28T08:17:00.001-07:00

Kirna Zabete for Target Dress

Blue Plaid Blazer from Target

Banana Republic Black Cardigan
J. Crew Animal Print Cardigan

J. Crew Heart Sweater

Banana Republic Sweater

Old Navy Luke Perry T-Shirt

Sperry Topsiders

Missoni for Target Black Boots

So I thought I would share some of my recent purchases with you. I have picked up some great pieces for fall and winter. I was super excited to score the Kirna Zabete dress from Target on sale! I love the fabric, style and most of all, the faux leather details on the dress. While I was at Target, I also found the blue plaid blazer, which I can't wait to wear.

I found the four sweaters on sale at Banana Republic and J. Crew, and I am totally in love with all of them.

As for the Sperries, it was time for a new pair. My dark drown topsiders had seen better days, so I decided to retire them.

Just like the dress and sweaters, I found the blacks ankle boots on sale at Target. I think they will be great paired with skirts and tights this fall and winter.

What are some of your recent finds for fall and winter?

Autumn Outside

2012-10-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

The weather this week has been so perfect. Fall is definitely here, with the cooler temps and all the beautiful fall colors. Now is the perfect time to be outside enjoying the season, because you know old man winter is not far off.

Outfit

Sweater-Gap

Chambray Shirt-Gap

Jeans-Vera Wang for Kohl's

Top Siders-Sperry

Sunnies-Urban Outfitters

Watch-Fossil

Current Beauty Favs

2012-10-17T14:20:00.001-07:00

I love reading bloggers current and/or monthly favorites posts. I enjoy reading about the beauty products people love, especially if they are products I have never tried. This usually means a quick trip to the drug store or Sephora for me.

Here are my current favorite beauty products. I have been using these products almost everyday and I am loving them. I think out of everything, my absolute favorite product is the L'OREAL Voluminous Full Definition Mascara.

Products
NYX Runway Collection 07

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Ruthless

MAC Venomous Villains Blush in Oh So Fair

Origins VitaZing

L'OREAL Voluminous Full Definition Mascara

Chanticillie Sample Size Mascara

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in #157

YSL Rouge Volupte #1

Estee Lauder Lipstick in Vanilla Truffle

Drugstore Haul

2012-10-14T13:15:00.001-07:00

On a recent trip to my local CVS, I picked up some awesome beauty products. Some of the products I have already used and love and a few things like the Covergirl Lash Blast will go in the rotation after I use up the L'OREAL Voluminous Full Definition mascara. On Friday I tried out the NYX palette and was pleased with the color payoff and consistence of the eyeshadows. I have heard a lot of great things about the Wet n Wild Petal Pusher palette, so I was super excited that I was able to find it.

If you have never tried the Revlon Lip Butters and the Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara, I highly recommend you check them out. I always have a tube of the mascara and I think the Berry Smoothie lip butter brings my current total to 6. If I had to choose one to recommend, I would suggest you check out Strawberry Shortcake, it is my favorite lip butter by far.

Products

Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara

Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde

Revlon Lip Buttter in Berry Smoothie

L'OREAL Voluminous Full Definition Mascara

Revlon Colorstay Smokie Shadows Stick in Flare and Torch

NYX Runway Collection Palette in 07

Wet n Wild Palette in Petal Pusher

Maybelline Dreamlumi in Ivory

It's That Time of Year

2012-10-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for Columbus Day and a long weekend. Since school started back, I feel like I have been going 100 miles an hour.

This weekend truly felt like fall. The temps really cooled down and the leaves are beginning to change. My favorite season use to be summer, but it is safe to say that my favorite season now is fall. I love the cooler temps, the fall colors and of course the fall fashion.

Outfit

Pants-Gap

Top-Target

Tank-Target

Military Jacket-Gap

Boots-Nine West

The September Issue: Birchbox

2012-09-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

It's time for "The September Issue" from Birchbox! The month of September is the beginning of fall and Fashion Week, so Birchbox is getting in on the act with their September Issue. Along with all the fab products in my September Birchbox, they have included a mini-magazine of inspiration and ideas for a stylish fall.

Products

Bvlgari-Mon Jasmin Noir

Color Club-Birchbox Custom Polish

Twistband-Birchbox Custom lace Hair Tie

Vasanti-Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

WEI to Go-Sleep Over Kit

Extras

The Brush Guard-Brush Guard Variety Kit

Birchbox Digital Download

Madewell-$25 off Gift Card

Purple Paradise

2012-09-08T06:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting this week. It was the first week back to school around here, and I was very busy.

Other than the photos from Bermuda, these are the first ones taken with my new Canon Rebel T3i. The quality of these photos is so much better. I am so in love with my new camera!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I will be spending mine on the couch!

Photos taken by Jeff

Outfit

Shorts- J. Crew

Tank-Target

Top-American Eagle

Flip Flops-Target

Watch-Michael Kors

Sunnies-Urban Outfitters

Postcard from Paradise

2012-09-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

Here is the last batch of Bermuda pictures. If you ever have the opportunity to go to Bermuda, you will not be disappointed. Everything about Bermuda is amazing. The people are warm and friendly, and no matter where you are on the island, you will always have a postcard view.

Welcome to Heaven

2012-08-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

Bermuda is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The island is amazing and the people are wonderful. Jeff and I had such a fabulous time in Bermuda and we can't wait to visit again. Here are some more pictures from our trip. I am thinking this is going to be a Bermuda blog series!

Bermuda Bound

2012-08-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

Long time no post everyone! Jeff, our families, and I took a trip to Bermuda last week. We cruised with Royal Caribbean out of Baltimore and had an amazing time. I thought I would share some pictures of the cruise and Bermuda with you!