JUNE FAVORITES

I cannot believe that it's nearly July. June flew by (as per usual when it comes to summer months) and was overall a super productive month for me. In short, I started working with the Lala as a full time intern, and let me tell ya, it's a bomb time... (I mean who else gets a package of welcome goodies on their first day, or has a neon pink flamingo sign lighting up their office?) Wanna keep posted on our hard work and shenanigans? Follow us on our Snapchat. And with that, let's get into products I've been lala-loving this month.

Beauty 

01. The Original Beauty Blender- I cannot believe I've jumped on this bandwagon, but I also can't believe that it took me this long. I purchased this beauty blender on a whim (curse those bins on the Sephora register line), because I figured, well why not give it a try? (Considering people swear by this product). At first, I was shocked at how small the sponge is. For $20, this sponge is smaller then the size of your palm, but I didn't realize the point of this until I actually used the sponge. It's meant to be small for a reason, and it actually makes it much easier to use. I've used it quite often since I've purchased it, and I actually like the smoothness of the application with it. The only two things I don't really like about this blender would be that it sort of soaks up a lot of the face product without distributing a huge amount of it, and the fact that it's a sponge, more susceptible to bacteria. Other then that, it's held up pretty well, but I am curious to see how long it'll last!

02. Urban Decay Naked 3- With all the excitement regarding Naked Smokey (oh boy,) it had me going back to my Naked roots, thus using all of the palettes quite often this month. I found myself returning back to the third one more than a few times, and although the second is probably my favorite out of the three, this one really gained more of a place in my heart (wow, cheese). My favorite combo right now would definitely have to be Limit and Burnout on the lid, with Nooner in the crease, and Strange as the highlight.

03. Mac Silk Stocking- This metallic pigment by Mac makes it's way into my favorites every couple of months, mainly because its one of my favorite pigments that I've ever owned, and also because it just adds the perfect sparkle for a fancier eye look. I used this to jazz up my makeup for a wedding I attended this past weekend (details to come on my outfit next post), and I got so many compliments on the outcome. It's simply the best glittery investment ever. 

04. YSL Rouge Volupte No.2- Guyssssss. I'm not sure if I've ever included this baby in my favorites before, but boy is it my bad if I haven't. So, to clarify, I have a strict rule about YSL products, as in, I only splurge on them for by birthday (when I end up getting more than one gift card to Sephora). I have four YSL lipsticks, 2 which I purchased with gift cards on my birthdays, 1 which I got discounted at a CCO, and finally, another that I received as a gift. This one was thanks to a gift card, and I'm so happy I got my hands on it when I did. This is the creamiest, smoothest, most moisturizing nude lip color I've ever owned. This is also gold for summertime because it's a savior for dry lips. I'd say two pretty good dupes for this one is Mac's Cremecup or NYX Matte Lipstick in Nude color wise, but nothing can match YSL's consistency. 

05. Sephora Lipstick Remover- A recommendation from Miss Lindsey! And the best recommendation at that! This stuff is pure magic and I love it. It perfectly removes matte/ thick lipstick, and is perfect for those strong T-Swift Reds or pigmented Kylie Jenner pouts. And guess what? They won't even leave a stain if you use this to take them off. 

Glow/ Hair

06. St. Tropez Self Tan Express- It's that time of year! And by that, I mean, the time of year where you work during the summer at the greatest website in the world, so you don't have time to head to the beach and gain that summer glow. Although I am a Jergen's fan, my higher end choice has always been St. Tropez. This stuff goes on completely smooth without streaks (pretty much no matter what), and gives you a more natural browny-glow, which compliments my olive skin quite well. Other self tanners tend to be orange, but I love that this goes for the bronze, not the pumpkin hues...

07. Bumble & Bumble Heat Protectant- I included my new favorite shampoo and conditioner from this line in my May Favorites, so I decided to throw the heat protectant into this month's favorites. A few months ago, while chopping my hair off, (or well, quasi-doing so), I  heard words from my stylist that many individuals dread: "your hair has heat damage." Ever since then, I've been pretty on top of using heat protectants before I blow dry or use hot tools on it, and I have to say, I really think it's made a difference.

08. Sephora Magic Elastics- I love these, guys! These are perfect for half up, half down do's, braids and twists alike. The blend so nicely into your hair, and are just super convenient for styling. Super quick & easy fix to rid of those chunky hair ties cramping your style. 

Miscellaneous

09. Lala Journal and Knock Knock Stuff Notepad- So first off, as you can already tell, I'm really into stationery for June (which is ironic, if only I tried to be this organized in September...). This first favorite, my customized Lala journal was a gift to me from Molly and Katherine and I'm absolutely obsessed with this pattern the picked out-- it's SO incredibly me. Plus on the back, there are a bunch of cute pineapples. As for the second favorite, I've always been obsessed with Knock Knock Stuff thanks to Happy Jack's (a fun store in Lake George, NY) and I'm actually surprised not as many people know their stuff. I believe they have sold some of their products at Urban in housewares, but it's still a pretty small company that I feel hasn't gotten the attention it deserves. I'm pretty much obsessed with their notepads and stickies, as I have a bunch, and you should be obsessed with them too. Like, their stuff is so cute. And fun fact, these "Mental Note" stickies are what I use to label my custom made Mac palettes. 

