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Amazon Try-on Sesh

10/18/2019

2 Comments

 
It's been a while since I've done a try-on session!  Amazon has some amazing pieces that are super affordable, but you definitely have to be careful about the quality.  I really liked all of these pieces that I purchased this time around.  There are definitely some differences in what was in the picture and what I actually got, which I've noted below.  There are links to shop below the images.  

Just a reminder that I get a small commission for any link you click and then decide to purchase.  I appreciate your support!  Please feel free to send me an email or leave a comment with any questions - I'm happy to help!

Color Block Cardi

I love this cardi!  I feel like long cardigans are the kimono of the Fall!  So nice just to throw something on over jeans and a tee or leggings and look presentable :)  

I thought this would have pockets, but now I see I just didn't look hard enough!  There are other colors with pockets that I think I would have preferred.  I'm also linking another really cute cardi that is a dupe of a Madewell one.  I do like that this one comes in so many cute colors.  I really love the blue/white/gray combo too!
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OTS Top

I really love this top for a girl's night out or date night.  The quality is really good, one problem is that it's not lined in the back!  It would still look really cute with a black strapless bra, but I defintiley like more coverage in the back.  You could definitely pair it with a black cami, but the straps would obviously show - but would be a cute look too.  Another option would be to pair it with a cute bralette like this one.  Comes is some other really cute colors too.  And I love it paired with the leopard booties :) 
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Cozy Knit Cardigan

How sweet is this cardigan??  I've been eyeing this one for a while and it's so perfect for Fall/Winter.  I love a Winter white!  This also comes in pink which is super cute for Valentine's Day!  This one just reminds me of an Irish sweater - love it!
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Camo Top

This is a great casual top!  I love the pink!! It looked more like a sweatshirt to me in the pic, but it's actually quite thin, so it doesn't bulk you up at all!  Perfect piece for casual weekends!  Love that you can wear it off one shoulder too.
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Cozy Pullover

OMG!  This is my favorite piece from this haul.  These pullovers are everywhere this Fall and I'm obsessed with this one!  Super affordable and SO cozy!  I love the pink detail.  It also comes in a really pretty white with pink detail, but I knew I would just make a mess of that, so I went with the gray!  There are a lot of other pretty color combos though.  For under $30, you definitely need this in your wardrobe for Fall!!
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Leopard Top

This is another really nice staple piece!  I'm loving the leopard trend, but if you're concerned how long the trend will last, this is perfect b/c it's so affordable.  I love it under a blazer or leather jacket.  Would also look great with a pencil skirt and booties.  The neckline looks a lot lower in the pic, but it's really a crew neck and you can see in my picture below.
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2 Comments

This week's obsessions

8/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Here are this week's obsessions!  Most links are listed below and you can also click on the image to shop.  I use affiliate links, which means I get a small commission on anything you buy.  Thanks for supporting me!

Bracelet Stacks!

Obsessed with these Victoria Emerson Wrap bracelets! I have 2 of the cuffs, which look like a stack of bracelets, but it actually one bracelet with a super easy magnetic closure. And their entire site is 40% off right now (No code needed)!
The one in my pic is sold out, but here's a similar one:
https://www.victoriaemerson.com/collections/boho-bracelets/products/kalamazoo
I also have this one that I love:
https://www.victoriaemerson.com/collections/boho-bracelets/products/burgos

Also linking the other 2 bracelets in the pic that I've been wearing on repeat from Stella & Dot:
https://shopstyle.it/l/7suT
​https://shopstyle.it/l/7sru

Here are my sandals (super comfy!): https://shopstyle.it/l/7uDw
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Blue Light Blocking Glasses

I've posted these before on my stories - LOVE these blue light blocking glasses. They say that blue light (which comes from your phone, laptops, TV, etc) can inhibit the production of melatonin, so I use these 2 hours before going to bed and I really feel a difference! Plus, they're so cute and under $20!
​https://shopstyle.it/l/7sAM
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Safety Pin Earrings

How adorable are these earrings? I bought them from a jewelry maker in Williamsburg and I think I've worn them every day this summer! They also come in a really cool black matte that I kind of want to get! Also linking this hat which was in my last round of obsessions and only $15 :)
Earrings: https://www.dixonian.com/product/safety-pin-earrings
Hat: https://shopstyle.it/l/7sA8
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Color Changing Lipstick

This lipstick is the BEST. It changes color based on your pH and is literally the perfect shade of pink on everyone. I've had a bunch of friends try it and it's different on everyone, but looks amazing! It's also a fun conversation starter! The green color is so fun!
​https://shopstyle.it/l/7sBE
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Happy Shopping!!  Feel free to message me with any questions!
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One dress - styled 6 different ways

8/2/2019

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I LOVE this Amazon dress!  It's so flowy and fun and it's only $22!  It also comes in a TON of different colors.  I also love the fact that you can wear it dressed up or totally dressed down.  I wanted to share some different ways I styled it.  I love when you can get so much out of such an affordable dress!  Happy shopping!!

