Sarah Pinto Planners

True Life: I'm an obsessive planner! I write down everything in order to function on a day-to-day basis! Planner shopping is not something I take lightly either. Sarah Pinto planners are recycled, support a cause, and are set up like a charm. They include a monthly calendar layout as well as weekly blocks.
I recommend! Check them out at : http://sarahpinto.com/

Graduation Cap Decorating

Sunday I will be graduating from one of the largest, (if not THE largest at the present time) universities in the U.S. At a graduation that big, looking unique in a cap and gown is important so that the friends&family who came to watch you can find you in basically an ant hill :) I decided to decorate my cap, and although it did not turn out exactly how I wanted it, I suppose it is still cute! Originally, I wanted to do the entire cap in rhinestones, with the OSU "O" in the middle of the cap, however my $8 budget didn't go very far in the rhinestone section at Michaels.

 This was step #1, just a piece of rough, black, glittery paper hot-glued to the cap. I should know when to leave well enough alone, because I actually like how it looked there better...

This is my finished product. I took red and silver (scarlet&grey) glitter glue and mixed it together then painted it on. (with my finger, HAHA kindergarden status!) Although it does not look as classy as Step #1, I'm hoping that from the audience, this thing can sparkle enough so that my friends&family know which little ant is me! :)

I thought I'd also share these pictures I found online. I love hello kitty, but did not think it was suitable for a college graduation.

- Kellie

Michael Kors

So, today I decided it would be appropriate to spend the remaining money on my Macy's gift card on a pair of Michael Kors Sandals. I cannot begin to express my near obsession with Michael Kors. Everything is so classy with an edge. I hope my Master's Degree can bring me some extra $ so that I can afford some Michael Kors pieces that will last for awhile if what I've heard is correct! Below are the sandals! The patent leather makes them more than just flip flops! Be sure to check out the other Michael Kors items available this season and definitely check out the wedge sandals that I posted in my first blog! Gorgeous!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
- Kellie

EcoTools

It wasn't until a couple years ago when I realized the importance of using makeup brushes to apply makeup. I had always used the applicators that come with drugstore makeup, and once I tried using even the cheapest $1 eye shadow brushes from Walmart, I instantly noticed what a huge difference it made! 

I have yet to spend money (that I don't have) on Mac Brushes or Sigma brushes, so I can't speak for them. However, I did try EcoTools brushes that are available practically anywhere (Walmart, Giant Eagle, Target, Ulta, etc) and I am obsessed! They are really soft and blend like a charm! To top it off, their eco-friendly :]

I really wish that I could find them sold as a complete set, however, over the past year I have been buying them in pieces and below are the pictures of the brushes I currently own.

As you can see, I have the need for a complete set! I like to keep some in my travel makeup bag and then some at home in a glass vase type of thing filled with sand on my counter! I'll post a picture later, I'm in the process of moving and it is packed away! :)

Thanks for reading!

-Kellie

Why I will never go dark! Favorite Blondes!

Getting tired with your hair color usually happens to everyone. I am always tempted to go dark because I think it would switch things up a bit and help me create different looks. Especially during the fall and into the winter, darker hair can look super festive! When it comes down to it though, some people are just blondes forever. (I think I am one of those people.) Here are my favorites! Since I am not a fan of the "yellow-y platinum"(not to be mistaken with golden-platinum) color, all of these have the perfect mix of the different blonde shades, especially the ashy whites!

Kelly Ripa! Love the ashy white color!

Hayden Panettiere!

Carrie Underwood!

Sara Underwood!

Marisa Miller!

If you are considering lightening up your hair a little, maybe you'll find these colors similar to what you would want! Summer is right around the corner.... :]

-Kellie

The Z-Palette! Condensing & Organizing Makeup!

I haven't bought eyeshadow palettes ever. All of my eye shadows are drugstore brands such as Cover Girl or Maybelline, with an exception of about 4 MAC eyeshadow pans. I was always highly annoyed with carrying around the separate eyeshadows in their little, typically oddly-shaped containers. When I discovered the Z-Palette on YouTube, I knew it was just what I needed to be organized and condense those eyeshadows and other pan products!

This is the Z-Palette that I have. They come in a smaller size as well and other colors! (See below)

This one is $20 from www.zpalette.com. (I used a coupon code ZPAL10, and it saved me about $2) For a little more expensive palette, check out UNII Palette http://uniicosmetics.com/ :] I don't know much about those, but they seem to be made with plastic, where as the Z-Palette is made of cardboard.

If you haven't heard of the Z-Palette, it is a case that has a magnetic backing that allows the eyeshadows to stay in place, in any order that you prefer. (If the eyeshadows aren't magnetic, you can buy sticky magnet pieces to attach to the back) I have also noticed that some people leave the bottom right or left of the palette blank for a "thumb space" to be able to hold the palette when applying eyeshadow.

De-potting your eyeshadows is probably the most hassle that you will endure when switching them into the palette. My favorite de-potting video is from beeisforbeeauty http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L1ymnF0ah4 I will warn that this was a VERY messy process for me. :]

I love the fact that all my eyeshadows are now in one place, and I recommend this to anyone who dislikes carrying around several containers and wants to organize once and for all!

XO,

-Kellie

Why Snail Mail Isn't Dead

Emailing and texting are great, don't get me wrong. However, "snail mail" still has an importance in our society, especially when it comes to Thank-You Notes. I think everyone would agree that sending something in the actual mail is a little more of a hassle, but when you get something in the mail it means that much more than a text or email. If you really want someone to know that you appreciate something, sending a cute Thank-You Note is a great way to be old school polite.

That is why everyone should buy some Thank-You Notes so that they are on hand when you realize you need one. I found some really cute ones at Boarders on sale for $2. 

I would also recommend ordering personalized Thank-You's! Check out : http://www.finestationery.com/ or http://www.invitationbox.com/ for that!

Here are some really cute and classy Thank-You Notes that would serve as a great gesture!

Thank-You! :)

-Kellie

MASCARA-- The Constant Hunt For The Best!

Mascara. The product I would choose if "I were on a deserted island". The only question would be, "which one?". Although I am always on the lookout for a better mascara, these are my favorites at the present time.

LashBlast! This is one mascara that I can honestly say I bought over, and over, and over. If I didn't discover what using two mascaras at once could do for me, I would still be buying this constantly. I still like it a lot though, and I think it is probably one of the best drug-store mascaras out there!

LashBlast Length! This mascara gets every single one of my lashes and lengthens them SO well. I could use this alone if I apply several coats to create volume, but I recently discovered that applying this and then MaybellineFalsies does the trick!

MaybellineFalsies! I honestly did NOT like this mascara the first couple times I used it. WAYYY too much product came out and it was very messy and clumping. After several uses though, it turned out to be great. Although I don't like it alone, when I use LashBlast Length first and then apply this to the outer lashes, it creates the look that I want which is length and full, false looking lashes that taper out towards the sides.

Loreal Million Lashes! Okay, so this brush is amazing. I would say this is one of the best mascaras I've tried in awhile. It lengthens and gives volume. Everything is perfect about it except the fact that the formula is a little wet and then dries with a strange consistency that causes my lashes to feel flaky and dry and stick together a little bit. I'm honestly obsessed with the brush though, so I think I'm going to experiment with trying to use the brush in a different mascara if it will fit haha!

DiorShow! I haven't used this mascara in quite some time because I am poor :) However, if I thought I could spend over $20 on mascara that you are supposed to throw away after 3 months, I totally would. This is definitely an amazing mascara when I have the money for it.

If anyone knows of a great mascara please leave it as a comment :)

Thanks for reading!

-Kellie