High Fashion on a Budget

As promised, I want to fill all of you in on my experiences with USC Fashion Week! I cannot stress to you enough how much fun I had and the experience I gained. I had never been to a real fashion show before so it was incredible not only to see but also to be able to help with the PR for the first event. You can check out recaps of the shows on the Fashion Board blog (including one I got to write!) so I want to share the outfits I wore! I picked out pieces that I felt like were on trend and they were super affordable.

My friend Anna looked beautiful in this dress! One of the collections was dresses made from newspaper and they were stunning. My dress was $12.80 from Forever 21 and I was loving it. 

For the finale I chose this white dress also from Forever 21. I think it was $27.80 and my shoes were only $14 from Payless! I truly believe that you can find style on a budget, especially for statement pieces that you know you won't wear all that often. 

I hope you liked seeing these outfits! For more details about the week, check out http://www.fashionboardatusc.blogspot.com

Xoxo, Katie 

Drugstore Hair Product Haul

I have a little bit of an obsessive problem with how much I love drugstores. Additionally, my mom is going through a crazy couponing phase which only encourages me further. As a result, I went all out toward the end of my spring break and decide to revamp my entire haircare routine! I've been loving some of the new products I found so I figured I would share. 

This product is one I've been using for years! I bought it because I knew I already loved it from past usage. It makes your hair so shiny after styling. Plus I absolutely love the smell of Garnier Fructis products. The fruitiness of it is my favorite thing.

This is a product that I know has been released recently so I thought I would give it a try. I've been using it right when I get out of the shower before I brush out my hair. It works as a great detangling product and definitely tames the frizz.

I also picked out these two from the new Loreal line and they have given me the most amazing results when blow drying my hair. My hair gets dried so fast and is smooth and soft to the touch. These are perfect for anyone with frizzy, wavy hair that wants to be able to get a smooth blowout at home. It makes my hair straight, touchable and perfect for when I want to style it the next day.

Out of all of the products this one is my favorite! It's kind of like a hairspray. On an every day basis I curl my hair with a 2 inch curling iron and I normally don't use hairspray so that the curls just become more relaxed over the course of the day. This product is what I never knew I was missing out on. It helps hold my curls but also makes it a little more texturized and messy in a purposeful way! I'm absolutely obsessed with it and again, the smell.

As for this mousse, it's not really my favorite. It gives me some volume but it doesn't last for as long as I would like it to; the Herbal Essences one that I've tried is a lot better! However, it definitely does the job. 

I hope this review helps you find some new products of your own! My next post is going to be about some of the Maybelline products I've found lately so stay tuned!

xoxo, Katie

Spring and Other Blooming Things

Not much makes me happier than warm weather. During the winter when the temperatures drop, it’s difficult for me to resist becoming a total recluse and cuddling up in my bed with several blankets (and most of the time that is exactly what happens.) Now that spring is here I can actually venture out into the light of day and my outlook on life always faces a much more positive turnaround. I’m also facing a lot of new and exciting opportunities to the point that I’m a little frightened of it all. Fear of failure is a very potent force in my life and is something that I want to change but that’s definitely easier said than done!

            To explain further, this week is USC Fashion Week! I’m a Social Media Assistant and I’m a Public Relations Assistant for the Student Designer Showcase tomorrow night. I’ve been looking forward to this week all year and I’m so glad it’s finally here. Talking with other members of the club as well as some of the industry professionals I’ve gotten to meet has really inspired me. I live and breathe for retail and I want to put even more drive into it than I already have. I’ll be sharing photos from this week as it happens. This one is from the Doggy Fashion Show we just had yesterday.

            Back to the topic of spring! I figured I would share a couple things that I’m into at the moment that need to be shared. My favorite Starbucks drink is an iced coffee with skim milk, cinnamon dolce syrup and light ice. The best part? A grande is less than $3! For coffee lovers like myself you have got to try this. It tastes amazing and it saves a lot of money. I also love my laptop sticker from MagicalMonograms on Etsy. That was only $6 and was delivered in less than a week! I love stumbling upon Etsy shops that have great prices and customer service.

            I know this post was kind of random, but I want readers to see a more personal side of me! That’s something I love to see in others. I leave you with this quote that inspires me to work towards my goals:

            “Find what you love and find a way to make that part of your every day. You have to find the confidence to take certain risks. You’re going to hear a lot of no’s before you get to the yes’. It’s important to have that confidence to overcome that and know it’s part of trying to grow something big.” –Whitney Port

Beauty Must Haves for the Southern Belle

With the re-do of my blog theme and title comes a newfound acceptance of the southern woman in me and a new post to tie it all together! Today I'm sharing some of my finds that tie in perfectly with my southern roots and hopefully hit home with you all as well. 

Tell me this isn't perfect. I dare you. 

When I stumbled upon this at Ulta yesterday I grabbed it without a second glance. While the southern love for sweet tea might not seem like it should transfer to skincare, it actually has powerful antioxidant properties. It worked with the lemon in it to unclog my pores while also calming redness. And might I add, peeling off masks is just plain fun! For only $2.99 this was a complete steal. 

Another pick of mine is these Stila lip glazes. A sheer pink gloss matches any daytime look you can dream of and will last throughout the day as well. And the color names and scents are a few of our favorite things: strawberry lemonade, apricot and peaches and cream! (All ideal for sitting out on the back porch in the middle of springtime.) 

Last but not least, I chose this solid perfume from Pacifica. It's primary note is jasmine, the state flower of South Carolina (so I might be a little biased). Paired with notes of sandalwood, the scent is fresh, alluring and perfect for spring.

I hope you enjoyed this combination of product recommendations! Stay tuned.

Xoxo, Katie

The Launch of Charm Bangles by Katie

I am super excited to share that yesterday I opened up an Etsy shop called Charm Bangles by Katie! I just want to share a little bit about the shop so you can decide if you want to give it a look. Here is the link if you want to go ahead and check it out!
CharmBanglesbyKatie

I make each bracelet out of 12 gage aluminum wire, which bends just easily enough so that I can work the bracelets! The way they are made they are also expandable so each one fits every size. And of course I have to add, they layer perfectly with Alex and Ani bracelets that are so popular! However, these are less than half the price of those so you can get more for your money. Right now four options are available but once the shop gets going I want to add more options and add gold!

This is what they look like! My personal favorite is the starfish, but I am also offering a dove, a celtic knot, and a gem with a crystal inside it. I would really appreciate you giving it a glance! Thanks for reading. xoxo, Katie