10. Tassel Bracelet by Elizabeth and Marie- How freakin adorable is this bracelet?! Not only am I obsessed with the neon pink and black (very very my style), tassel bracelets are so fun for summer and this one has delicate but bold written all over it. The glassy black beads make this a gorgeous accessory that you can dress up or down, and it's simply adds a really cool touch and pop of personality to any outfit.

11. Cadey Lee Nude Suede by Schutz- Three words. SCHUTZ, SCHUTZ, AND SCHUTZ. I CANNOT get enough of this banging shoe brand. These are my new favorite strappy heels in my closet, and I pretty much now need them in every single color. Plus, they're actually comfortable, believe it or not!

& Finally, lookbook & clips from this month (+ BLOOPZ) 

Happy July!

"I think the devil will not have me damned,

lest the oil that's in me should set hell on fire"

[Merry Wives 1.5]

Cheers, xoxox

SHINING

I know what you're thinking. Alanna, why are you wearing a wool hat and leather shorts in 90 degree weather? To be fair, it wasn't that hot, but yes, I was definitely roasting a little bit- all in good fun. I also got to go on a top secret fashion mission with Miss Lindz so let's call this my "undercover" ensemble.  

I first wanna talk about this tank and how much I adore it's cut. It's from Brandy Melville, and at first I was hesitant about getting this slatey-grey, but I actually really am happy I did. I wanna go back for it  in every color though. 

The ease about this shirt is appealing, but what's even more appealing about it is the fact that you can dress it up for fun like I did here. I paired it with these adorable leather shorts I got on sale for $10 at Urban Outfitters last year (yep, $10), and one of my favorite pairs of Jeffrey Campbell's I've ever laid my eyes on. Finally, I couldn't go without a little drama, so I added this wool hat from Volcom, and finished it off with my Marc Jacobs Ligero bag. 

 ♕ Photos by Lindsey Marie ♕

"For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright, 

who art as black as hell, as dark as night."

[Sonnet 147]

Cheers, xx

CATASTROPHE

You know what's cooler than wearing black & white with a pop of color? Wearing black & white with a pop of neutral. I have to say, I really think it's probably my favorite combination to date. For this ensemble, I started with these amazing scalloped shorts I purchased last summer from Marshall's. Yup, you read that right, Marshall's. I jumped for this piece, because not only was it a simple, nude, short amongst an array of bold patterns, the fabric of these shorts is not the Marshall's norm. Expensive looking, durable, and easy, it's a pair of shorts in a million. 

For the rest of the look, I wanted to get a little creative with a contrasting textile. I thought this graphic lace tee did just the trick. I purchased this baby back in Salerno last May, (omg, bring me back now) and it's become one of those staple pieces in my wardrobe that I don't think I'll ever give away or get rid of. It's simply too beautiful! The black lace adds a ton of dimension and really pops off the shorts. Obviously, this look couldn't be complete without a little pang of color, so I decided to add this gorgeous burnt red bag, and finished it off with these adorable and most comfortable slip-ons. 

"How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, 

in form and moving how express and admirable, 

in action how like an angel, 

in apprehension how like a god -- 

the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!"

[Hamlet 2.2]

Cheers, xoxox 

ALARUM

You guys. I hope this set is making you melt as much as it made me melt when I laid eyes on it. Sets, in general, just have a way with tugging at my heart strings during hot summer days. This banging set was purchased from Necessary Clothing (click for top, click for bottom), and I think the first thing that drew me to it was the color. As I've mentioned before, most of my closet is various shades of blacks and neutrals, so this is pretty bold for me, but I'm kind of digging it. It's literally a gorgeous neon orange and I edited up my photos a bit to give it that Lana Del Ray vibe which I think compliments it nicely.

I went with really subtle details for this look, adding a simple Orelia necklace and black sandals from a boutique in Rome. To give it a little contrast and dimension, I decided to wear one of my favorite purses in my closet: this GORGEOUS vintage rose leather bag that was given to me by my mom. How cool is that detail? I think the color bounces off the orange quite nicely, and it really gives this look a rustic and unexpected edge.

 ♕ Photos by Jack Walsh  ♕

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, 

and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

[The Tempest, 4.1]

Cheers, xoxox

VENOM

Happy June Ladies + Gents!

This post is all about the maxi skirt. Maxis will be the golden ticket of your closet: you can pull them off just about any time of the year, depending on how you style it. I prefer ones that have a little slit in them (to break up all of that fabric a bit) and ironically, for someone who doesn't wear a lot of bold colors and patterns, I believe you should go all the way with them! It's a go big or go home kind of deal. So next time you're shopping for that golden closet ticket: go big and reach for the boldest patterns and brightest colors. You'll always find a way to some how many them work very often.

This gorgeous maxi is courtesy of Necessary Clothing! (Basically a goldmine of fun pieces like this, but I encourage you to be careful and read through what fabric it is before purchasing there, avoid fabrics that are likely to not last long, like large percentages of nylon or polyester- blends will be more durable). This skirt actually comes with a top that matches (it is indeed a set!) which I hope to feature later in the summer on KQ together since I purchased both, but this time round I decided to pair it with a black Brandy Melville bralette. I finished this casual summer city look with these sandals I purchased back in Rome last may, and my new Marc Jacobs "Ligero" Leather Satchel (IN LOVE). 

♕ Photos by Lindsey Marie ♕

"The world is grown so bad,

 that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch"

[Richard III 1.3]

Cheers, xoxo