Empties: Buy or Bye?

Hey y'all!

I meant to put this up this weekend, but with homework for summer classes & the fact that I got stung on the eyelid by a wasp on Saturday. . .it just didn't happen!

But it's here now & I'm alive :)

Today we're talking about more of the products that I've used up.

I'm going to give you a verdict of whether I'm going to buy them again or if they're going bye-bye permanently.

Biore' Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (Sample)

This was in my Cosmo last month I think and when I was getting my face/skin in shape for the wedding, I wanted to try it out. 

I was a big fan of how clean it made my face feel without drying it out.

The Verdict: This is a BUY product! I'll be picking up a full size when I go back to Target!

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Dark Kiss

Y'all this scent is so good. 

I swear by B&BW shower gels & this one is no different.

The Verdict: This one is a BUY as well! I already picked up a couple new scents during the semi-annual sale, but this scent could be repurchased after those are used up! 

Dove Hair Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo

I bought this because my hair has tons of heat damage; split-ends, it's dry, and super brittle!

This didn't really "intensely repair" it, but it did get my hair really clean without leaving a film behind.

The scent is really good as well.

The Verdict: As long as you buy it with reasonable expectations of it not being a miracle worker-I think you'd be happy BUYing this product.  

Skintimate Raspberry Rain Shave Gel

  I've been using the same kind of shaving cream for as long as I remember.

This had a really nice creamy consistency and a good scent.

The Verdict: BUY-it does it's job and it's not very expensive. I actually picked this up at Target on sale.

Schick Hydro Silk Disposable Razors

I used to use the razor that you change the heads on, but I decided that was just way too much trouble.

Instead, I pick up whatever disposable razors are on sale and use those.

But these were actually really good, they left my legs feeling smooth & didn't cause me to miss a ton of spots. I also felt like I could use them several times before they got dull.

The Verdict: BUY-I would definitely purchase these again. I might not be loyal to any one brand, but they worked really well.  

Colgate Maxfresh Cool Mint Toothpaste
This is my go-to toothpaste.
I've been using it for years and I love it because of the gel consistency.
The Verdict: It's a BUY for sure. I'll probably be using this toothpaste until I die or until they stop making it. It's seriously that good.

Curel Rough Skin Rescue Lotion (Sample)
This was another tear-out product that I wanted to try out.
There's no sense in wasting product, even if it is for one use.
The unfortunate thing about the one-use products is that you really don't get a great feel for them.
This absorbed pretty nicely into the skin & was moisturizing.
The Verdict: Unfortunately, this wasn't a really memorable sample product.
I'll probably be sticking to my Hemps lotion for now.


This is a BYE.

 Secret Outlast Deodorant
For some reason I didn't get an individual shot of this, but this has been my go-to deodorant for a while.
I love that it keeps me fresh on the days that I bust my butt at the gym or the days when I'm out working on the farm with Christopher.
The scent is also not super overwhelming.
I don't want to be like, "BAM! I'm wearing deodorant, y'all!"

The Verdict: So, I repurchased this already. But I'm going to tell y'all a story.
I was in a hurry, so I just grabbed one at Target. When I got home it had already been used in the store!
So, that was gross. At any point I'm going to have to go buy another one.
But the moral of this story is, the deodorant is a BUY but just make sure yours isn't used before you leave the store.
 

NYX Brow Pencil

I know lots of beauty gurus swear by Anastasia brow and all that, but this little $3 pencil from Target does everything that I need.

I get the darkest shade and it fills my brows in perfectly and lasts all day.

It takes some serious scrubbing to get it off too.

The Verdict: If you're looking for a great product without spending a lot of cash, pick this up next time you're at the drugstore.

Definitely BUY.

Maybelline Fit Concealer

So I haven't had good luck with concealers in the past, but this one does exactly what I need.

It covers my redness and after setting it with a powder, it has great staying power.

The Verdict: BUY-You'll appreciate the value because it doesn't cost a lot, but gets the job done.

Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner

This was the first eyeliner I ever really fell in love with.

Yeah, I know it's from the drugstore & yeah, I know it's probably not the best.

But the pigmentation is great (it's SO dark) and I love that it's self-sharpening.

The Verdict: I would definitely buy this one if my Target still carried it (for some reason they don't).

