01. gh0stparties. Many of you probably know gh0stparies, or Kate, from her lovely YouTube channel. But, if I'm being honest, I think I like her Instagram even more. Not only does she share lovely pictures of her makeup-- both on and off of her face-- she shares pictures of her home. Little knick knacks, storage solutions and her office space provide me with such inspiration for my own space-- plus they are simply pretty to look at!

02. kaelahbee. Kaelah, who over at The Clueless Girl's Guide is the queen of blogging in my opinion, also holds the crown for queen of Instagramming. She shares gorgeous pictures of her home (can you sense a theme here?), but also of her adorable family, cute outfits of the day and creations she designs for her business. This one's inspiring in more ways than one.

03. sleeinthegardn. Another one you might be familiar with-- if you're a fan of Pretty Little Liars, that is. Troian Bellisario, who plays lead 'A' investigator Spencer Hastings on the teen drama, is the owner of this magnificent Instagram account. If you're a fan of the show, you're in luck! She shares plenty of pictures from behind the scenes. But even if you're not a fan, you should give this one a follow for the photography, literature and hobbies she shares. 

04. heyclaire. One. If you do not follow HeyClaire on YouTube, go do so now. Then go follow her on Instagram and live vicariously through her as she wears amazing cloths, does fun things and is generally the best ever.

05. klp_studios. Krista is a young photographer from NYC who I was lucky enough to go to high school with. It has been so amazing to watch her business (and her!) grow. She is so talented-- seriously, her photography is stunning and her passion is inspiring. From weddings to fashion to portraits, every photo she takes has a special something.

06. freewheelburnin. I'll tell you exactly why I follow this Instagrammer-- gorgeous pictures of my second home of Southern Illinois. You'll find some other subjects on this accounts (sports memorabilia, personal pictures) but you will stay for the incredible photos of the midwest. If you are a fan of abandoned farmhouses, this is especially the one for you.

After doing away with beauty subscription services for quite a while, I decided that I would hop back on the Ipsy train. For those who don't know, Ipsy is a subscription service where, for $10 a month, you receive a makeup bag full of 4-5 deluxe samples or full-sized beauty products. It's a great way to try out new products and build up your collection.

There are a few variations on the bag that gets sent out each month, but they all follow one theme: Sensationally Sunkissed. Here is what I received in my bag:

bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow: I was initially disappointed with this product-- it is quite a small sample and is the darkest shade they have. However, it doesn't take much product to achieve great results and, if you work quickly, the dark color can be sheered out to give a nice appearance on the lids. It can also be applied very opaque without much product, which does make me want to try out on closer to my own skin tone. You can get free shipping on any bareMinerals purchase at ULTA.com by entering IPSYBAREFS at checkout through 08/10.

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08: This is a product I was initially disappointed in and stayed disappointed in. I'm just not a fan of tanning oils, as I think there are much safer ways to acquire a tan. Take 25% off of one Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08 at hangtensunscreen.com by entering IPSYtan at checkout through 08/31.

Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm in Pretty in Pink: Another quite small sample, but a little goes a long way. This a bright pink and it only takes one swipe to get a bold payoff. Very moisturizing, as well. Take 25% off of your order at pixibeauty.com by using the code flawlesspixi at checkout through 08/31.

POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer: I'm a fan of matte bronzers, and this one is quite shimmery. Add another one to the "meh" pile. But after swatching it I noticed that, although it wasn't a very pigmented bronzer, it had a lovely golden glow to it. I think it will make a lovely highlight for those days I want a beachy glow. Receive 25% off of your purchase at popbeauty.co.uk by entering the code POPIPSY at checkout through 08/31.

HealthySexyHair Soy Renewal Beach Spray: I was already a huge fan of this brand before I was sent this product. Their Soy Renewal Oil is an absolute dream that I would recommend to anyone with thick hair and their hairspray keeps your hair looking good-- and still soft-- all day. So I had high hopes for this product-- and I wasn't disappointed. It is another product that will definitely give you that beachy goddess look without making your hair too dry or damaged. Text IPSTER to 33233 and provide your e-mail address to receive 25% off of your purchase at sexyhair.com through 08/31.

