My 11 Must Have Beauty Products for Summer

Must Have Beauty Products for Summer by bramblewoodfashion

1) Maybelline BB Cream -- Perfect for those days you would like a light coverage with some SPF. Of course, this is the only BB Cream I've tried out, but I like it.

2) Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows -- Last all day as either a stand alone shadow, or primer for your powder eyeshadows.

3) L'oreal Paris Lip Stain -- One of the longest lasting lip glosses that I've found, even if it is on the more pricy side ($7 - $10). Just wait for a good sale and/or some coupons to help save you some money.

4) Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush -- A nice cream blush for beginners.

5) Batiste Dry Shampoo -- Adds body & lift to your hair. It also helps you go longer without washing your hair. I can't live without my dry shampoo now.

6) Maybelline the Rocket Mascara -- A great drugstore mascara. My favorite is the brown/black, since I'm not a huge black mascara fan.

7) NYC Bronzer in Sunny -- My go to product for when I would like a little more color on my cheeks, forehead, and just to contour my face in general.

8) Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day Body Spray -- My favorite scent for this summer! Of course, the name is awesome too.

9) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer -- One of the best concealer's I've tried out.

10) Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Nude -- Love to put a bit of this in my under-eye waterline to help make me look more wide awake. Works much better then just using a white eyeliner pencil.

11) Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder -- Works wonderfully with the BB Cream and concealer that I've mention, as it help you stay matte when it is hot outside.

What are your favorites for summer?

I Heard That Your Dreams Came True | Sunday Style

What I'm Wearing

Polka Dot Blouse -- c/o OASAP

Polka Dot Skirt -- Simply Chic (Merona @ Target)

Leopard Print Skinny Belt -- Forever 21

Watch -- JCP (gift)

Earrings -- BaubleBar (gift)

Crossbody -- Fossil 

Flats -- Steve Madden

Nail Polish -- Essie's Enuf is Enuf

This past Friday I went thrift store shopping with my Mom & sisters, and I found some cute things. I ended up not buying that many clothes: just two skirts & a striped tee. Of course, I also picked up some more records (I have quite the collection now), but it seems like I can never find Benny Goodmen, Judy Garland, Dean Martin's Italian albums, or some of my other favorite singers.

Anyhow, I found this adorable mustard polka dot skirt at Simply Chic (an awesome resale shop in Indianapolis filled with all the great clothing brands) for $10. I did have refashion the skirt a bit for it to rest on my waist, since I like my skirts to be high waisted now, instead of them resting on my hips. But that was only a quick 10 minute, perhaps even 5 minute fix, so it wasn't that much trouble at all to fix. I then paired the skirt with my new OASAP polka dot blouse, that is just plain adorable. All together I feel like this outfit is very Madewell or J.Crew inspired, which are some of my favorite stores to find outfit inspiration (since I can't afford their stuff, unless it is at the thrift store or on a really good sale).

Magic Moments | Fashion & Faith Link-up

::What I'm Wearing::

Floral Tank -- Forever 21

Cream Tee -- Handme-up from Gaby

Mint Pencil Skirt -- Made by Me

Bird Cage Necklace -- Forever 21

Wedges -- Payless Shoes

How y'all doing today? I've been busy catching up with blog emails (still not finished), working on my resume, editing videos, and listening to records while I work. It has been a good day, even if I'm not finished with everything -- yet.

I decided to wear my mint pencil skirt today, mostly because it makes me feel more professional and in an "I've got work done" set of mind. And also, Kmart is doing a fashion remix challenge right now where you style any pencil skirt you have. The awesome thing about this challenge is that you don't have to use anything from Kmart to enter the challenge -- which is perfect for me, since I don't own anything from there.

Of course, as the title says, I'm also linking up to Lindsey's Fashion & Faith link-up over at Ruby Girl. Y'all should check it out, as it is a new link-up (just started last week) but it looks like lots of fun. Besides, who doesn't love checking out new blogs?

Oh, yes. Today I also picked out the winner for the Shabby Apple gift card giveaway. The winner is.....Faith Grubb. Congratulations, girl!! I'll be sending you an email tonight. 

My Fashion Favorites for Spring & Summer

Source: if-i-had.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I've been thinking about sharing my fashion favorites for Spring & Summer this year. Some of my favorites are looks I don't think I could pull off personally (like the boho looks, which I adore for beach vacations and the LA area), but the others are looks that I want to copy sometime soon this summer.

