April Favorites

April was such a busy month, but I was so proud of myself for actually making notes in my phone of what my "favorites" were all month long!

It gets kind of random, but I hope y'all enjoy :)

Mediterranean Lemon Gentle Foaming Hand Soap

 

I picked this soap up at the last semi-annual sale that Bath & Body Works had and I'm currently using it in our guest bathroom.

The smell is so fresh and clean, it doesn't leave any film on your hands, & the bottle is actually pleasing to the eye!

Essie: In The Cab-Ana

I used this polish as my first pedi of the summer, the color is perfect!

Honestly, I may wear it on my toes for my big day-the perfect "something blue"!

It's a great one-coater too, so it's easy to use :)

Lilly Pulitzer Travel Mug: Lobstah Roll

 

During the month of April, I had several early mornings for my practicum and I couldn't have made it without coffee.

April was also kind of a dreary month in Alabama because we got tons of rain.

This gorgeous Lilly print brightened up my month & combined with the caffeine-helped me survive all those kiddos! 

Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream

 

I just found this product this month, in fact it was a sample size & I was so sad when I ran out so quickly!

So, what did I do? Ran to Target immediately to pick some up, of course!

It goes on so smoothly and is so light.

It'll be my go-to for the summer for sure.

Black Multi-Strap Chacos

 

I bought these Chacos last summer and loved them, so when I had to put them up for the winter I was so upset!

Pulling them out this month was the best feeling ever.

They're the most comfortable shoes in the whole wide world and they look great with everything from Norts & oversized tees to skinny jeans & casual tops.

Favorite TV Shows:

   

Netflix has been life during the month of April, especially as a break during studying for finals.

And now that finals are over, I've certainly been binging my fair share.

Scandal is so addictive! I burned through all of the episodes on Netflix and I want to catch up so badly, but they don't have all of season four on Hulu-if anyone knows where I can watch episode one of that season, let me know!

Gilmore Girls is a classic in my book, so when it came on Netflix I was so excited!

I've spent many a night watching the Girls and it's just a feel-good show, perfect for winding down before bed :)

Favorite Date-Night: Auburn, Alabama

Acre

The first part of our make-up Valentine's Day date was a trip to Acre.

It was delicious y'all.

We had the pimento cheese and smoked paprika pita chips as our starter-yummm.

For dinner we both had Grilled Hereford Beef Tenderloin and there aren't enough words that say delicious in my vocab to describe how great it was.

I highly recommend going there if you're ever in Auburn, it's worth the whole experience!

Steel City Pops

   

Auburn is the home to the new Steel City Pops (which originated in Birmingham!)

They have the most delicious hand-made Popsicles, so C and I headed down town.

Past all of our old haunts; Sky Bar, The Vault, Bourbon Street, down to the tiny little store front that's across from Toomer's Corner Drugstore.

I got a lemon and he got a peanut butter and they were totally worth walking past all of those college kids feeling like a total has-been (even if I'm still a year away from graduating myself!)

There are several locations in Alabama and a few in Texas, so check out the website and get one!

Favorite Articles:

If Disney Princesses Had Snapchat

  

I've shared several Disney Princess articles before, but this one is perfect.

If you're looking to giggle during a study break check this out, it's too accurate.

7 Ways Menus Make You Spend   

If you frequent restaurants like I love to do, then you know that restaurants have their tricks to make you pay.

Plus, the reasons behind placement and all that, it's really an interesting read!

Favorite Songs:

Sangria by Blake Shelton

Ever since I heard this song on XM for the first time I knew it was going to be one of my favorite summer songs.

It's so different than a lot of the songs Blake has put out lately, but I love how smooth it is.

It's really pleasant to the ears, if ya know what I mean :)

Changed by Brittany Marie

 

I first found out about this song on one of my favorite blogs The Tennessee Life 

when she interviewed her.

The song is so strong and confident, much like the interview showed how strong and confident Brittany is. Y'all be looking for her, she's up and coming for sure!

Well that's all for this month y'all, I hope y'all enjoyed my random assortment :)

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

 

 

Wedding Wednesday: Thank-You Notes

My whole life I've loved stationary, & pretty paper just adds a little something extra.

After having two bridal showers I've had to write my fair share of thank-you notes.

It's practically a southern tradition to write thank-you notes after every occasion, whether it be wedding gifts, Christmas presents, or even just when someone does something thoughtful for you.

So I thought I would give y'all some of my favorite places to buy thank-you notes from on today's version of Wedding Wednesday.

 

Sure you could go to Wal-Mart or Target and save a few dollars, but these people have gone out of their way to do something really nice for you so the least you can do is put some effort into thanking them!

The first option is from Carolina Clover (they have tons of other cute stuff as well!) and I love these because you can customize the letter and name on the front so it's perfect for new couples! The lavender color is gorgeous and would be so pretty if that was your wedding color.

The second option with the double hearts is from Minted (which is where our invitations came from!) The double hearts are so cute & how adorable are the initials because those are mine and C's as well! The name at the bottom can be personalized also.

The single initial option is from a sweet little Etsy boutique called WPStationery.