Overall I wasn't thrilled with this bag, but I was pleased enough to stick with it for another month. If you're interested in giving Ipsy a go, you can sign up here!

What summer products are you go-to's?

This post contains a referral link for Ipsy. Offers provided with Ipsy products are only valid in the US.

SIPPING... a nice cold glass of water flavored with Black Cherry MiO Energy. I'm making an effort to drink more water, and this caffeinated enhancer helps give me a little boost when I need it.

WATCHING... Pretty Little Liars, Chasing Life and Young & Hungry. What can I say? These are my summer television loves at the moment.

LISTENING... to the songs of my youth, also known as My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte and Fall Out Boy. Throw in some Paramore, too.

READING... A Little Opulent. I have become enamored with this blog. It constantly inspires me and motivates me... Although that may not always show. It will, eventually. I promise.

WANTING... the cool weather to return. Heat, humidity and thick hair do not friends make.

LOVING... all of the super adorable shoes on ModCloth, like this pair of Clever So Sweet flats shaped like little foxes!

WEARING... this owl print pocket tee from SimplyBe. It's comfortable and cute and covered in owls. How can I not love it? Who wouldn't love it? (Get it? Who? Owls? Okay, sorry.)

WAITING... for back-to-school items to be back on the shelves. Pens and notebooks and planners... oh my! And many stores will be coming out with some interesting dorm decor-- perfect for someone redoing their bedroom. Or, of course, moving into a dorm.



Thanks must go to Kitty And Buck, a blog that gets many likes on Bloglovin' from me, for inspiring this post and its format.

Over at Two Thirds Hazel, Erin has thought up another installment of the Blogmopolitan quiz for all of us bloggers. It is a great way to get to know the bloggers you follow and, if you go here, you can see all of the other wonderful bloggers who have taken this quiz and find some new ones to follow! Or you can just be nosy and read their answers. That's sort of acceptable, too (and definitely something I'll be doing).

A couple of years ago I joined Influenster, which describes itself as "a community of trendsetters, social media masterminds, and educated consumers who live to give opinions of products and experiences." Through them, I've received a number of VoxBoxes filled with complimentary goodies for me to try out and review.

This month I qualified for the Aveeno Positively Radiant VoxBox and received a tube of the Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector to try out. I don't have any dark spots, only acne scarring; while the two can look similar, they are caused by two different things and cannot always be treated the same. I didn't notice a big difference in my acne scars within the first two weeks of use-- however, if the the rest of this review suits your fancy I would give it a try because for the price point ($15 at most drugstores) it is one of the more affordable options.

It has a serum-like texture: thin, but certainly not runny. This allows it to sit lightly on the skin and not feel heavy under makeup or at night while you sleep. It almost seems to smooth out the skin after application and it even feels slightly moisturizing. It does have a smell, but it is not obnoxious. It smells very fresh and natural.

To give a quick round-up...

I'm going to get this one out of the way first, and apologize for ruining your makeup (if you're wearing any). This story about one dog's final day will absolutely break your heart and make you want to hug your pets tonight-- no matter how much they squirm.

Image Credit: Carol Rosetti

Artist Carol Rosetti has penned (penciled?) a colorful, beautiful series of images that remind girls and women alike that we are in control of our bodies and our minds. I can't do the series justice with my own words, so you can go read more about the series at Mic.com or go see more at Rosetti's Facebook page.


I started playing this horrible, horrible game "ironically"-- basically, I was playing it to see what all of the hype was about and then I was going to quit and make fun of it. Joke is on me, because a week later and I am officially an A-Lister with a home in Hollywood and a vacation home in Miami with an ongoing feud with that nag Willow Pape. But at least I can say I haven't spent a single dime on it, which is something right? No, it's not. I'm ashamed.