BUY this, y'all.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes

I've bragged about these a ton on this blog.

I've tried other wipes & none have ever compared.

The Verdict: BUY, there is no substitute for these.

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

I did a full review of these here if you're interested!

These worked pretty well, I liked that they had this really light green apple scent.

They also have more natural ingredients which is great for those of us with sensitive skin.

The Verdict: For me, these are a BYE. I liked the product, but I like my other Neutrogena wipes more!

 

I hope y'all enjoyed this little post, I know that I do a lot of these Empties posts,

but I really have been trying to use up the makeup and products that I have in my linen closet &

under my sink before I purchase anymore!

I'm doing a pretty good job, I think :)

Until next time. . .

xoxo,

The Perfect Snack: Tortilla Pizza

Today was my first day back to summer classes & y'all, it kicked my butt.

The next nine class meetings (every Tuesday & Thursday) are going to be super busy, but I know it'll be worth it to get these two classes out of the way!

Today I want to share with you the little lunch I put together yesterday after hitting the gym for about two hours.

I used to make this when I was younger, but today I'm presenting it to you with more grown-up ingredients.

You can definitely change the ingredients to your tastes, but this recipe was great.
I used:
-small round tortillas
-kalamata olives
-artichoke hearts
-pepperoni
-mozzarella cheese
-cheddar cheese
-feta cheese
-homemade tomato sauce
 

To start off, I used a toaster oven (instead of heating up a whole oven, which is perfect for the summer months).
I covered the tray with aluminum foil to make cleanup a snap & then I just put my tortillas on the tray.

I used a homemade marinara sauce, which has tons of yummy things like zucchini, mushrooms, etc. in it but you can use any kind of sauce that you like!
 

It looks kind of gross, but it's the best thing ever.

I topped it with cheddar, mozzarella, and a little bit of feta cheese.

Black olives and artichoke hearts went on next.
I made sure they were cut into small pieces to make it easier to heat up.

A little spinach was torn up and added.
If you have kiddos, this is a great way to get extra greens into their diet!
 

Pepperoni of course!

Into the toaster oven on "toast" for 4 minutes!

Lookin' pretty tasty.

And the final product-it was melty and the crust was crunchy.
I absolutely loved this meal :)

I hope you try this out, I think it would be great with chicken or sausage.
You could put peppers, onions, and even tomato slices on it!

Let me know if you try it, or if not. . .then what are your favorite easy summer lunches?

xoxo, SS

 

June Favorites

Y'all, June was a whirlwind month.

Can you believe the year is already half over with?!

That's just insanity.

In the month of June I went on a week-long trip to Savannah for my honeymoon,

I turned 22 years old, 

and I started what will be my last summer classes!

(Only this summer, fall, & spring stand in my way of graduation!)

Today I want to share with you everything I've loved this month.

The list is pretty random as always, but I hope you enjoy!

 

Piko Shirts

I went shopping at the beginning of June and found these bamboo shirts at a local boutique.

They are seriously the most comfortable shirts ever!

I wear them out on dates, to lounge around in, and to class with Nike shorts.

The fabric is what's the best part-it's so soft!

You won't regret adding one or ten of these to your closet

Summer Boardwalk Candle

I have to have a new candle for every season and summer is this one.

It smells like saltwater taffy and caramel corn, which are totally the sweetest smells of summer. 

Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale

So I picked up the candle above at the semi annual sale and absolutely fell in love with all the goodies they had!

I picked up several new shower gels and two new hand lotions (I love all their new Southern style scents!)

They had great deals and I would definitely suggest checking it out online or in stores before it's over :)

Scandal

Y'all, I had been waiting so long for the latest season of Scandal to come out on Netflix.

But as soon as it was released, I watched it all in like three days.

It's seriously addictive and just that good.

And Olivia Pope-can we just talk about how hot she is?

 

Lumbersexual Instagram

I was watching Kelly & Michael the other day and they started talking about these Lumbersexual guys.

I'm all about rustic, as y'all know.

These guys are full of plaid, axes, and beards!

Check out this Insta account for your Mancandy Everyday!

 

Pita Bites Crackers in Original Sea Salt

I was in Publix the other day trying to make healthier choices while grocery shopping.

