Last Minute Halloween Costume!

It's Halloween morning and you don't have a costume...DON'T FREAK OUT! I am going to show you a super cute 60's girl costume thrown together with things you already have in your closet. For clothes, all you need is a pair of skinny jeans (those are my favorite skinny jeans of all time, seriously AMAZING), some converse or keds and a chambray or tie front top. For makeup/hair grab some red lipstick, draw on some super winged liner, and tease that hair like you're from Texas girl! 

What are y'all being for Halloween? Look for what I'm actually dressing up as on Instagram tomorrow!! 

hearts&stars

Erin

So you're going out...

My favorite part of a night out isn't the night out (unless something earth shattering happens). My favorite part of a big night out is getting ready. There is NOTHING better then spending two hours getting all dolled up even if you're just going to you're favorite dive bar. The worst part of a night out is when you get home at 2 am and look in the mirror and girlllll you are looking RUFFFFFF. In the hopes of preventing that two am horror movie moment (you know when the girl looks in the mirror and realizes the murder is right behind her) I am going to share my favorite tips and tricks for making your makeup last as long as you do. I'm talking getting back to the casino at 4 am in Las Vegas after dancing your ass off to David Guetta at XS and STILL looking good. (Not that that happened or anything...)

This can be achieved in three easy steps...

Step 1: Primer -  find your perfect primer, the one that fits you best. At the moment I'm LOVING the Napolean Perdis Auto Pilot Primer. I then will put a little bit of Benefit's Porefessional in the areas that I need it. 

Step 2: Eye Primer - If you know me you know I have the OILEST eyelids ever. Two minutes after I put on any eyeshadow it has already creased. Here is where the NARS 'PRO PRIME' SMUDGEPROOF EYESHADOW BASE comes in. I don't use the phrase holy grail very often but this product is truly my holy grail eyeshadow primer. 

Step 3: Setting Spray - I have used many setting sprays but my personal favorite is the Ben Nye Final Seal setting spray. This is meant for stage makeup and it is rumored that the Disney Princesses use this to keep their makeup on all day. It is a little intense so if you have slightly more sensitive skin try something like the URBAN DECAY DE-SLICK OIL-CONTROL MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY. In a bind spraying your face with some hairspray will do the trick!

Step 4: WATERPROOF, WATERPROOF, WATERPROOF! Always choose waterproof versions of your favorite mascara and eyeliner!

Y'all try this and let me know what you think! What are your favorite tricks for getting your makeup to stay on all night? 

hearts&stars

Erin

Europe - Just call me the Other Other Boleyn Girl

I work at the local farmer's market in Dallas selling baked goods, for in my opinion the best bakery in Texas, and one of the regulars suggested that while I was in London I take a day trip to Hampton Court, Henry the 8th's palace. I have always been fascinated by the Tudors and this was a day trip that I was so happy I took. It was about a 45 minute train ride from London and then a quick walk across the bridge and I was there! There was no tour but you were free to wander, which I sort of prefer. The palace was so beautiful and the gardens were incredible. I even saw the longest grape vine in the world. 

hearts&stars

E

Friday Favorite

Happy Friday! This week felt like it was never going to end but I am finally free! 

This week I have been loving wearing one color all over my lid with slight cat eye as such:

I've been rocking this everyday this week and almost everyday since I got back from Europe. The colors have changed but most of the time they are dark and slightly metallic. This is a completely different look for me since I typically stay away from glitter or metallic eyeshadow and more often than not I don't really wear a lot of color on my lids because I prefer a dark lip. 

Here are some of the colors I have been using on my lids:

It's so hard to get out of your comfort zone, especially when it comes to make up but do it! You never know how a slight change in your eyeshadow or the addition of a flick on your eyeliner can make you feel like a whole new person!

Europe - London Calling

I recently forced myself completely out of my comfort zone and went on a European adventure alone. I have been dreaming of traveling my entire life and while there is no place on this earth that I do not want to see Europe has always been number one on my list. Instead of talking you through my trip in a timeline I wanted to do one post on each city I visited. Up first is London. London was my first and last city as I ended up going back there in the end to meet up with a friend. 

My trip started at 10 am on Friday October 17, 2014. I flew from Dallas to Chicago, Chicago to Dublin, and finally arrived in London at 9 am on Saturday October 18, 2014. I met up with my wonderful friend Lindsey and we promptly began sightseeing. Up first was Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

The shard was right by our hostel so I think I saw it everyday we were there. After that little sightseeing adventure we met up with one of Lindsey's friends who lives in London and headed down to Brighton but what we did there will be in an entirely different blog post. The next stop on our list of touristy activities was Buckingham palace. 

The weather was incredible every day my entire trip except for the last day so Lindsey and I walked through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens until we found the Peter Pan statue which for some reason I was really excited to see. (That reason is because of Winning London, that Mary Kate and Ashely move. Judge me, I am)

Since it was Sunday we figured we probably needed a traditional Sunday roast which wasn't anything special but the sticky toffee pudding we had for dessert was incredible. Someone bring this shit to America, stat!

The next day I was on my own since Lindsey had gone to Edinburgh a day earlier than me so I went on a little history tour of London. First up, Shakesphere's Globe Theatre where I got to watch the rehearsal of a play. 

The rest of these pictures are from my return to London to meet Eva. Some of my favorite parts include high tea at Harrods and wandering around Portobello Road market and Notting Hill. No, there were no Hugh Grant sightings. 

I hope you enjoyed traveling through London with me...keep a look out for more cities and sights...

hearts&stars

E

the secret to the softest skin ever

I recently got back from a 17 day trip around Europe (look for upcoming blog posts about the entire trip starting on Wednesday) and after plane rides, train rides, and hostels there was nothing I wanted to do more once I got home then take a nice long hot shower. I needed to feel like a new woman and after following my favorite skincare rountine trust me, I did. So today I wanted to share with you my secrets to having the softest skin ever. 

Step one is to take a really long hot bath. Grab your favorite lush bath bombs and bubble bars and relax girl, you deserve it! After soaking in the tub until my fingers are raisins I wash my body with the body wash of the moment then I exfoliate. This exfoliant is the true star of this post. 

My favorite exfoliant is Frank Coffee Scrub. This stuff is incredible. It comes in a coffee bag and looks and smells like coffee. Like all scrubs, I turn off the shower and scrub it all over my body. I then let it sit on my skin for 5 - 10 minutes before washing it off. I personally like to dance around my shower to some of my favorite guilty pleasure music to pass the time. (I know I'm not the only 25 year old out there who loves One Direction.) After you rinse it off you will feel how crazy soft your skin is. It is insane. Be forewarned though, the company's slogan isn't "Get Dirty with Frank" for no reason. This stuff can make a mess. I find myself standing in the corner of my shower as I'm applying for fear of getting it all over my white bathroom. Don't worry though it will wash out. 

Once I am all dry I LOVEEEE using any of The Body Shop Body Butters. My favorite scents are clementine, rose, or almond but they are all the same formula. They make your skin so soft and in combination with Frank you will have skin that feels like new! 

Let me know if this works for you! What is your favorite soft skin trick? 

hearts&stars
E