I did a bit of cleaning earlier and now I'm spending the evening on my front porch listening to the 70s radio station on Spotify. Hope you all are having a lovely day!

It is an absolutely lovely day today, so I have decided to spend it sitting on my front porch doing some working and some writing. It is 76°F with blue skies and fluffy white clouds rolling through-- seriously, I couldn't ask for a more perfect day in the middle of July. My cat LuLu is playing (or, now, having a lie down) in the front yard, birds are flying about, and a deer is even passing by on the hillside across the way.

Things had been feeling a little less than wonderful for me lately. A moment like this was a nice pick-me-up that I certainly needed. It's given me a jolt of motivation and inspiration-- well, mostly inspiration as I'm certainly not motivated enough to go inside and do any proper cleaning or anything.  I have so many post ideas that I'm excited to share with you guys and I'm just generally feeling very pleased and happy with blogging at the moment.

But even with the lovely weather and good feelings, I would still give up a kidney to be at the beach right now. We can't have it all, I guess.

One of my favorite things about summer is sitting out on my front porch with a cup of coffee beside me (or glass of unsweet tea, depending on the temperature!) and a good book in my hands. Of course, I still don't have time to read all of the books I'm interested in-- or the money-- but I've been lucky enough to read some really wonderful novels this summer. And I still have a couple I need to read. Thank goodness there is still some summer left!

1. Sharp Objects (Read) : I read Gilian Flynn's third novel, Gone Girl, in anticipation of the movie being released this fall and I really loved it. So the next time I went out, I had to buy her first two novels. Sharp Objects is the very first of those novels. It finds journalist Camille Preaker struggling with a return to her hometown to cover the abductions and murders of two young girls. While there, she must face hr tumultuous relationship with her mother and her half-sister who is less than half her age. Even though parts of it are predictable, there are still twists and turns to keep things fresh and interesting. It makes you want to keep reading, to turn each page and see where the story will go next. 4.0/5.0

2. Thirteen Reasons Why (Read) : This young adult novel is a bit love-it-or-hate-it. I'm in the half that thought it was absolutely amazing and a must read for children in middle and high school-- as well as anyone who struggled during those years. It all starts when Hannah Baker commits suicide. But that's not where it ends. Hannah has sent a box of cassette tapes to a list of people, including Clay Jensen, detailing the thirteen reasons why she decided to take her own life. You will be pleading with Hannah for her to change her mind, knowing that she didn't, while facing the harsh realities that young people have to deal with every single day. Well written and heart wrenching. 4.5/5.0

3. Fed From the Blade (Partially Read) : I'm from West Virginia and hope to become a published author someday, so it is important to read the works of other writers in my area. West Virginia is also such a beautiful area with a rich culture that goes far beyond what the rest of the country sees, so I love reading other writers' views on the area. Also, one of the editors is a professor of mine and one of the most inspiring women I have ever met. It is a book of short stories, so it can be hard to sit down and read it one sitting-- that is why I've only read bits and pieces thus far. But always try to support your local authors!

4. Seventeenth Summer (Read) : I'll admit, it has been ages since I've read this. But, at one time, it was required reading for me every summer. Originally published in 1942 (!!), it follows Angie Morrow and her summer love affair with high school stud Jack Duluth. It is sweet and innocent but still very real. I think every young girl should give this book a chance. 3.5/5.0

5. The Opposite of Loneliness (Partially Read) : You may have already read something by Marina Keegan. Her story recently made the rounds on Facebook in conjunction with the release of this book, and with her story was often her final essay written for the Yale Daily News titled "The Opposite of Loneliness." It was a beautiful essay that really touched on the idea of going out into the real world and youth and what we can do with our lives. Unfortunately, Marina died in a car crash only days after graduating from Yale. Her writing was collected and put together in this book. I have only read a couple of short stories and an essay thus far, but it does seem as though she was incredibly talented and would have certainly gone far. I'm excited to read her writing.

