Forever21 MANIA!!!!

So, wow. Haven't posted in a long while. I've been super busy, and I guess haven't had much of anything of interest to anyone else to chat about. Until this past weekend that is.  We FINALLY got a Forever21 in Columbia. It's about time! They had a soft opening on Friday, and had the grand opening Saturday. The mall opens at 10am, so I figured I would stop by around then to avoid some of the Saturday-shopping crowds.

Oh. My. Lord.

I popped in around 10:40, and NEVER in my life have I seen a crowd like this in a store. To say that it was packed would be the understatement of the century. Our local hits radio station had a table set up in one corner, a DJ cranking out super loud dance hits was in another corner, 147 employees were running around like crazies, mall cops and other independent security guards were roaming around. This place was a mad house. I waited in line to try clothes on for about an hour and a half and waited in line to check out for about an hour and 45 minutes.

Why did I do that? I was there 4.5 hours. I got some good stuff, but dang, not that good! Needless to say my back was killing me and I was starving at the end of that trip.  After saying all that, it was kinda fun scrounging for cute things and milling about with all the other people who were also excited about finally having a F21 in the area!

This weekend was a great one to say in the least! Friday I went out with the girls. Saturday I of course shopped at F21, went to my old dance studio's end of the year recital and went out with a bunch of old friends that were in town, and today I spent the entire day out on the lake with friends! So much fun! Can't wait for a wedding weekend in Clemson for Memorial day in just 5 days! :)

Hope everyone has a fabulous week! ta ta

Weekend Fun

So, I know I'm a few days late, but Happy Easter.  We spent the weekend at my parent's mountain house in North Carolina.  We explored around, hiked to a waterfall, had a delicious Easter Sunday lunch, and did lots of relaxing! Here are a few pics from the weekend!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! There are so many fun Spring things to look forward to! Hasta.

Spring Finds

Gap

Gianni Bini-Dillards

Aldo

Testament from Piperlime

Aldo

Gap

Lulu's

Banana Republic

American Eagle

These are some of the goodies that I have picked up on some of my recent spring shopping trips! I hope to get some outfits posted soon, but I've been sporting my work uniform of jeans and a tee shirt pretty much everyday! I am also a tad lazy with the camera! 

Happy Monday! 

Things that make me HAPPY!

I've been a little bit in the dumps this week from just sitting at home and not getting out much except for work.  I don't know if this is TMI, but I have had the WORST cramps this week. I mean, seriously debilitating. I have never been in so much pain as I was yesterday morning.  Sometimes I hate being a girl!  Bleh! haha. So to help me remember how blessed I am and to remind me how many things I have to get excited about, here is a list of a few things that are currently making me H-A-P-P-Y right now! 

1. Waking up to a gorgeous spring day! It is going to be 80 degrees today! yahoo love it! 

2. My mom surprised me last night and brought me 2 lovely decorated petite fours that were DELICIOUS! I love little surprises like that. 

3. Looking forward to spending a weekend in Clemson. I'm leaving Friday night right after work.  My boyfriend couldn't come to visit last weekend so I absolutely cannot wait to spend the whole weekend with him in the most wonderful place in the world, CLEMSON! 

4. Being able to cross off items from my 'Spring Wish List'. My shopping trips have been extremely successful lately, and I have been able to buy some great stuff! Pics will be posted soon! 

5. Getting a random text from someone I love that just simply says "I miss you" or "I love you". It makes my heart smile for the rest of the day. 

6. The wonderful people who sell their wares on Etsy.  All the people  I have talked to on that site are the nicest, most helpful people in the world. It makes me cheery to know that there are so many people out there that are so kind and willing to make you happy with the products they share with us!  

What makes YOU happy? 

Have a fabulous Thursday....TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!!!!!!

Layne :) 

Shoppertunity.

I love to shop. I love a good sale. Whenever I find a good deal, my mom tells me I can never turn down a 'Shoppertunity'.  By her definition a shoppertunity is finding a fabulous deal that you just can't turn down. Or actually, it doesn't have to be a great deal, it can just be anytime you justify purchasing something you really, really want! haha

We went on a mother-daughter shopping trip to SouthPark in Charlotte, NC as we do every season. It's always so much fun! I racked up with 2 pairs of shoes, a scarf, white jeans, a chambray shirt, and a silk tank top.  As if that didn't already blow my bank account, I ordered two tops online today, one from Piperlime and one from Lulu's thats featured a few posts below! I cannot wait to get them in the mail! Hopefully I can put some outfits together and share some pics of fabulousity.