These stuck out to me and after I tried them, I was so thankful that I found them.

They are lightly salty, perfectly crispy, and they go great with everything!

They're so much healthier than potato chips too :)

O

Of course I had to pick up something to dip my Pita crackers into and this Publix Roasted Garlic hummus fit the bill!

I had never really jumped on the hummus train, but now I can really see why everyone loves it.

A serving size of this and the crackers is perfect for an afternoon gym snack!

It keeps me full and is super flavorfull :)

Essie Tops by Lilly Pulitzer

You know I couldn't get through a favorites post without talking about Lilly.
When we left for our honeymoon, I had purchased this top in the Scuba to Cuba print.
Little did I know how much I would love this top.
It's the lightest, most comfortable knit top in the world.
I can wear it casually with shorts and sandals or with a skirt and wedges.

When Chris and I went to Charleston, we had to do a little shopping on King Street of course.
A stop at Palm Avenue was on my list ;)
The girls there were so helpful & they managed to help me talk my new hubby into purchasing the Shorely Blue & Resort White tops as well.
I can assure you that these three tops were staples in my wardrobe the entire week!
(Charleston & Savannah were so hot and steamy, I needed a sleeveless knit top to survive!)

Giving it All (To You) by Haley And Michaels

My favorite song is one that we used at our wedding.
I'm going to do an in-depth post about the music we used during our wedding, but this was played during our unity ceremony.
Fortunately for me, this song is really popular on SirusXM right now so I got to hear it a ton while we were driving around on our honeymoon.
It gave me the best memories of our wedding & I still love hearing it!

Well, that's all of my favorites for the month...even if they are a little weird ;)

I hope y'all enjoyed!

What have y'all loved this month?
Let me know in the comments!

Until next time. . .
  
xoxo,

Favorite Preppy Brands

Do y'all notice anything different about the blog today?

Yesterday I finally took the plunge and purchased a domain name!
It's not my original (The Southern Stylista or Southern Stylista) but it will do for now :)

Be on the lookout for a complete redesign soon!

Today I'm sharing my favorite preppy brands with you,
these are the places that I love getting cute t-shirts, tanks, etc.
Basically, if you see me going to class or just running errands (or at the gym) I'll probably be wearing one of these brands!

Kiss My Southern Sass

If you're looking for the perfect Fourth of July tank top, KMSS is the way to go!
They have just restocked all of their tanks for the holiday & y'all, these tanks are not only the cutest, but they're so comfy!
I have like 4 of their tanks and I wear them to the gym or to the beach, basically everywhere.

If you use the code KMSSJSU at checkout, you get $1 off your purchase & if you go to their Facebook and Like & Share their most recent post, you'll be entered for a chance to win a Patriotic tank!

Simply Southern

These tees literally have the cutest designs, I love the turtle pictured!
The boutique that I linked that carries these tees also has a huge selection of other Southern brands like Southern Shirt Co., Southern Fried, and Costa.
These pair really well with Nike shorts or denim!

Palmetto Moon (the boutique I linked) is currently offering free shipping on orders over $50!

Vineyard Vines

Every day really should feel this good, because the tees from VV are SO comfortable.
I'll let you in on a secret...I shop in the men's section because I love the oversized look of their tees :)
The best thing about this company is that you can buy the tee for your bf/husband/etc. and then just "borrow" it from them ;)

Vineyard Vines is currently offering free shipping on orders over $125, which I assure you...they have so much cute stuff, it'll be easy to spend that much!


The Fraternity Collection 

I've loved this company for a long time, mostly because of their high quality and outstanding customer service.
The tees, tanks, sweatshirts, and long-sleeved tees will last for years to come & the adorable pockets come in so many styles!

The coupon code state (no capital letters!) will get you 10% off of your purchase!


Lauren James Co.

If you're looking for the world's softest shirt then enter Lauren James Co.
I first discovered them via their State Heart Tanks (which I still wear to the gym like once a week)
and now I own long-sleeve tees, oversized tees, and even koozies!
But they don't only have comfy clothes, they have the cutest shorts and dresses in the world.

Right now, they are offering free shipping for orders over $75!