6. Dark Places (Unread) : There isn't much I can say about this one. I haven't read it yet! But it is another mystery from Gillian Flynn, so I'm sure I will enjoy it. It is about a girl whose family was murdered-- according to her testimony, by her brother Ben. Years later she decided to use her story for a profit, only to find herself being hunted down again. I really enjoyed both Gone Girl and Sharp Objects so I have high hopes for this one.

What books are you reading this summer? What are your favorite books of all time?

Lately I have been absolutely obsessed with the idea of renovating my house-- err, my parents' house, as I live with them. No worries, it's a working arrangement... most of the time.

So as anyone would do, I have been scouring Pinterest for inspiration. Seriously, this and that Kim Kardashian game have been taking up an embarrassing amount of my free time. But I have found some gorgeous images that have motivated me to get to work. We now have a list of everything we would like to accomplish in this little-not-so-little renovation project and we're getting started on a few of the smaller things this weekend.

But if my pins have told me anything it is this: I like white, I like wood, and I like subway tiles.

Where are the Property Brothers when I need them?

Allow me to introduce you to my precious little fur baby, LuLu Mae. While she was originally named after the always classy and sophisticated Audrey Hepburn-- her character in Breakfast at Tiffanys was named LuLu Mae before she changed her name to Holly Golightly-- she now goes by some, er, less than classy nicknames: Fluffy Butt, Stinky, and Fluffers to name a few. I guess that last one isn't so bad.



When I finished my first year at university, my previous cat Whiskers succumbed to old age. She had been my best friend since she wondered up to my family's mailbox when I was only four years old. Some say it isn't the best idea to get another pet so soon after the loss of one, but I missed the jingle of her little collar bell and just the love I always received from Whiskers, so two weeks after she passed I took a trip to the local animal shelter.


I went in with the intention of adopting an older cat (something I strongly recommend for many reasons) but the kittens are the first stop in the shelter and I had to stop in and take a look. That is when I saw this little dearie, sitting shyly in a little ball surrounded by her three very hyper brothers. Oh, my family and I thought, she seems like such a calm kitty. And she reminded us of our Whiskers, which of course stole our hearts. We adopted her instantly.


We believe she is part Norwegian Forest cat and we know she is 99% fur. Little Fluff was one of my first models when I got my new camera, and I'm sure she'll continue to be one of my best. Welieve she is part Norwegian Forest cat and we know she is 99% fur.

Likes: Food, knocking things off countertops, staring at birds, lounging.

Dislikes: Vacuum cleaners, loud cars, thunderstorms.

Tell me about your pets! LuLu is the only pet I have, but I take care of strays, birds, and squirrels in the area-- hey, what can I say? I love animals, even the non-pet kinds.

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Earlier this week I saw the trailer for the new MTV series Finding Carter. It stars Kathryn Prescott of Skins (U.K.) fame and Alexis Denisof who you may remember from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I binged watched all three of those shows-- I even ran a Buffy blog over on Tumblr for a while a few years ago (oop)-- so I am super excited to catch this show. It centers on Carter (Prescott), a young girl who finds out that her single mother is not her mother at all-- she's her kidnapper. Suddenly she's thrown into an entirely new life with her biological family, who are strangers to her. Seriously, check out the trailer.



I was able to purchase one of these super cute t-shirts from Fairness West Virginia, a local LGBT organization. I love the shirt and the meaning behind it. I can't wait for it to arrive.



Also, one of my medications has been doubled in dosage so this week has been one big snoozefest-- literally. It sounds great in theory, but it is really annoying to sleep through four (!) alarms and feel like you've wasted half of your day doing absolutely nothing. Here's to hoping my body gets used to it and I can get back to a normal sleep routine soon.

Until next time!
(I really need to get a signature, huh?)