MAY FAVORITES

May 2016. This month has been written in my various planners for four years. It's been an exciting date to look forward to, but also an extremely horrifying one at that. It is May 2016 that was my college graduation month. And just like that, through all the anticipation, happiness and dreadful tears, it's over. What a beautiful four years of college it's been, and I can't wait to see what's next in store. On that note, here's the products I've been loving this past month:

Skincare/ Primer

01) Milk Makeup Cooling Water- CAN YOU SAY OBSESSED? I had read about this product in Harper's BAZAAR in Hailee Steinfeld's beauty favorites spread, and wanted to try it out since it looked a little odd. It's called "Cooling Water," so I assumed it was a moisturizer stick of some sort, and when I finally got my hands on one early this month, I haven't turned back to cream moisturizer once. What a makeup-forward product! Truly from the future, Milk Cooling Water is a cooling moisturizer stick that reduces swelling and any irritation on the face. It's simply magical and this is certainly going to be a go-to for this summer. 

02) Youth To The People Kale + Tripeptide 37 Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid- This age-preventing and brightening serum has only been in my beauty/skincare collection for a month, but it's made its way to the top ten of skincare products I own in that short period of time. I've been using this oil at night during the past couple of weeks and I've noticed a massive difference in the brightness/ elasticity of my skin. Plus, it's vegan! LOVE.

03) Too Faced Shadow Insurance- An oldie, but goodie! I'm going to start adding throwback products to my monthly favorites (ones that are tried and true, and I use just about every day). This would be one! By far my favorite eye primer on the market (+ only $18 dollars!), Too Faced Shadown Insurance is the creamiest and best working eye primer I've ever used. It's a must-have staple. 

04) Cherry Balm Dot Com by Glossier- Guys. I cannot get enough of this product. I'm already a massive fan of Glossier and it's balm dot com's, so when I heard that a cherry flavor had been introduced to it's collection, I went absolutely nuts with a trillion high-expectations. And guess what? This product lives up to every single one. I like to apply this every night and throw it in my bag for day-time use. Obsessed. 

Makeup

05) Bleached Out Beige Shadow Stick by Mac- If you know my makeup habits, you know that I'm obsessed with cream eyeshadows and paint pots. That's why these pro-longwear waterproof colour sticks would be my new best friends for summer 2016. Perfect for swiping on while on a trip to the beach (if you don't want to go totally makeup-less), these babies are so easy to apply and throw in your bag for a day in the sun and on the water. 

06) Jello Color Kit by 22 Chosungah- Like Milk's Cooling Water, this is another product straight out of the year 2030. These bouncy eyeshadow are insanely pigmented, and I've been loving the middle few colors for everyday sparkly eye shadows. The texture of these darlings are out of this world, and their long-wear power is even more impressive. 

08) Queen B Melted Matte by Too Faced Cosmetics- Three words. Thank you Lindsey. For introducing me to these. I've briefly dipped my toes in the melted-matte land, with favorites from Colourpop and Maybelline. But this texture from Too Faced is probably my favorite, with easy, smooth application and a non-drying out formula. So comfortable to wear and so pigmented. Definitely investing in more of these. 

Miscelleneous

09) Anna Wintour Pin by Greenwich Letter Press- HOW FREAKIN CUTE IS THIS GUYS? As part of a beautiful gift basket given to me by Miss Amanda for my graduation, this pin takes the fashion cake. Glad to be Anna Wintour approved ;) nuff' said. 

10) Unicorn Vibes Only Sign by The Lala Shop- As my Lala shop monthly favorite for May, it's only natural I choose perhaps the cutest addition to my room decor this month: this unicorn vibes only sign!! Made in true Brandy Melville fashion, this Lala-original weathered sign is perfect to give a whopping dose of personality to any room. IN LOVE. 

And finally, clips + lookbook from this month- filmed by Avery Bart + edited by Miss Lindsey Marie:

Finally, I want to once again thank TOBI for sponsoring three out of my four looks this month. 

Check out more Tobi looks here. 

"Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues, 

Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues."

[Merry Wives of Windsor 5.1]

Cheers, xxoxo

SCREAM

If there's anything you'll never catch me dead in, it would be a polo shirt or a preppy blazer. After all, I spent the millions of middle and high school days stuffed up into itchy plaid skirts and skin tight Old Navy white polo shirts (that's the only way I allowed myself to wear them, the baggier they looked, the more unattractive, in my 17-year-old opinion). While there's something so distinctive and beautiful about a nice heritage look (calling on preppy McQueen and pretty Ralph Lauren runways), sometimes it just looks overkill... I'm talking the Blair Waldorf matching bow-skirt combos kind of overkill. So here, I decided to play with a more preppy style, not only in an anti-overkill fashion, but also in a way that does scream stiff middle/high school uniform either.