Source: fashionfinder.asos.com via Ashley on Pinterest

A floral skirt, jean jacket, cowgirl boots, and blouse are one of the most perfect combination EVER!

Source: instagr.am via Ashley on Pinterest

Love this combination for the warmer months, but you just add the jean jacket for when it gets cooler at night. Perfection. 

Source: flashesofstyle.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Adorbs. Wayfarer Sunnies, sleeveless button-down, skirt, bow belt, pendant necklace, and crossbody bag are the perfect outfit combination for summer (if it fits your style that is).

Source: gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 I enjoy doing the jean on jean look in the summer.

Source: wantering.com via Ashley on Pinterest

This blouse looks really light & airy and would be perfect for those warm summer days with either some shorts, or jeans.

Source: lookbook.nu via Ashley on Pinterest

In love with this look: polka-dot skirt, peter pan collared tee, oxford flats, handbag, and a long dainty necklace. Perfect for a day of thrift shopping with friends.

Source: onesheepishgirl.blogspot.com.au via Ashley on Pinterest

I tend to enjoy wearing cute, girly, vintage-y inspired dresses more in the warmer months. They just capture the summer perfectly.

Source: cottonandkimchi.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Lace tops are amazing. They go with everything: layered over dresses, with shorts, jeans, and skirts.

Source: freepeople.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I really like this look, except I don't think I could pull this look off -- might be too boho for me. What do y'all think?

Source: gochicorgohome.com via Ashley on Pinterest

*sighs* Chambray button-down, tulle skirt, and sandals are one combination I would love to try out this year. All I need is a tulle skirt, but I'm not willing to pay a bunch of money for one.

What are your favorite fashion looks for spring & summer?

The Great British Sewing Bee | BBC TV Show

I don't know about you, but I love the shows that the BBC comes out with: Call the Midwife, Sherlock, Doctor Who, The Great British Bake Off, etc.... Recently I discovered the show, The Great British Sewing Bee on YouTube and it is the perfect sewing show. It features the history of home sewing and fashion in Britain's history -- fascinating stuff! But not only that, it also shows sewing techniques & projects and how you can do them yourself, which is handy for home sewists who would like some sewing tips while watching a television show. Oh, yes, another thing I love about The Great British Sewing Bee is the music! Gotta love listening Doris Day while watching a sewing show -- perfect for the vintage girl at heart.

If you would like to watch the show yourself, search The Great British Sewing Bee episode 1 on YouTube to find the first episode. I won't embed the episodes below, because you never know how long they will stay up. Btw, there are only four episodes.

Have fun watching! (Btw, if you follow my other blog, A Girls Home Life, this is a repeat post.)

Sunday Style | The Floral Pencil Skirt

I don't know about you, but I love a good floral pencil skirt. Only problem, I didn't own, well, until I refashioned an old floral skirt that I had lying around. I've had this linen floral maxi skirt that was shaped like a pencil skirt lying around for awhile now. One problem, the length was totally unflattering on me (it was Petites, which could have been part of the problem), so yeah, I never wore it even if I did love the print. When I was considering posting it for sale on my blog, I thought why not refashion it into a pencil skirt?!? So I did, last night at 10 o'clock. Yeah, I kinda like to do my refashioning projects late on Saturday nights. Not sure why? But, hey! Who's complaining? Not me.

Now since this was a last minute late night job, I don't have any before pictures of the skirt. This seems to be a common problem with me. I always rush head on when ever I refashion something, and never take any before pictures, only after. Hmm....I need to reform my ways. Anyhow, since I wanted to wear the skirt to church the next day, I needed some inspiration on how to style the skirt. Enter the wonderful world of Pinterest. I found the following adorable & stylish ways to wear a floral pencil skirt for spring and summer.

Cute, huh? The most common top pairings seem to be the following: gingham, chambray, stripes, or a solid color (either neutral or bright). I decided to take the chambray top as my inspiration, and just add more color with my accessories (jewelry & handbag), since my skirt is more on the muted side -- color wise.  

What I'm Wearing

Floral Pencil Skirt -- Refashioned by Me

Chambray Tunic -- JCP

Wedges -- Payless Shoes

Belt -- Target

Statement Necklace -- c/o Max & Chloe

Coral Earrings -- Target

How would you style this floral pencil skirt? Let me know in the comments below!

 

If you are looking for skirts that are cute, stylish, and reasonably priced -- perfect for the fashionista who is on a budget, be sure to check out SammyDress.com.