These flourish initials are so pretty and once again, can be customized to the color of the initial, the color of the paper, and even the envelopes!

Plus, I love supporting small businesses :)

 The black option is one of my favorites simply because it's got the new married name on it...and I love everything personalized! It's from Wedding Paper Divas and if you don't like this particular card, they have others that might suit you and your special day!

The last one is my absolute favorite and it's from Sugar Paper, in fact I love it so much that I'm probably going to have to grab some to send to our sweet guests!

The kraft paper is so rustic and the gilded lettering matches the foil on our wedding invitations perfectly.

Sugar Paper is such high quality-I'm sure you or I won't be disappointed.

I hope you loved this little wrap-up for Wedding Wednesday, especially since I've neglected my Wedding Belles series here lately (because I've been planning my wedding!) but I'm coming down the home-stretch, Kentucky Derby reference...anyone?

I've only got 31 days until my big day!

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

What's in my Purse?

Hey y'all!

Today I'm going to talk about what's in my purse...but not just any purse, 

we're going to talk about my going out clutch!

I'm helping my sisters & bridesmaids plan my bachelorette party which is coming up pretty soon & so these are the things I would stick in my clutch for a night out with my girls!

 

First of all, this adorable bag is from Marley Lilly  & for five more hours from the time I put this post up, you'll be able to snag these clutches from $20-25 which is a steal considering I use mine all the time.

In it, I put my card holder (Kate Spade!) because I need to contain my cards and cash.

Plus, isn't this just too cute?

Baby Lips to add just a little softness and color. . .

and of course, the girly essentials-Carefree acti-fresh liners & Tic Tacs.

Because even if you don't need either one, I guarantee there will be one girl that does!

I hope y'all enjoyed this little peek inside my clutch!

Until next time. . . 

xoxo, 

Finals Survival Guide

Hey y'all!

My last final is tomorrow, but I know several other schools have theirs in the next few weeks.

I just wanted to share with y'all some of the things that I have to have to get through the weeks leading up to finals & then that last push!

1) Colorful school supplies: It's so important to have supplies that are fun and make you excited to use them. Notebooks & fun pens/pencils for note taking (& a pouch to organize them all), calculators for working equations, and of course highlighters to highlight those notes and textbooks are musts!

2) Camelbak: Staying hydrated is important all year round, but especially during finals week. It's hard to get the right amount of sleep, but you'll beat the under-eye circles and keep your skin nourished if you drink lots of water (add lemon, mint, or strawberries if it's not great plain!)

3) Planner: A planner is essential to success in school, in my humble opinion. But during finals week it can be the difference between sanity and a padded cell. I keep all of my due dates & dates/times of my finals organized in my weekly & monthly views. I also utilize the empty pages in the back of the planner to keep running lists of all of the tasks that I have to accomplish.

4) Ear Buds: If you're studying in the library, on the quad, in an apartment with several roommates, or in the local Starbs you probably need ear buds. These from Lilly Pulitzer are adorable and they're perfect for listening to podcasts, videos, or even just your Spotify playlist.

5) Laptop: A laptop is pretty much essential for me when I study because most of my classes are linked to online through BlackBoard. I keep all of my files organized on here & I even have some books on my laptop. (important when picking a laptop-make sure it has a long battery life!)

6) DropTime App: If you've never heard of this app, do you even study? This app lets you work for 25 minutes & then you take a 5 minute break. It's scientifically proven that short breaks allow you to be more productive, so I utilize this every single time I crack the books. 

7) Iced Caramel Macchiato: It's finals week...so treat yo'self! Plus, the coffee in this drink will keep you awake for those all nighters :)

I hope this helped y'all out & gave you some help to get through these weeks ahead!

Good luck on your finals. . .

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

Happy Earth Day!

Y'all, finals week has been killing me.

I have had projects, papers, presentations, teaching demonstrations, etc. & I have not been able to be on the blog at all.

But in honor of Earth Day

 (& in honor of the fact that I have one last final on Friday and then I'll be done for the semester)

I wanted to jump back on the regular blogging schedule & bring y'all a review of one of my newest favorite products.

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Wipes

When Influenster sent me this product they told me they wanted me to switch to only these wipes for three days. . .

No other water on my face, just these wipes.

I was a little reluctant, but I do want to conserve water, so I thought I'd give it a go.

There are just a few things you can tell from these two pictures 1) I wear too much makeup & 2) This product really works.

I love Neutrogena & these wipes are even better than the ones I was using from them previously.

They have a scent that reminds me of green apples, but I don't know if they're scented because the product doesn't say that (so I'm guessing I just think they smell that good, haha)

I highly recommend you pick these up next time you're at Target or wherever, they're a great addition to your bathroom essentials & even better to take on a trip.

Plus, they help conserve water :)

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

 A big thank you to Neutrogena (via Influenster) for providing me with product in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting brands who support The Southern Stylista!

Empties

At the start of 2015, I decided that instead of wasting tons of money on new products to try

I wanted to use up more of my giant stash.

I don't know about y'all, but I have SO many products (shampoo, shower gel, lotion, makeup) that I put to the side when I get a new product to try.