I started with this adorable sweater from Brandy Melville I purchased last summer... although you're unable to tell, it's short sleeve and has navy stripe detail on the neck and arms. I thought it was a perfect piece for my internship this year (which it was, as I wore it a ton), so I got it in two colors- white with black detail and black with white detail. I added these brand new BDG shorts from Urban, and completed them with a cute ribbon tie as my belt. This is a nice and subtle nod to the preppy Gossip Girl vibes without making me want to jump off a bridge (sorry, not sorry in the least). Finally, I popped on this mustard color blazer I purchased a while back from Forever 21. I paired this all with a lot of black and edgy accessories, from my Ray Ban sunglasses to my bag and killer Italian leather sandals. 

♡ Photos by Avery Bart ♡

"Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time."

[Merchant of Venice 1.1]

Cheers, xoxoxo

POISON IVY

Sets. Sets. Sets. Boy, do I love to get my hands on a sweet set for summer. I like to think of sets as rompers or jumpsuits, in the sense that you can throw them on and not worry about styling it too much (since it's pretty much already done for you). With that being said, I saved best for last for my last Tobi post this month. This Feelin' Flowery Set was just what the doctor ordered— a cool, detailed easy pair perfect for any summer party. I think the best quality of these pieces are definitely the snug fit and sweet proportion on the body—the skirt is tailored perfectly for a higher waist fit, while the top sits nicely at the tip of the midriff. The first thing that attracted me to this though would definitely have to be its gorgeous pattern, just look at that blue, white and black contrast. How gorgeous! (Compliments the background of the Freedom Tower quite well, don't ya think?! ♡)  

To edge it up a bit, I actually chose to go with high-top black sneakers and a wrap choker by Eterie. I also decided to pop a bit of neon yellow in my bag to really contrast the electricity of the blue. Finally, I popped on my Illesteva sunglasses and added some fun FLASH Tattoos to spark up the look. Check out more sets by Tobi here + Refresh your closet with these favorites: Dresses, Crop Tops, Rompers, Bodycon Dresses, Maxi Dresses, Party Dresses, Jumpsuits, Skirts, Sequin Dresses, Cardigans, Bodysuits, Midi Dresses

♡♡♡♡ Many thanks for sponsoring this post♡♡♡♡

Photography by Avery Bart 

"There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, 

Doing more murder in this loathsome world, 

Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell."

[Romeo + Juliet 5.1]

Cheers, xoxoxo

BLOODY BRUNCH

If there's one piece of summer clothing a girl must have in her closet, it's a brunch romper—and you simply can't go wrong with a capped sleeves and voluminous one like this. This Lucid in Lace Romper by Tobi has had me swooning since I was gifted it. Picking a romper with minute detail like this (a nice soft but not over powering lace) is simply perfect for summertime —it's not too in your face with a bold print, but it's still detail-oriented enough to catch someone's eye. I'm totally into the shape of this as well, it really accentuates the hips and shoulders, but nestles tightly around the waist. It's definitely playing with a bit of an out of the box silhouette, which I love.

For accessories I went simple and black. I paired this with a wrap choker by Eterie, a vintage fringe bag and my JC Inabas. This way, the darker color ground the entire look, and also adds some kickass detail (the gold metallic of the shoe is excellent for this!) So simple and incredible for an early afternoon boozy brunch—what more could you want? Check out more adorable brunch-apropos rompers from Tobi here. 

♡♡♡♡ Stay tuned for more looks courtesy of ♡♡♡♡

Photography by Avery Bart 

"Do you think because you are virtuous, 

that there shall be no more cakes and ale?"

[Twelfth Night 2.3]

Cheers, xoxox

TRIPLE X

For a couple of months now, I've been searching for the perfect black jumpsuit. And not the kind that's all prim and proper business casual. I'm talking a fun, sexy fashion forward interesting one— after all, a not-so-typical fashion girl deserves more than a basic black jumpsuit, amirite? So you can only imagine the look of glory on my face when Tobi sent me this super innovative black jumpsuit, complete with a sweet front cut-out and a high collar (pretty much anything with a high collar will win me over, for the record). This 'Right On Track' halter jumpsuit is exactly the dream jumpsuit I've been looking for: not too prim, extremely chic, eclectic, and quite comfortable (the cherry on top of this beautiful cut-out sundae). 

To style it up a bit, I rolled up and cuffed the pants to play with the proportion. Adding a heel while rolling up a pant in this way will actually give off the illusion that you're taller than you are —  a little trick I love. I added two light coats of armor on top: one light black long jacket from Forever 21, and an H&M green bomber jacket to give the look a little color. For accessories, I kept it simple with some strappy sandals by Sam Edelman and a gold double layered necklace. My sunglasses are from PERVERSE and my lip tint is 'Latte' by Lush.. the perfect peachy golden finish to the look. Check out more jumpsuits by Tobi here. 

♡♡♡♡ Stay tuned for more looks courtesy of ♡♡♡♡

Photography by Avery Bart 

"All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: 

Many a man his life has sold But my outside to behold"

[Merchant of Venice 2.6]

Cheers, xoxo