June Fashion Challenge

Have you checked out my results from my May Fashion Challenge yet?  When you're done, be sure to pop on over there to see how I did for my first month!

For those of you new to my fashion challenge, here's the rules:

1. I cannot spend more than $100 on any given outfit in its entirety.
2. I can use no more than ONE item already in my closet, including jewelry.
3. All items in the photo must be represented, although I can make minor substitutions based on availability of items and/or personal style.
4. I have until the last day of the month to make my purchases. 

This is my inspiration photo for June.

This month I'm doing my challenge a little differently by trying to budget out the individual items so that I reach my $100 goal.  It will be fun to compare how close I came to guessing how much I could spend for each item.  The look consists of:

1. Turquoise Tank Top: $18
2. White Jeans: $20
3. Taupe Sandals: $15
4. White Straw Bag: $15
5. Gold Bangles: $5
6. Taupe Sunglasses: $6
7. Charm Bracelet: $10
8. Nautical Inspired Pearl Studs: $9
9. Orange Nail Polish: $2

Wish me luck!

How to Reuse False Lashes

It’s perfectly ok to reuse false lashes (ONLY ON YOURSELF, NEVER REUSE LASHES THAT HAVE BEEN WORN BY ANOTHER PERSON- AVOID CONTAGIOUS DISEASES PLEASE!) to get the most bang for your buck.  Especially if you’re using high end brands.  Watch as I show you how to remove your lashes properly, clean them, and then store them so they’re good as new for the next round!

May Fashion Challenge Results!

Back on May 3rd I posted about my monthly challenge I've set up for myself to start incorporating new items into my wardrobe that will give me fashionable outfits to wear as a bit of a self esteem boost.  Here's the outfit I set out to create for May. 

The look consists of dark skinny jeans, a nude blazer, nude patent leather ballet flats, skinny bangles, large pearl earring studs, and a flowy neutral floral tank top.  This outfit is totally "me".  It's got soft feminine touches but still remains casual, and the neutral color palette means that the colors will mix and match perfectly with other items in my wardrobe already and to come.

Here's what I came up with on my budget of $100 and a day at the mall with my four year old.

While I was able to purchase all the items on my list, I didn't find everything I was looking for exactly.  The blazer and tank top were much harder to find than I expected. I ended up having to settle for an off-white blazer and a floral cotton tank with bright pink roses on it.  I do think I'll still get a lot of use out of those two items, as the tank is more casual than the inspiration top and I can dress it up with the blazer or dress it down with just the jeans.  The off-white blazer I wore recently for a photoshoot for some glam headshots, and it's a versatile staple for my closet.  I have blazers in every other neutral shade except for off-white!  The ballet flats I was able to nail though.  They look exactly like the photo and were a steal at only $16.99!

Jeans:  Celebrity Pink Jeans brand, purchased at Macy's for $29.50
Blazer:  Forever 21 for $29.50
Ballet Flats:  Lower East Side brand, purchased at Payless Shoes for $16.99
Bangles:  H & M for $5.95
Earrings:  My own
Tank Top:  Forever 21 for $8.80
Total Spent: $90.74

I think the biggest issue was finding the right blush tones for the blazer and tank top in the middle of May, when all the soft spring clothes had already been out for months here in Virginia.  The stores were filled with bright colors and patterns for the summer in more versatile fabrics than chiffon.

How do you think I did for my first month?

Product Review- The Balm What's Your Type Mascara

The Balm What's Your Type Mascara in "The Body Builder"

From the Brand:

Let this "body builder" show you how to pump up your lashes and give them the lift they need. Formulated with Vitamin E, Panthenol and Bamboo, this mascara strengthens and conditions your lashes so they are always amped. Push the limits of your lashes by layering an extra coat to take your volume to the max.

 

Retails for: $19

Where to Buy: TheBalm.com

 

My Thoughts:

I got this mascara when The Balm launched its new website back in April, and they were offering everything at 50% off.  I'd never tried the brand before but heard a lot of amazing things about them.  I purchased concealer, foundation, an eyeshadow palette, and this mascara so that I could try a variety of items.  The What's Your Type Mascara was definitely the highlight of my mini haul.  I'm not sure that I'd purchase it again for $19, since I have my favorite drugstore mascaras that give me just as good results as this one, but it was very good for a high end product.  It did give me a lot of volume, the brush easily separates the lashes, and it didn't dry out and flake off my lashes by the end of the day.

 

Close up of the mascara wand

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products.  All the opinions expressed in this article are my own.  These items were purchased with my own money.