Girls Night Make up Lessons

I have three college best friends who live in different cities. We try to get together once a month-ish in one of our cities and do something fun. We've gone to a pumpkin patch, shoe shopping, spent a day at the pool... and so on.

August was my month to host, and I invited the lovely woman who did my wedding makeup to give us some lessons. Elizabeth is so patient and talented, and she also doesn't sell any makeup. That meant we got the real scoop on what you need to splurge on (anything that touches your skin) and what you can go drugstore cheap on (lipstick, blush). She also gave us great recommendations for cheapie brushes that are as nice as expensive ones.

I made these yummy gooey white chocolate cake bars, which were good but were so sweet. Borderline too sweet. But still good!

The first thing we did was dump our our makeup bags (sorry for the blurry pics. Blame the empty drinks). Elizabeth made suggestions for what we should get rid of (eyeliner I bought in college), gave some mascaras the smell test, and made recommendations for what key items we were each missing.

Elizabeth giving us makeup tips... I'm guessing she's taking about mascara!

Each of us identified a "look" we wanted to learn how to do, and then Elizabeth walked us through it, step by step. She'd do one eye, then you had to do the other. Such a great way to learn.

In addition, we had a blast! I would definitely recommend this for any kind of birthday party or girl's night -- especially if you can find someone as wonderful as Elizabeth!! She definitely understood that a lot of us don't like to wear a lot of makeup, and was way open to that.

Am I the only one who isn't talented at applying makeup? I feel like there was a secret makeup class in high school that I never got invited to. How did you learn how to apply makeup??

Beth's Graduation

My little sister Beth graduated last weekend from Ohio University. She is a rock star... she majored in fashion merchandising and started her first "big girl" job this week at Abercrombie's corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. I am so proud of her!!

Sistas

My family. Love.

Beth and our parents

I love this picture. She was so hot and kept calling this her cape.

Gramma is so cute!!

Aunt Barb, Beth, and Andrea

My sweet baby sista

Nick (Beth's boyfriend), Beth, me, Zac, Ryan (Em's boyfriend), Emily, Andrea

This is my every day.

We still count as newlyweds, right??

Andrea was jealous she didn't have a boyfriend with her... if she did, she would have kissed him like this.

Congratulations, Beth! We're so proud of you!!

Dressing for Beth

My sweet baby younger sister is graduating from college at the beginning of June. I just don't feel like I am old enough to have my youngest sister be a real life grown-up! Mom and Dad, I can't imagine how you're feeling. Yikes!

Beth attends Ohio University where she studies fashion merchandising. She would love to be a buyer for a department store, and she'd be so good it. She is the most fashionable person I know, but she isn't so crazy that you can't steal parts of her style. Though usually I don't start wearing trends she does until a few years later.

Did you know that high wasted pants are back in style right now?? WHY?? I don't love low-rise either, but high wasted pants highlight everything about my stomach I don't want people to notice. I'm going on record today that I think it's crazy. Bets on how soon I'll buy a pair?? This is exactly what I said about leggings...

                               

Isn't she gorgeous? Sigh. She's also got about 5 inches on me...

Enough about how great my sister is. The real reason I'm writing this post is because I have no idea what to wear for her graduation. This seems like a great excuse for getting a new dress, but there's extra pressure to be super cute so her fashiony friends think I'm awesome. What? I'm the only one who thinks about stuff like that? I don't believe you.

I'm turning to my wonderful blog friends for support. Here are some dress options I've been drooling over online -- any opinions to share??

Striped dress from Anthropologie. Definitely fun for summer.

Lace dress from Banana. I could wear it with my rehearsal dinner shoes, but I would have to do about 6,000 lunges between now and June. And it might be too short, though the sleeves do balance that.

I think this might be my favorite. Aren't the bikes cool yet unexpected? This is from Eshatki.com, which personalizes the fit. Extra perk.

I can't decide if this is adorable or old-lady-ish. Thoughts? Also from Eshatki.

I think I'm leaning toward something more fun than basic, mostly because a lot of my other clothes seem basic. Are there places that I'm forgetting to look or other dresses you've seen lately? I need some fashion advice!

Zappos. Has. An. Outlet.

Ohmygoodness you guys. ZAPPOS HAS AN OUTLET STORE.

I will pause a moment to let that sink in for you.

Zappos, as in, the best place to order shoes online in the history of all time because they have free 24 hour shipping to you and free 24 hour shipping if you need to return stuff and their customer service people are the nicest people of all time.

For our Friends Day this month, we went to Louisville where my friend Katie lives. After a super yummy lunch at a local pizza place (see here for how I can eat a little bit of pizza), we headed to the Zappos outlet store. It's about 20 minutes south of downtown Louisville, and I'll tell you, it's worth the drive.

I am kicking myself for not taking any pictures of the store, but it looks like your normal shoe store. Rows and rows and rows of shoes. Anything people return to Zappos for any reason gets put here. The most expensive shoes are 50% off, but there are some as low as 70% off their retail price. They have shoes as expensive and lovely as Kate Spade, and also some that at 50% off end up being $9. 

I was looking for some new work shoes, and I struck gold. For me, shoes are quality over quantity. You definitely get what you pay for. I've learned over the years that there are certain types of shoes I need to invest in - heels being a prime example. If you get the right pair of heals made by the right designer, you can wear them all day with no problem. It's always the cheapy Target versions that make me want to cry after about an hour.

Here's my booty:

These beauties are a deep brown color. And lovely.

Black, patent leather pumps to replace the ones I wore through.
Thank you to Calvin Klein for the extra padding!

I love accent shoes. My wardrobe has a lot of greys, whites, and blacks, and fun colored shoes or jewelry can spice things up. These are gorgeous in person, and extra padded again. 

Only one downside:

I tried them on in store, and they were comfortable. But I didn't walk in them. I got home and Zac said, "Those look high." To prove him wrong I tried to walk... and looked like a fool. So these will either take extra practice, an occasion where I don't walk at all, or just to be beautiful eye candy in my closet. 

Whichever way, I don't regret them!

Hey there beauties. Mommy loves you.

Grand total for three brand name pairs of dress shoes? $90. According to the original sales price, my total should have been closer to $300, so I'll take that!

Where have you scored great shoes??

My Fashion Inspiration

I'm not very fashionable. I never have been... my younger sister Beth definitely got most of the fashion genes in the sibling pool. Every now and again I get inspired to do something to spice up my wardrobe. I most admire looks that are polished and put together. Case in point? Ms. Emma Pillsburry, from GLEE.

She is the epitome of adorable - those pictures don't even do her justice.  Here's how I dissect her look:

• Pencil skirts. Everyday.
• Cardigans. Everyday. But in a slightly altered way each time.
• Statement chunky necklaces. 
• Skinny belts.

You can buy most of Emma's cardigans from JCREW, but since I don't have $138 to spend on a cardigan, I'll have to get creative. I'll keep you posted during my Emma Pillsburry copy quest!