Hi hey, hello! It's time for another round of WDAC monthly favorites.........
I've been trying to find a good coverage foundation that doesn't dry out my skin. (AKA, not matte) So I've been testing out Loreal's infallible pro glow (in 201) & I have to say, it's quickly become a favorite. It's a light formula but has build-able coverage & has SPF 15- always a must. 
I'm all about finding & testing out different highlighters/ illuminators, so this handy little strobing stick was right up my alley. The light iridescent shade gives a pinkish tone to the highlight, making it POP a little extra. Love!
This Rimmel Kate lipstick is an oldie but a goodie. Y'all know 107 is my forever fave, go-to dark lip. ALWAYS. But I also find myself reaching for the range in the color 30, a wine/ plum tone that's kinda timeless. 

Like dark lips, I'm all about darker nails right now, a favorite this month being Essie's shade Kimono- Over. It's a very dark purple, so much so that it's almost black. The only thing I'm not excited about is it's not extremely chip-resistant , but it's always a gamble with this line. Still love.
And would it even be a favorites post without a candle? I'm not sure what a flannel blanket smells like, but if it's anything like this candle it's happiness in a jar. (or... blanket,rather) This is currently sold out online, but I'm sure the stores are still stocked with them!
Anyway, tell me what your favorite things this month have been! Oh, & HAPPY HALLOWEEN.
xo,

ONE GRAPHIC TEE, THREE WAYS

Who doesn't love a good graphic tee? Fashion is all about making a statement & there's something about having that statement right there on your t-shirt. 
AND there's all kinds of ways to wear graphic tees. LIKE:
OFFICE FRIENDLY Depending on what job you have, graphic tees are acceptable when dressed up a bit. One of my favorite ways is a leather skirt & booties. Tights optional for even more of an office look.

 
COLORED White pants are such a staple, but this look will work with any color. To bad-ass things up a bit, throw on a (faux of course) leather jacket & some flats & get on with it.   

WEEKENDER Quite possibly my favorite way to wear a slouchy graphic tee is the most simple: leggings all around, with those same flats for a splash of color, of course. I've always thought leggings & statement tees fit together so simply & perfectly. 
What's your take?

OKAY, your turn. Spill your favorite ways to style a graphic tee!
xo,

THREE SIGNS YOU'VE GOT BLOGGER ENVY (& HOW TO STOP IT)

A blogger I follow was given the opportunity to attend the Taylor Swift concert in Austin this weekend through a sponsorship. My initial reaction was somewhere in the middle of 'OMG THAT'S AMAZING HOW WONDERFUL FOR YOU' & 'WOOOOW I HATE EVERYTHING.' & then I had to check myself because blogger envy, even momentary, is just not cute. 
If I've learned anything in my two & a half-ish years here, it's that comparing yourself to other bloggers will only make you miserable & it will come out in your writing.
SO, these are the three signs you should look for, & what to do to stop them:
1// You're full on obsessed with everything a blogger does. Having blogs you admire is a great thing. We need those to stay inspired & help push us to be our best selves. But it's when the admiration becomes borderline stalker that's dangerous. Becoming so absorbed in what other bloggers are doing hinders your own growth, & copying their moves is too tempting.
Instead, focus on your unique strengths. What makes your blog different? Work off of that and readers (& brands) will take notice. 
2// You're too focused on the numbers. If you read any article on what makes a blog "successful," it touches on how important the numbers are, & it's caused me to fall into the numbers trap one too many times. I don't think it always matters how many social media followers or monthly visitors you have. What matters is the content. 
So, work on growing your social media if you want to. That's a great goal to have, but remember that content is still king. If necessary, give yourself a bit of a social media break for a hot minute. 
3// You spend more time comparing your blog to others than actually blogging. This kind of ties back into #1. It's no secret that no good comes of comparison no matter how easy it is to do the comparing. You know that really cheesy quote that goes something like 'you can't compare your beginning to someone else's middle'? It's actually kind of true. Even if you aren't a "beginner" blogger, you can't really compare where you're at to where everyone else is at. No one's pace is exactly the same. 
Instead of comparing, take inspiration from the blogs you love (but don't pull a #1...) & realize that you won't be exactly the same as they are. It's okay. If everyone was a carbon copy, life would be vastly boring anyway. 
Have you ever had blogger envy? How did you stop it?
xo, 

THE WEEKEND READING EDIT || 10.21.16

{via}

Oh hey, hi! Happy Friday. Today I'm comin at ya with some link love, but with a new name. Weekend reading edit just seems more... sophisticated, no? 

//

+ It looks like Khloe K's new line of jeans really ARE body inclusive & that's really cool.... if only they didn't break the bank.

+ Speaking of breaking the bank, I love this guide from Helene on saving money to travel the world. Right up my alley!  

+ I need Julia's entire outfit in my life like, yesterday. 

+ Now that the final presidential debate is over I feel it necessary to bring back this recent post. Some may call it shameless self-promoting, I'm calling it please don't let Orange Man run our country.   

+ I'm kind of OBSESSED with this sweater my girl Taylor wore out recently. After some researching it looks like it may be Elizabeth & James. Here's another higher end version, & then finally a cheaper variation. Hurrah! 

+ For when you need to chill out a bit.