I hope y'all enjoyed this little roundup of some of my favorite brands.
They are companies that I stand behind and I believe in!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,

Summer Playlist

Can y'all believe that yesterday was the first official day of summer & the longest day of the year?

I just can't wrap my head around how fast this year is flying by!

Today on the blog I wanted to share with you my favorite songs to listen to all summer long.

These are the ones I have on a playlist when I'm laying on the beach or by the pool

or even just riding around town!

They're sure to get you in the mood for a beach vacation :)

I think my all time favorite is Wagon Wheel or Rum!

Definitely check them all out, make a playlist on Spotify or something :)

What's on your summer playlist?

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

I'm Feeling Twenty-Two

As of this Saturday, I will have been twenty-two for exactly a week!

Everyone keeps saying that twenty-two isn't an exciting birthday, but I beg to differ.

Each birthday that I can celebrate, I just become happier and happier.

It becomes a little less about the presents and more about the presence of those that I love.

Today I want to share with y'all the presents that I got for my birthday, even though like I just said

it's not all about the presents :)

 

My parents gave me that super cute Southern Fried Cotton tee (that I picked out myself...you know you're getting old when that happens, lol)

as well as some EOS lip balms, a really cute bracelet found at a local boutique, and some other really cute clothes that I plan on sharing on the blog another day!

My oldest sister gave me a monogrammed clutch/bag that is in Auburn colors and will be perfect for gameday!

It even had Emmy-Jay hair-ties in it in Auburn colors, which have came in handy with this ninety degree heat we've been having lately.

My other sister is still waiting on my gift to come in or something like that ;)

And Chris, well...my husband completely out did himself.

Our day started out with him letting me sleep in (which is the best gift in itself)

Then, after dropping by my parents house to open my gifts we headed to Birmingham.

We took a trip to the Birmingham Zoo and had such a fun time being big kids.

After that, we headed to the Summit for some shopping.

Chris bought me my very first official Lilly dress (the Janice in Green Heartbreakers).

I've had the Lilly for Target dresses & tops from legit Lilly, but this was my very first dress which made it super special :)

The laptop isn't actually in my possession yet, but that was my "big gift" from Chris.

I'll be using it for school & our business this year.

We have to make another trip to B'Ham with my current Dell in order for them to swap all of my files over, so that's why I don't have it yet!

And my little gift to myself was this pallet that I picked up at Target the other day.

It's a dupe for the Naked pallets and I used it for the first time today.

The colors are super pigmented & I think I really love it :)

I hope y'all enjoyed this little "haul" type post, I just wanted to celebrate a little with y'all!

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

May Favorites

It's official, I may be the worst blogger in the history of bloggers, ever.

But let me tell y'all, recovering from a wedding and trying to get back to normal life after a honeymoon is harder than it sounds!

Plus our house is a wreck, my birthday was Saturday, and I start summer classes next week so I've been constantly running around.

Today I'm trying to play catch up and share with y'all just a few of the things I was loving last month...even though it's halfway through June.

Don't judge.

Snack

 

This isn't my picture, but I thought I took a picture of this snack that was my favorite the whole month of May, but somehow I can't find it.

Anyways.

All month long I was snacking somewhat healthy which included not having ice cream and whatnot for dessert, but having Greek yogurt with honey (from my parent's hive!) and frozen berries.

It's an inexpensive snack and tastes wayyyy better than ice cream anyways.

Book

I have read several books this summer which has been so nice, because during the school year I spend all my time doing reading for school.

This book was the perfect summer pool read.

It's basically about a girl who travels with a family to nanny their youngest son.

While traveling with the family, she meets their older son and they actually become shipwrecked on an island together.

This leads to them falling in love...and well, you'll just have to read the book for the full story!

It's a little cliche, but in a way that will kind of make you smile :)

Beauty

 

Mint EOS is heaven on your lips, just in case you were wondering.

Summer dries my lips out in a bad kind of way and so in preparation for the wedding I was exfoliating and doing everything I could for smooth lips.

EOS was the one thing I knew I could keep on me to keep my lips moisturized around the clock.

(Chris loves them too!...the lip product, not my lips...well, you get the picture)

Television Show

 

It's no secret that I love all Shonda Rhimes shows, but y'all she is awful.

Grey's Anatomy has been one of my favorites for a long time but this season finale was so, so sad.