On a different note, a momento of venting, if you will: I am sick of my job! There are officially 9 more weeks of school left (including spring break, not that I'm counting or anything...). Don't get me wrong, I love my little nuggets I get to work with, but the job as a whole is getting supremely old. I've taken a few days off here and there, but I am in serious need of vacation.  I'm also currently in the process of finishing all my applications for internships this fall, and as soon as this last one is done, a celebration will be in serious order!  The due date for all of them is actually May 5th, so I'm proud of myself for getting everything done about a month early. I should be hearing back around mid-June, so keep your fingers crossed for me...I'm going to need it!

Posts of outfits to follow! :) Have an excellent Monday night!

Turquoise and Caicos

So on this incredibly rainy and stormy morning, I thought it would be the perfect time to review my new springy nail polish, Turquoise and Caicos by Essie to lift my mood! My old college roommate Caroline visited me for the weekend a few weeks ago.  While we were making a pit stop in the drug store, I mentioned trying to find a fun new nail polish for spring. A week later she mailed me a fun little thank you package that included this fun new polish! It was exactly what I was thinking of! How sweet! 


I usually just stick to pinks and reds, but I loved changing it up for this tropical aqua color! Perfect for spring! And the name is adorable!  My second graders at work loved it too.  They picked up my handsand stared at my nails all week! So cute (Hope that wasn't a sign that only second graders should be wearing a color like this...)! Now if only I was actually in Turks and Caicos....


PS. Sorry for the close ups of my sick-nasty cuticles...

PPS. Excuse the glittery thumb...I was in Target and wanted to try out the sparkles in the store..haha

PPPS. I hope my hands don't look that  wrinkled and gross in real life!

PPPPS. (last one I swear.) If you look at Turquoise and Caicos on the Essie website, it appears much darker in the picture.  It is much more vibrate and bright aqua on the nail. Hope that helps...

Also, since I'm in my review mode, I wanted to mention the new Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm.  I first noticed it after being advertised in Instyle and Lucky Magazine this month.  I went to my local Target later that week and picked it up in Rose (a red).  It's about $7 which isn't too bad!  I almost want to go back and get it in the deeper red, Red Dahlia! It is sheer color, which is good for me since I don't really have the balls yet to wear a bright red lipstick.  It brightens up my face while still looking really natural.  The 'featured' ingredient is Shea Butter, and is really moisturizing.  This being said, I find that the color doesn't stay long, and I need to reapply often.   

It also comes in a super cute little case, that is probably meant to be thrown away, but I actually keep mine in it so that it's easier to find in my purse!

I'm partial to the reds, but here are the other colors it comes in, they are all so pretty!




Have you tried Burt's Bees new Tinted Lip Balm? What do you think?

Dreary Saturday!

Hello my beautiful non-existent followers! 

This weekend was the one of the first weekends I have had to relax and do nothing in months! I have every weekend in April all booked up as well, so I'm trying to enjoy doing nothing. It's hard.  Today was quite rainy and gross, so I stayed in most of the day relaxing and cleaning my disgusting bedroom. I feel so much more rejuvenated now! :) The boyfriend is stopping by on his way back to school from spring break for a few hours tomorrow and I am so excited!! I haven't seen him in a few weeks! 


I've been meaning to do a post with some outfits, but my photographing skills are less than fabulous, so it might start off kinda rough. Oh well, no judging, right? Obviously no one is reading this yet anyway! Ha! 


I follow many different fashion blogs, and LOVE LOVE LOVE looking at the outfits these creative and wonderful ladies put together.  Here is my problem: I love fashion, and clothes and putting outfits together, but it just doesn't really seem practical for me to have/wear these fabulous outfits.  I think part of it is my living in the suburbs of a city in South Carolina. People just don't get dressed up much, and I am not one to really draw a lot of attention to myself.  Also, I think the crowd I run with is another factor.  I hang out with a lot of people that are still in college and dress super casual most of the time.  I also hang out with a lot of guys, and they are always in typical khaki shorts and tee shirts!  I don't like coming across as trying too hard or high maintenance!  
    I know people say you should dress in a way that fits your personality and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, but that's easier said than done for me.  Now, I'm not saying I wish I could have the balls to wear 8 inch platforms and tutus to Target, but it would be nice to have some extra confidence to dress a little edgier!  I find it hard dressing for the occasion.  It just seems like everyone is always so predictable and casual.  I think I need to start stepping out of my comfort zone a little and let my fashion inspirations carry over to what I actually wear going out and in my day to day life.  