Happy reading!

xo, 

FALL IT BAG

I've been in the market for a new fall "it" bag since the start of the season & I've finally found one. (not sponsored, just love)
I needed something versatile & a classic color & burgundy/ wine colored things are a FAVE for fall. 
It's safe to say this is officially the fall IT BAG. 

details// bodysuit + overalls | asos shoes | target (similar found here) bag | dana buchman

xo,

HOW TO BE HAPPY

{outfit deets found here}

Exactly one year ago I was standing in the middle of a crowd of 60,000 strangers listening to the girl that connected all of us. 
At some points it was less of a concert & more like a therapy session with your best friend, & during one of those therapy moments she mentioned the importance of diagnosing happiness. I can't remember the exact quote, but the jist of it was that happiness is fleeting, & so it's important to recognize when it happens and let it happen. 
In this moment, I am happy.
My mind clicked, & in that moment, I was in fact, indescribably, purely, happy. Since then, I've been trying to remember to do that, to recognize the moments of happiness. Because it is fleeting sometimes. Life isn't always good, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't get to enjoy it while it is. Why SHOULDN'T you let yourself be happy? Let yourself take on the mind of a child & laugh until you can't breathe. Stand out in the sun & feel the sharp blades of grass against your bare feet. Live. 
I don't think there's an exact formula for true happiness. It's different for everyone, but the basics are universal. Things aren't always going to be good. You may have a bad day, or a bad month, even a whole dang year. But that doesn't mean you can't find the good & the happy or that you don't deserve it. You do. & if you look hard enough, most times it's there, waiting for you.   Sometimes it's in the form of a person, a puppy, or even in a giant, beautiful slice of pizza. There's magic in everything. 

xo,

WHO I'M VOTING FOR

{stock photo that has nothing to do with the post. typical.}

Before this election I wasn't really fond of talking politics online. Separate social issues that I'm passionate about, yes, but politics as a whole gives me anxiety & I try to stay away from it as much as possible. 
BUT I think we should chat about something:
Please consider your choices wisely. Please look at everything in front of you. Do you really want to vote for a man who has repeatedly talked about sexually harassing women? A man who wants to stop america from being what it is; a cultural melting pot? Who has said veterans who suffer from ptsd just weren't "strong" enough to handle it? A man who has on every occasion possible made his bigotry & hypocrisy clear. 
Is the other choice sunshine & rainbows? No. I never really considered her a first choice as our first woman president. But let's look realistically: who actually has years of policial experience under their belt? While that's not the only thing to take into consideration, it should definitely be one of the most relevant. So let's go from there.
I'm not telling you who to vote for. (Just who not to, ya know) I am, however urging you to be smart. Next month our lives will change for the next four years. Exactly how it changes is entirely up to us. Let's not make a tragic mistake, yeah? 

xo,

CONSIDERING A CHANGE

I've decided I get bored of my hair like the Kardashians get bored of drama-free days. While I absolutely love having longer hair & all the things I can do with it, every time I see a cute short cut I get hair envy, REAL BAD. There's some kind of freedom in having short hair that I never understood until I had it. 
And then there's the color. I've had my natural color back for a year-ish now (maybe longer, I can't keep up & time is an illusion) but I'm itching to go darker for autumn/ winter. I still have a box of dye in my linen closet but haven't committed yet.
Here's what I'm digging:

HELP? 
Images via, via, via, via, via, via

xo,

KNOW YOURSELF.

It's currently 1 AM & Fleet Foxes are playing as the words of this video run through my mind. Lately I guess you could say I've had a crisis of sorts. Nothing major, just questioning the future & my inspirations & passions. 
You know, the usual. 
Sometimes I forget what it's like to know myself. I think sometimes another thing I forget is WHY I blog. Sure, I want to curate pretty outfit photos and make self deprecating jokes, but mostly I just want to WRITE. When I look at the future, that's what I see. I've always fallen hard for pretty words and the thought of making even one person fall for them makes my heart burst a little. Fashion makes my heart race as well, so why can't I have them both?
I've been scared lately. Scared of taking risks & failing.... but isn't that what life is? It's the risk of it all. Remember what knowing yourself looks like & trust the things you know. 
So when inspiration's wearing thin & doubt creeps in, I've decided to look at this space. Look at the words in my mind still itching to become real. & so right now, at 1 AM, I know this is exactly where I should be in this moment.

xo,

MUSIC FOR YOUR WEEKEND.

One of the things I enjoy the most is finding new (even if it's just new to me) songs & artists to listen to.

SO I've added some of what I've been loving lately to my ongoing playlist.... enjoy. (newest finds at the bottom)

WHAT'S ON YOUR LIST?

xo,

PEPLUM & WHITE

Let's talk about how much of a classic denim & white are together for a sec, yeah? 
The contrast of light & dark brings a bit of chicness. & that no white after labor day thing is so ten years ago, so I feel like this an appropriate autumnal look, no? And the sleeves on this peplum blouse. YES.

peplum top | fran's white jeans | mossimo flats | target (similar here) choker | f21 (similiar here) necklace + bracelet | fran's

xo,

THE PERFECT BUBBLE BATH

Up until a month or so ago, I hadn't had a bubble bath in the entirety on my teenage or adult life. I KNOW. But I found a bubble bath that doesn't hurt my eczema prone skin (not sponsored, just LOVE honest brand) & ever since I've been bubbling it up. 
SO, what makes a perfect bath? INGREDIENTS: 

Some people read in the bath but I'm more of a netflix-er. Lately it's been the fosters or gilmore girls. I'll watch an episode while my target dollar-spot candle burns & use this scrub. It's kind of heaven. 
Afterwards I'll moisturize with some soothing body lotion for optimal relaxation & by this point I'm usually so relaxed that all my anxieties have magically faded away. ....... for about five minutes, at least. 
I'm still getting the logistics down but for the most part I think I've found kind of the perfect bubble bath recipe. What's yours?
xo,