The closet in the bathroom and the cabinet under my sink are ridiculous.

I've made a dent in some of my products, so today I'm going to share with y'all the things I've finished up and my thoughts about them.

I'll also be brutally honest about whether or not they're on my repurchasing list (for when I finally allow myself to buy some new stuff!)

Hemp Moisturizer/Conditioner/Cetaphil/Shampoo/Puff's Soft Pack/Tutti Frutti Shower Gel/Pond's Wipes/Maybelline Dream Pure BB/Covergirl Clean Foundation/Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer


Hemp Moisturizer:
I bought this stuff before I could get my hands on the real Hemp's lotion & it's a great dupe.
It's by Malibu Tan & so it's formulated to use after sun, so I lather myself up in it after the tanning bed!
If I didn't have a half bottle of the real Hemp's stuff I probably would consider purchasing this again :)

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Conditioner:
This conditioner does it's job, it makes my hair soft like it's supposed to.
That being sad, I don't think that I'll be repurchasing it simply for the fact that I have several others to use up! But for the price, it does a pretty good job!

Cetaphil:
I love this stuff. This seems to be everyone's go-to cleanser & I love using it on a nightly basis because it doesn't dry my skin out but does keep it pretty clear.

Dove Intense Repair Shampoo:
This is such a great Target/Wal-Mart/Drugstore shampoo. I've used several types of shampoos in the past & this one is the best. It really keeps my hair from drying out & breaking which is so important because I use my flat-iron on a daily basis.

Puff's Soft Pack Tissues:
These tissues came in the cutest package, but this couldn't help the fact that they were not soft at all (only the pack was!)
They really made my nose raw, so I won't be purchasing these again.

Tutti Frutti Shower Gel:
I received this as a 21st birthday present & this really took a longgg time to use up, which is great!
The smell is amazing and how cute is the packaging?

Pond's Makeup Remover Wipes:
 Okay, I confess. I bought these because they were a little bit cheaper than the Neutrogena wipes that I swear by.
But I hate the consistency of them! They're so soapy, I just don't like that on my face.
I won't be repurchasing.

Maybelline Pure Dream BB:
I got this as a sample in a Cosmo magazine & just got a chance to try it.
Y'all, I am a BB believer & you best bet that I will be purchasing this as soon as I can get to Target.

Covergirl Clean Foundation:
This is the foundation that I mention on the blog from time to time, I've been using it since the beginning of time.
 But I think I'm ready to graduate to a big girl foundation, so if  y'all have any favorites, please share them in the comments below!

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer:
I had stopped using this for a while & rediscovered it in my makeup drawer & decided to finish using it up. Well, y'all-I fell in love with it all over again. My makeup stayed on for the full day without touch-ups when I wore it.
So, when I finished it up I went straight to the store and bought a new one!


I hope y'all enjoyed this little roundup of everything I've used up & I hope it helps you find products that you may fall in love with too!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,

March Favorites

March absolutely flew by, it might have something to do with the fact that my wedding is less than 60 days away or the fact that I've only got just a few weeks of school left.

Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I did come up with a few favorites to share with y'all.

Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade

 

 If there was a taste that is decidedly Spring, it's this frosted lemonade.

It tastes like you're drinking lemon pie filling in a cup, seriously.

Go to your nearest Chick-Fil-A & pick one up, you can thank me later.

Lilly for Target Lookbook

 

picture via

 

Are you counting down the days until the Lilly for Target line is released?

I know I am!

Not only are the colors amazing and perfectly Lilly, but there are so many great home items & even plus sizes...and Essie/Lilly nail polishes!

A Dog, His Bear, & the Kiddie Pool

 

If you only have a few seconds to watch one video, watch this one.

It can make a bad day good, because this is the most "awwww!" video ever!

How Ballet Dancers Prepare Their Pointe Shoes 

I had several friends growing up that danced ballet, some still do at the college level.

This level of dedication is so serious, the drive that it takes is incredible.

And is there anything more beautiful than a dedicated dancer?

My favorite beauty products of the month are Tease perfume by Victoria Secret (I'm still holding onto my samples from there!) & my Yes to Carrots moisturizer, which is the only thing keeping my skin hydrated now that I've started going to the tanning bed to prep for the wedding.

Song Faves:

 Diamond Rings & Old Bar Stools: Tim McGraw

Tim has long been one of my favorite country artists and although he has drifted over to the modern side before (anyone remember him circa Nelly, over & over again?) this song is so traditional it makes me want to squeal!

I Got The Boy-Jana Kramer

I've loved Jana since she first came onto the country scene, even when she was engaged to Brantley...I still loved her (& that was hard, let me tell ya)

This song is so bittersweet, perfect for those of y'all that are in a position that lots of twenty-somethings are, the boy you loved has turned into the man that is marrying someone else.

I hope y'all enjoyed my picks from last month, I know it wasn't a lot but I didn't have time to stop and love a whole bunch of things & my wardrobe was pretty lame-the name of my game is comfort!

Make sure to follow me over on Instagram at SouthernStylista and on tumblr as well!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,