I won't be leaving the show though, because I just have to watch the train wreck from beginning to end.

There's something that just pulls you in even though you don't want to like it.

Music

 

Girl Crush by Little Big Town

Everyone thinks this song is about lesbians.

Newsflash, it isn't.

I love the lyrics and the emotion that they convey in this song.

It's really moving and in my head, it sounds almost like a wife who's being cheated on.

Give it a listen and don't jump to conclusions just because of the title!

It Feels Good by Drake White

I first heard Drake several years ago at a Brantley Gilbert/Justin Moore concert in Auburn & he was great then.

His music has come a long way and I love the almost blue-sy vibe of this song.

There's just something about it that makes you smile and maybe even bust a move in the bathroom while singing into a hairbrush...not that I've personally done that or anything.

I hope y'all enjoyed this handful of favorites from the month of May.

I know I should've had them up a long time ago, but I hope y'all can forgive me!

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 

Bridal Portraits

Hey y'all!

I am so glad to be back on the blog today, after a very extended break :)

Honestly, I didn't mean to take that much time off.

But the days leading up to the wedding were insane & then after the wedding we headed straight to Savannah!

I'm going to do a full post about the wedding day soon & another full post about decor and all that stuff once my photographer gets all of my pictures back to me.

Then you'll have ANOTHER post of my honeymoon.

Basically you're going to be sick of wedding talk ;)

Today I just wanted to share a couple of my very favorite bridal portraits,

& let me be honest...it was so hard to pick because I loved them all!

 I was so glad that I did the portraits as well because it honestly freed up so much time during our wedding day to take bridal party pictures and more pictures together.

It was so worth it!

Stick around after the pictures for a list of what you Must-Bring to your bridal shoot :)

 

This one was my absolute favorite.

I'm not sure whether it was because it's showing off the details that made me choose my dress

(the train, the lace, and the back!)

or the fact that it is so Southern.

The curtains blowing, just everything was perfect for this picture.

It's one that will be framed for the mother's and for Chris, I'm sure!

 

This is just a great formal shot, which I love!

 

Those curtains, y'all.

 

I know I have resting bi-otch face. . . that's an issue.

But I love it.

The angle she had my arms at was great, she's a photography genius.

 

I love the green and the fence in this picture, they really make my dress pop.

She had me reach up and grab my veil and it really made my body angle beautifully.

 

I loved this one as well, it had a little sass in it :)

 

And this is just a head shot, minus the veil that I know my parents will love having.

It also shows off the ring!

That all being said...I hope y'all loved my pictures!

My photographer is what makes this happen, and she's amazing.

I literally don't know what I'm going to do now that my wedding is over & I won't be seeing her until we need Christmas pictures or (one day in the far-distant future) baby & family pictures done!

I wanted to put together a little list of what you really need to bring with you to your bridal shoot...just to help out!

-Your dress, shoes, jewelry, etc.-

This may seem like a "duh" moment, but I honestly hadn't picked out my jewelry when I had my pictures done!

Granted, Chris sent me jewelry to wear the morning of the wedding, so I'm not wearing the same stuff I did on the wedding day...but it's important to not forget!

This is also a great test drive moment for you, you'll know by the end of the shoot if your shoes are going to be a pain or if your sticky boobs just aren't sticky enough.

-Extra makeup, hairspray, & bobby pins-

I did my hair & makeup trail the same day so that I could make sure everything looked great,

but let me tell you, if you're having a summer wedding...

you're going to sweat.

Bring the extra makeup and do touch-ups right before and even during.

-Blotting Sheets-

I didn't have these and I wish I had brought them, it would've really helped me keep my face matte.

-Water-

You don't want to drink anything colored while in your dress, but especially if it's warm, you'll want to stay hydrated :)

-Insect Repellant-

I'm dreadfully allergic to all kinds of bug bites, I swell up to an abnormal level.

It's disgusting.

So, before I put my dress on I just sprayed myself like crazy with Off! with DEET and I was good to go, didn't get a single bite the whole shoot :)

I hope y'all loved my bridal portraits as much as I did and I hope my little list was helpful :)

Did you have bridal portraits taken?

If so, what did you bring with you?

If not, do you wish you had them done?

Until next time. . .

xoxo,