Advice? Thoughs? Cares? Worries? Am I alone in this? Probably! haha

My Five (ok 6) Must-Haves for Spring!

California Coral by Essie

I love this bright cheerful coral color for spring! Essie is a great brand and is pretty much idiot proof, even for people like me, who really don't have a steady hand! ;)

Airport Ambiance Ivory Top from Lulu's.

I would totally pair this top with some cut-off denim shorts (jorts, if you will...) or some dark skinny jeans. Looks so comfy!

Straw Fedora from NY and Company  

I haven't tried on the fedora trend yet, so I don't know if I will end up looking like a tool. Here's to hoping...

Avenelle Cutout Wedges from JCrew

I was sold as soon as I saw the phrase, "leg lengthening" in the description on jcrew.com. Can't go wrong with a wedge heel and a nude color!

 

Skinny Boot Jeans from Gap

My local Gap store only carried these in the 'Curvy' style. In my normal size 4, they were HUGE in the waist. I plan to try these on when I go shopping Charlotte, NC next week.

Pleated Sleeveless Swing Dress by ASOS

Word on the street is that BLUE is the new BLACK. I don't know how long that's gonna stay true along with the new color block trend, but I would love to wear this dress with a cool statement belt!


What's on YOUR wish list for spring?
Happy shopping! :)

My Makeup Go-To's!

Here are the foundations of my daily make up routine:

CoverGirl Lash Blast in Water Proof. LOVE this mascara. Lengthens and volumizes! Some mascaras make my lashes fall flat after curling, but this keeps them curled!

I am OBSESSED with Bare Minerals (Make sure you use the BM brushes too, it makes a COMPLETE difference!) I also use Mineral Veil and BM eyeshadows! This foundation does everything it claims: Conceals, goes on light, and doesn't feel heavy!

My mom turned me onto this Clinique Airbrush Concealer. It goes on light and creamy, and luminates wonderfully!

I DIE for YSL Touche Eclat. It is pricey at $40 a pop, but it makes me look so much more awake and rested. I generally use it everyday for some added luminosity, but on the days where I didn't get my preferred 8 hours, it makes me look like I got my beauty rest! I also use it on the crease in my chin and the dark corners of my nose to brighten them up.




I am on the lookout for a good lipstain in a redish hue.  I have one by CoverGirl, but I'm not loving it.  I have also been noticing a lot of new cream blushes out there recently, but I'm not really sure how easy the application is. Any recommendations out there?

Bloggin' Beginnings

My first blog post! ahhh. I feel like such a nerd. I wanted a blog so that I could share beauty products I love, talk about trends, clothes, music, just whatever! There are so many great fashion blogs out there that I follow, and I thought it was time to try my hand at having one of my own! Here is a little about me:

My name is Layne. I'm a recent graduate of Clemson University (GO TIGERS!!!!) and I now live back in my home town in South Carolina trying to figure out my life! I work with kids at an afterschool program right now, but hope to soon become a Child Life Specialist.

I love fashion and always have. When I was in elementary school and everyone was spending money they got from birthdays and grandparents on toys or candy, I was spending my money on clothes from Gap Kids and Limited Too. I loved putting together my outfits for school.  Don't get me wrong, I was no trend setter, and I wasn't the kid wearing tutus and rainboots, but I have always LOVED clothes and shopping.

I'm a petite 5'2" so sometimes finding clothes with the right fit can be a pain.  Even 'short' or 'petite' pants can be too long! Aggravating!  Clemson has a pretty laid-back atmosphere so no one really dresses up much.  I usually wore jeans and a t-shirt even though I had a closet full of pretty nice stuff.  Now that I'm semi in the real world, I try to take more advantage of looking a bit more put together! Sometimes I still get lazy!


Some of obsessions as of current are:
-Finding the perfect pair of jeans
-Lucky Magazine
-Bare Minerals
-Gianni Bini shoes
-Target
-YSL Touche Eclat
-Anthropologie
-Statement necklaces
-Finding ways to save money


Anywho, it might take me awhile to find my style/niche on here, but I'm excited to get started. Hopefully this will get a little more interesting as I go! :)