Sweet & Simple

I love this dress just the way it is.  Paired it with these adorable stud sandals (also from Amazon!) and a cute pearl hair clip. 
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Belted

I love the look of this dress with a belt!  Makes it a bit more casual, but still refined and really defines your waist to make the dress even more flattering.  Love it with the pop of print in the leopard espadrilles and the pretty round straw bag.
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Dressed down

I love wearing a dress almost the entire summer, but sometimes you want more of a casual look.  This dress looks so adorable with cute sneakers and a jean jacket.  This would be so cute to wear to a concert.
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Dressed up

This dress also looks SO great dressed up!  You can wear it to a wedding or a bridal/baby shower.  It's surprising how nice it looks for being so affordable!  And I absolutely love pairing it with a pop of color.  The blue looks so great with these orange heels!  Would also look great with a hot pink pair,  And I love this long necklace from Stella & Dot!  You can wear it together or take them apart to wear them separately: 3-in-1!!
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Hat & flats

I love this look too!  Definitely dresses it down a bit and really comfy with these amazing flat sandals from Blowfish (I'm obsessed with them!).  And I'm super into hats this summer!  Not only are they cute - they help protect from the sun too.
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Beach coverup

This dress is a perfect beach coverup!  I love pairing it with my ruffle sleeve top b/c it looks like it's part of the dress and adds such a cute detail!  (A little secret - I've worn it like this even when I'm not going to the beach :) ).  This blue color is so perfect for the beach and I love it with this straw pom pom bag!
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This week's obsessions

7/26/2019

0 Comments

 
Thought I'd start sharing some of the things I'm obsessed with lately (there are a lot - haha!).  Would like to do this on more of a regular basis and share a handful of really great items that I can't live without!  I'd also really love your feedback!  If there's an item you love that I can try - let me know!!  Or, if there's a category of something you're looking for, I might have some suggestions.  Feel free to comment below, send me an email, or message me on Instagram or FB.  I love hearing from you guys!!

Without further ado, on to this week's obsessions...

Lip tint

This lipstick is the BEST!  Goes on super smooth - stays on all day and smells fantastic!  Plus the dragonfruit color is SO pretty.  Bright pink (but not too bright!) - perfect for summer!  Ever is also running an amazing deal through the end of the month - if you spend $80 you get a free Whiplash mascara and if you spend $150 you get the Sublime retinol eye wrinkle smoother + the Whiplash mascara!!  For any new customers, use this link to get $20 off your first order: 
https://www.talkable.com/x/isLma2 
And here's the link to order:
https://www.everskin.com/with/meghanmcalpine/products/5780-smooth-stick?style=8495
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Fedora Hat

If you watch my Instagram stories, you've already seen this, but I'm obsessed!  This hat is so cute!  It's so great to throw on with a casual outfit while running errands.  I particularly like this because when you have bangs - they don't always cooperate and if you don't feel like washing your hair - this is a game changer.  It's also perfect at the beach - super lightweight and it's UPF 50 !!  Although anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE being in the sun - but my skin doesn't love it (nor does my dermatologist!).
This hat is also a steal at $15!  Seriously considering buying another color too - the black one is adorable.  This one is the khaki color.

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Water Bottle

This water bottle is a game changer!  The fact that I can leave it in my car on a hot day for a LONG time and it's still cold is amazing!  I'm also obsessed with the pretty pink color :)
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Steamer

I heard about this steamer from another local blogger and it just came in the other day.  Love it!  I absolutely HATE ironing and try to never do it, but sometimes you gotta cave, and steaming is so much easier!  Love this one b/c it's super portable and you don't have to bring out an entire machine.  
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Reef Sandals

I've been obsessed with my Reefs for YEARS.  I always go for the thin strap "Ginger" sandals, which I couldn't live without, but I tried these this summer after seeing them on a friend.  I love the gold shimmer, but they are also really comfortable.  They don't look like they would be, but they super soft and comfy!  They come in a bunch of other different colors, but I really love the gold!
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That's all I got this week!  I'll plan to post some other obsessions here as well.  Enjoy the weekend!  Stay cool!!
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Amazon Prime Day!!

7/15/2019

1 Comment

 
Amazon Prime Day (or actually days!) is here!  Shop today and tomorrow for some amazing deals!  Does anyone have something they've been waiting to buy??  I bought my kindle last year, which was an amazing deal!  I'm also considering buying a new TV - I've literally had mine since 2006 (!).  I can't believe it's lasted that long, but there are some issues with it (like to black lines running down the right side!).

Anyway, I'm posting some of my favorite Amazon finds below.  Some are part of the Prime deals, but some are just amazing deals that I wanted to share.  

Many of my friends and family ask how they can support me and a lot of people don't know how these affiliate links work, but basically - if you click on any of my links below and buy that item, I get a small commission.  I really appreciate you shopping through my links and supporting me!

​On to my picks!  Happy Shopping!!

(Click the picture for a link to buy!)

This is such a fun dress for summer - so obsessed with the palm print!
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OMG guys - this is the best!  I usually dry my hair a bit with a regular hairdryer and then use this to finish it off and it seriously looks like I just came from the salon.  Love it!
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I have this dress in 2 colors and it comes in so many different colors and patterns.  Perfect for a summer wedding or getaway.
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Dress
Purse
Sandals
The Echo spot it great!  I love the screen to I can see the weather and time - plus it's awesome for recipes in the kitchen so you can read along.
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This dress is perfect for the beach - super casual and effortless, plus it has pockets!
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This dress is so cute!  Love the ruffle sleeves and it comes in a ton of cute colors.
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This suit is so flattering - love the colorblock!  This kimono is the best too - I really want the blue one too!  Looks so cute over jean shorts and a cami as well!
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Kimono
I love these blue light blocking glasses.  They say that blue light can inhibit the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep at night. I swear that when I wear these about 2-3 hours before bed, it helps me fall asleep much faster!  And they're super cute :) 
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Love this suit! The palm print is adorable and it’s super affordable.
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This kimono is one of my faves!  Love the floral print and it works great over a bathing suit or with jeans and a t-shirt.
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Such a fun floral dress!  The belt comes with it too and is super cute.
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This is another cute, fun floral dress for summer!  Also comes in a lot of other great colors and patterns.
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These are great!  So nice not to be tangled up in the cords!
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This dress is the BEST! So cute and flowy and comes in so many colors.
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1 Comment

4th of July Outfit Ideas

6/28/2019

1 Comment

 
As I've mentioned, I LOVE summer. Seriously the best season for me. I kind of wish I could live in Southern California (like 3 of my siblings - SO jealous), but that just isn't the case, so I'll just bask in the glow of the hot sun while I can!

4th of July is always so fun! I'm usually at my family's lake house in Massachusetts. I grew up going to this lake every summer with all of my cousins and it has so many memories. My parents bought a newer house on the same lake a few years ago and we're making more memories there! My kids absolutely love it and anytime I can be out on the water, I'm happy! Also - I get to get out on my paddleboard, which is one of my happy places for sure!

Here are some cute outfit options for the 4th!

 I love this look!!  Patriotic, but not completely over the top.  I bought this skirt a while ago at a local boutique, (Echo - which I love!) but I'm linking some other fun options below.
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Our 4th is usually SUPER casual. I mostly just wear my bathing suit all day! This year, I'm planning to wear my kimono as a coverup - which is so fun! Love the versatility of wearing a kimono with jeans and a tank or as a coverup.  
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I found this kimono that I've been eyeing as well and it would look really adorable with a navy or red suit!  I'd also love it with my navy and white striped bikini.  Kimonos are my favorite right now! And this one is under $20!
I love these pants!  I have them in multiple colors and these are perfect for the 4th.  Super affordable and cute!  Love it paired with a denim jacket too, although given the weather we've been having, I don't think I'll need it!
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This dress is a great Amazon find!  Such a fun casual dress or coverup.  Also love the look tied at the bottom to switch it up a bit.
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This suit is perfect for the 4th!  I love Boden suits - they are really well made and they come in long torso for us tall gals :)  The cut and pattern of this one is super flattering too!
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This is one of my fave dresses this summer.  Super comfy and so adorable!  Also - it has pockets!!  Love it paired with these chunky red earrings.  For local friends - I got the earrings at Cream Boutique and the dress at La Mer Clothing & Goods!  Also linking below to buy online.
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This top is really cute, but short!  I typically pair it with a cami underneath, but it also looks cute with high-waisted shorts.  Keep in mind you might show a little belly with this - not sure I can pull that off at 40 years old with 3 kids!!  But it's a really fun top.
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I love throwing on a bright scarf to be festive!  This top is from another local boutique: Elizabeth Boutique.  Linking below to buy it online.
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How fun are these earrings for the 4th!!??  I just heard about this great online boutique for earrings and I've already bought 3 different pairs and want to try more!!  Here's a link to these earrings and they're only $10!!: https://maesandco.com/collections/featured/products/american-flag-earrings-1 
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I also love these towels!  We have them up at the Lake and they are fun for the whole summer.
This is another great Amazon find.  There are  lot of different colors and patterns and it's under $20!!  I would definitely size-up in this one...
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Hope you enjoy your 4th! Fingers crossed for good weather!!
1 Comment

Target Try-on Sesh: Summer dresses

6/7/2019

1 Comment

 
Stopped in at Target this week after work one day and tried on some fun summer dresses (plus a jumpsuit and a bathing suit!).  There are a lot of really cute patterns for summer - lots of florals, which I love!  Click the pictures below to shop.  As a reminder - I use affiliate links, which means a get a small commission whenever you buy anything.  Thanks for supporting me!  Happy shopping!

Leopard Print

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Ok, so this one isn't technically a dress, but it's so cute!  I'd definitely size up, b/c the skirt runs a bit small, although it is supposed to sit a bit high up on your waist.  I also tried it on with a red halter which looks cute too - love a pop pf color with leopard print.  

This tank is also really versatile.  Pretty flowy and would cute untucked or event with a pair of jean shorts!

Blue floral

I loved this one!  The pattern drew me in right away.  Love the bright blue and it's really flowy and comfy!  Perfect for a hot summer day.
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Tropical!

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I loved this tropical print - reminds me of being on vacation.  This is a really cute simple summer dress perfect for a summer date or a trip to a winery!  Would also work really well on vacation on a beach somewhere :) 

Black Foral

This fabric is a little stiffer than I'd like and is definitely a bit dressed up.  It would be a really cute option for work.  You could even pair it with a cute blazer, or dress it down with a jean jacket.  
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Black & White Maxi

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I love this one!  I'm always a huge fan of a maxi and this one is super comfy and adorable!  I love the black and white patchwork design too.  Also - the top is smocked, which I love!  It comes in a bunch of other colors too...I tried on another one below...

Lavender Floral Dress

This dress is SO fun!  It has built in bra cups, which is so nice - no need to wear a bra with this one.  I saw that there's a black version online and that looks adorable too.  I feel like this color washes me out a bit,  and would love to see what the black one looks like.  But overall - the shape of this is super flirty and fun and I love the floral pattern.
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Jumpsuit

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I'm not usually a fan of jumpsuits on me.  This one is cute, but a bit too low cut for me.  It has a pretty deep v-neck, but I think it would look adorable with a little bralette peeking through (like this one, which is one of my faves!).  This pic also doesn't really do it justice - it's really cute and flowy.  Keep in mind that it has a really low back too.  I think it would look really great on someone with a smaller chest!  But it's also great for tall girls too, b/c it's supposed to be cropped.  Definitely a good option for those of you that have been wanting to try a jumpsuit, but haven't done it yet!  Linking a couple of other cute ones without the deep v- neck below as well!

Blue & White Maxi

Here's another pattern of the black & white maxi above.  How cute it this!  I love the tie detail at the top and it's so effortless.  Perfect for a polished look on a hot day!  My friend Phoebe wore this last weekend and I fell in love with it!
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Bathing suit

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I saw this as I was walking by the swimsuit section and it totally caught my eye.  I absolutely love the color and the palm and floral print is adorable!  I love a deep v-neck in a bathing suit and this one is really comfortable and it has boning in the v-neck, so it stays put - which is important!  I also really like that it has the look of a halter, but the ease of straps!  Definitely a fun option for summer days at the beach/pool/lake!
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Summer Capsule Wardrobe

6/1/2019

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​Summer Capsule Wardrobe
The unofficial start of Summer is finally here and I’m SO psyched! Summer is my favorite season - give me hot weather every day of the week!

Anyway, I wanted to share a capsule wardrobe for Summer. “What the heck is a capsule wardrobe”, you say? It’s a set of basic pieces that work together that you can add more trendy items to. A capsule wardrobe allows you to invest in some essential pieces that should last a long time. Here are my picks for this season (click on the images to buy - affiliate links used):
Enjoy and Happy Summer!!
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Press-on Nails Review!

5/17/2019

1 Comment

 
So, I saw these at the store the other day and they were SO cute!  I've seen other bloggers loving them, so I thought I'd give them a whirl.  They remind me of Lee press-on nails!!  I seriously loved those things when I was little, but press-on nails have come a long way since then!!

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I usually like painting my own nails - it's kind of relaxing to me at the end of the night.  Love binging on crappy reality TV (hello Real Housewives!) while I do my nails.  But don't get me wrong, I love a professional manicure too!  Sometimes I feel like it gets to be a chore though, so I like to do it when I have enough time to enjoy it (and I like to add on a 10 minute chair massage too! ).  Pedicures are a completely different ballgame for me!  I absolutely hate doing my own toes, so I leave that up to the experts!  Plus, I love the massage chair.  Pedicures are definitely a treat for me!

Anyway, like everyone else, I'm busy and I really like the idea of using press-on nails in a pinch if you don't have time to get a manicure or do your own nails.  They're also pretty affordable compared to a manicure and I wanted to see how easy they were to put on and how long they lasted!

Here's what they come with - a prep pad and a tool to help with removal.  I actually didn't use either!  But I know the prep is the most important part.  If your nails have polish or lotion on them, the glue won't stick!  So, I made sure to wash my hands first and used acetone to completely remove all the existing polish on my nails.
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Then, they give you this handy guide on sizing for each nail.  They say to size down if you're in b/w sizes.  It was helpful to lay them all out before attaching.  I decided to go with 2 accent nails instead of my typical 1, which was fun!  I really liked the pattern - the marble is so pretty and I love some sparkle too!
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They were SUPER easy to put on.  They say to leave the thumbs for last, and of course I started with one of the thumbs!  But it was still really easy.  You remove the backing and line it up with the bottom of your nail bed and just press hard for a few seconds.  SO easy.  The nice thing about these, is you can cut and file them down to whatever size you like, particularly if you have short nail beds.  I really like the length on mine, so I didn't do anything until the last couple of days I had them on - I trimmed them then to see how easy it was, and it worked great.  

Overall, I really liked them and they lasted a LONG time.  I took them off after 10 days, but they were already starting to pull up a bit at the bottoms.  I'd say they're perfect for a week, but you can definitely stretch it if you need to.  The only negative, is that your hair sometimes gets caught in the nail if you run your hands through your hair.  Not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind!

I'm psyched I tried these and will definitely be using them again.  
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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

5/3/2019

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Mother's Day is right around the corner, so I thought I'd share some gift ideas!  Here are some things on my wish list and things that I think my Mom would like too :)  I hope all the mamas out there have a wonderful Mother's Day and get spoiled rotten!

Ever Makeup - Out the Door Palette

If you saw my makeup tutorial, you know how easy it is to use this and how much of a dramatic difference it makes!  I'm so obsessed with it and love that it's all in one, so it's so easy when I travel.  Here's a link to purchase:
https://www.everskin.com/with/meghanmcalpine/products/4041-out-the-door-palette?style=6075
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Amazon Earrings!

Here are a few of my faves. These are the best b/c they're super affordable and such a fun gift to get.  It's always great to jazz up a neutral outfit with some fun earrings.

Animal Print Clutch

I love these! If you're local, there may still be some left at Haven Boutique in Poughkeepsie, otherwise, I've found the ones below. I have the leopard print one. It's super lightweight, which is perfect for a night out!

Hairdryer/Styling Tool

Guys - this thing is amazing!  It's SO easy to use and it feels like I just came from the salon every time I use it.  Makes my hair really smooth with a soft curl at the end.  Really great 2 in one product b/c it drys your hair as you style it.  Highly recommend!

Sunnies!

Who doesn't love a new pair of sunglasses??  Here are links to some of my faves!

Fun Summer Outfit

I love this outfit!  This dress comes in so many colors and is under $25!  This bag is so fun too, and surprisingly holds a lot!  This bag will be my summer staple for sure!
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Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!!
Note:
​The links above are all affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy anything from the links.  Happy shopping and I appreciate your support!
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