May Favorites 2014

Beauty | Although I haven't used it for very long, I've fallen in love with this nail color! I borrowed it from my friend and fellow blogger, Amber, a couple weeks ago and I've been wearing it ever since. I typically gravitate towards more matte shades, but this iridescent color is perfect for summer. I wasn't able to find it online, but I know this brand is sold at many beauty supply stores and Five Below.

Body | This is actually an every month favorite but it's definitely worth mentioning. There are so many amazing uses for coconut oil that it's honestly just silly trying to live without it! It's great for your hair, skin, and body. Personally, it's greatly improved moisture retention in my hair and visibly reduced scars. I love it. One tip though, don't use it for an all over body moisturizer during the summer. After all, oil does heat up easily and I wouldn't want you to burn while soaking up some summer rays!

Fashion | My friend Rachel and I bought these sandals together in two different colors as a parting gift of sorts. I'll be staying in Philadelphia for the majority of the summer, while she'll be working in DC. We thought it might be a good item to share between friends since our last endeavor didn't go so well. (We bought matching rings last summer and now neither of us has any idea where we placed them). But, there's no way I can lose these beauties. I've been itching for a nice pair of minimal sandals and now, I finally have a pair in my closet.

Accessories | Again, I have to credit Rachel for this one. She came to visit me for my 21st birthday in March and while we were shopping at H&M, she bought me this adorable two-strand bracelet that I kept eyeing. I've worn it just about everyday since. I couldn't find the exact bracelet online, but I've linked a similar one below.

Techie | Yes, it was announced two seconds ago. No, it's not available yet. The reason this is a favorite is simply because this operating system actually changed more than just the camera and a few fonts. Should this operate smoothly, it promises to be one of the best things that's ever happened to Apple customers...or at the very least, me.

Song | Fancy is so annoyingly catchy and the music video inspired by one of my favorite movies just put it over the top for me. I've been a fan of Iggy for a while now, so I'm glad she's finally getting more mainstream attention. She's seemed to keep her message consistent and her branding is on point. If she stays climbing at this pace, I have no doubt she'll be the artist of the summer...maybe even 2014.

Munchies | I want to apologize in advance for this month's favorite food since only my fellow Philadelphians can find this. This chicken caesar salad is seriously the best thing in the world and I'm lucky enough that it's right down the street from me. Again, sorry guys!

1. Funky Fingers Nail Polish in Mrs. Mint 2. Cococare Coconut Oil 3. Forever 21 Classic Ankle Strap Sandals in black 4. H&M Bracelet in gold 5. Apple iOS 8 6. Fancy by Iggy Azalea 7. Philly Style Pizza Chicken Caesar Salad 

Tips & Tricks Tuesday | DIY Fashion Lifesavers

I ran into this article on Mashable a couple weeks ago listing different fashion tricks that men can use but honestly, all I read was a billion things that women can do as well. Here a few amazing DIY tips that you can use to make your fashion life a whole lot easier!

• In a rush and your shirt is super wrinkled? Toss it in the dryer with an ice cube! It will create steam to lessen the creases.
• Clean your leather shoes with olive oil for a natural sheen instead of a high gloss shine.
• If you can get over the sanitation factor, put your smelly shoes in the freezer overnight to eliminate the odor. I suggest several layers of plastic bags for this one!
• Sharpen your razor with an old pair of jeans. Dull razors are the number one cause of nicks and razor bumps so a sharp razor is key. I've actually done this trick myself and it works like a charm!
• You can also use razors to remove fuzz off of old sweaters. This doesn't work on all fabrics so if you're not sure how your sweater will respond, test a small, hidden section first to avoid ruining one of your favorite cardigans.

Typically I pull my tips and tricks from my own personal experiences, but when I read this article I knew it was too good not to pass along. Hope these help!

If you have fashion life-hacks of your own, share below!

Preakness at the Piazza | The Fashion Event of the Season

There's nothing I'm looking forward to more than warmer weather and the chance to strut around in floral sundresses. Luckily that opportunity is coming a little earlier this year. In just three short days, Preakness at the Piazza will be returning for its second year for an evening of friends, fun, and, of course, fashion.

cred.

Not sure what Preakness at the Piazza is? It's an amazing charity event where guests get to dress in their very best derby attire and socialize while watching the 139th Preakness Stakes horse race on the big screen at the Piazza at Schmidt's. In addition to the viewing party, this year there will also be a fashion competition that all guests can participate in! Categories include Best Dressed Male, Best Dressed Female, Best Dressed Couple, Best Shoes, and Best Hat. That's right, I said hat. A huge part of the fun is the huge derby-style hats that the women get to wear and the awesome bow ties that the men rock. The fashion at this event is nothing short of creative, so you definitely have to bring your A-game!

All proceeds of Preakness at the Piazza will go towards the National Multiple Sclerosis Society which provides resources to victims of the disease and funds research to "stop MS in its tracks." Last year, almost $100,000 was raised and I'm beyond excited to help increase that number this year. If you'll be in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 17th and are interested in attending, tickets are going fast so buy them here today!

For more information and event updates, make sure to visit the event website and follow Preakness at the Piazza on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

See you on Saturday in your derby best!

April Favorites 2014

Beauty | I'm not sure if I've said this one already, but I've really been loving the orange shade of the Revlon lip butters called Tutti Frutti. It feels like a lip balm but it has a color payoff close to a lipstick. It's the best of both worlds. Plus, orange is a shade that I've found looks really great with my skintone, which is lucky for me since it's predicted to be a huge trend this season.

Body | What? New category? Yes, I've decided to add a body category because I feel that it can stand alone outside of the "beauty" umbrella. That being said, my body favorite this month is Softsoap's body wash in Juicy Pomegranate and Mango Infusions. This isn't a new product for me, I've just really been enjoying the fragrance. The fruity scent just reminds me that summer is slowly, but surely, on its way.

Fashion | Crop tops! Specifically my floral print top from H&M. I get a billion compliments everytime I wear it. I've loved pairing it with either a flowing maxi skirt or high-waisted harem pants. This top is an easy way to dress up what would have been a pretty ordinary outfit.

Accessories | If I don't have to tote a ton of stuff around with me, I'm grabbing my essentials and stuffing it into this cute crossbody. It's pretty small, but that forces me to only bring what I need. No more, no less. Otherwise, I end up complaining about how heavy my bag is all day.

Techie | Snapchat! So I'm not new to Snapchat at all but I'm just super excited to play with all the new features! If you haven't heard or gotten the update just yet, Snapchat has now added a video chat feature similar to FaceTime as well as a text chat feature. Sure, there are other things on your phone that complete the same tasks, but it's definitely cool to have them all in one place now.

Song | Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin) by YG featuring Kendrick Lamar. So I really have no explanation for my obsession with YG's album this month. I can't personally relate to a single thing he's been through, but for some reason I feel like I was riding next to him during all of it. I have the entire album on repeat constantly and I regret not going to see him a couple weeks ago when he performed at the Theater of the Living Arts (TLA). Seriously, why didn't I go?

Munchies | Popcornnnnnnnn. To be fair, popcorn is a favorite every month but for some reason my addiction has been insane in April. It's even gotten so bad that I've regularly attended "Free Popcorn Fridays" at my school's student center. It sounds even more sad saying it out loud. I don't care.

1. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti 2. Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash in Juicy Pomegranate and Mango Infusions 3. H&M Cropped Top 4. H&M Shoulder Bag 5. Snapchat 6. Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin) by YG 7. Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn