Big News!!!

Hey guys! I've got some very exciting news to share with you today that will hopefully also explain my short leave of absence (even though y'all are probably used to it by now, sorry bout that!)...

I've started a YouTube channel!!!

YAAAASSSSS!!!

Let me just start out by saying that YouTube is one of the most exciting/scariest ventures I've ever started...like ever! First of all, filming yourself doing anything is a little nerve racking. Filming yourself in a quiet dorm room where you just know your hallmates are listening to you talk to yourself is a whole other level. 

But...I'm a huge fan of all things YouTube and probably watch more videos than actual tv and Netflix combined, which is really saying something. Honestly, I've wanted to do this for a really long time and even made a failed attempt at a first video back in February...which was taken down due to a glitch. 

Thanks to Dani being the great friend that she is I don't think I managed to embarrass myself too badly on that one as she so kindly pointed out the glitch...which went on for like 10 minutes, not pretty.

I was inspired by another Dani...daniaustin2 to be exact...and her YouTube channel when she posted the TMI Tag video. At the end of her video she tagged those watching to do the same thing and film their own video. It looked like so much fun that I did just that.

Now, mind you its not the best quality in the world as I did just film it on my computer but to be perfectly honest I'm pretty proud of it. It took some guts...especially seeing as I may or may not sing an excerpt of a Taylor Swift song somewhere along the line. eeeep!

But I figured I would let you all know that it's out there on the world wide web if you wanna take a look...so go watch me talk about what love really is, yeap...there's some deep points right out of the gate but then there's Troyler and 5 Seconds of Summer all over the place too!

Also, I've got a lot of ideas for future videos (including one that might go up as soon as tomorrow!) but if you have any suggestions they will be greatly appreciated and you can leave your thoughts below or on the video itself which is right here:

Let me know what you think, lovelies!

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa

The Trevor Project

So, things are gonna be a little different than usual with this post but I wanted to share something that is very close to my heart and of dire importance. 

I've recently had a wonderful organization brought to my attention once again by the ever fabulous 

Mr. Tyler Oakley...that organization was The Trevor Project.

In case you don't know what that is exactly I've borrowed the words of the project itself,

ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

To me, The Trevor Project is so much more than that, its a lifeline...literally. 

The Trevor Project offers various programs ranging from the Trevor Lifeline (a 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention line) to TrevorSpace (a social media community for LGBTQ youth, their friends, and allies). 

Something that you might not know about me is that I'm a huge supporter of not only gay rights but human rights and as a human being, I feel physically ill at the thought of someone being so distraught that they feel ending their own life is the only way out. 

No one should ever feel that way, no matter their sexual orientation. 

The Trevor Project has offered help to some of my closest friends in the past and for that I am eternally grateful. So, as a way of showing my appreciation and support I joined Tyler Oakley in his birthday fundraiser on prizeo.com/tyler

So far, Tyler has managed to surpass his goal of $150,000 almost 3 times over but you know what they say...go big or go home! 

Tyler has set yet another goal of $500,000 to support The Trevor Project in their life saving endeavors.

Now that might seem like an impossible amount but here's the deal. at last check the amount raised was at $475,717!!!

That's a little less than $25,000 away from the ultimate goal. An amount that is actually less than what was raised last year for Tyler's birthday. We've done it once before, I think it's more than possible to think we can do it again.

Now, Tyler, being the kind-hearted and fun-loving YouTuber we all know him to be, has offered a selection of prizes for each donation made ranging from a postcard, an exclusive t-shirt for a donation of $50, all the way up to a signed poster and photo with each donation garnering a different number of entries for a chance to win a trip to LA to meet Tyler himself. 

That's all amazing and incredibly generous, and believe me I'm sure I'm going to love my t-shirt, but the true importance of donating to such a cause is the fact that each dollar raised goes toward saving a life

Think about it...if you slacked off the Starbucks for a day and turned that into a $10 donation The Trevor Project might get to keep their lifeline open a little bit longer, enough time to save a kid that's struggling.

That's a life saved because of you!

I don't care where you stand on the issue (well, I do care but...) a life saved is always a good thing in my book.

So what are you waiting for, people! Head over to Prizeo right now, donate what you can and spend the rest of the day with a smile on your face because you just helped save lives!!!

DONATE NOW!!!

The Trevor Project offers life-saving, life-affirming programs and services to LGBTQ youth that create safe, accepting and inclusive environments over the phone, online and through text.

Trevor Lifeline - National 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth (ages 13-24), available at 1-866-488-7386

TrevorChat - A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service that provides live help.

TrevorText - A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention.

UPDATE:
Guys, we did it!!! As of a few minutes ago, thanks to Tyler's famous 1-minute donations, $502,067 has been raised to support The Trevor Project! That's over half a million dollars! 
This is incredible and if you donated I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart...you never know, one of those lives saved by The Trevor Project might just be someone you know and love.

Thank you all and thank you, Tyler Oakley! Continue being awesome, you lovely people!
xo
Merisa

What We Love Wednesday!

Ahhhh! I feel like it has been forever since I did a proper What We Love Wednesday...

probably because it kinda has been but I've had so many great things come into my life lately that I just had to share so here we go!

- Essie On a Silver Platter-
You've probably heard this before but I am obsessed with nail polish...Essie nail polish to be more specific and I honestly believe I have found my favorite glitter polish ever, which as you will know is quiet a feat. Wanna know how I know this polish is really great? Of course you do, that's why you're ready this. Duh! Well, On A Sliver Platter is one of those glitter polishes that is so pretty it distracts me when I'm writing. Seriously, I actually stopped in the middle of my Modern History exam just to admire my own nail polish...a little vain but whatever, it made me really happy! haha
I don't know what it is exactly but this polish is really great because it has a shiny base that's almost opaque shimmery gold with blue glitter in varying sizes that's just really eye catching. This also makes a really great top coat for School Boy Blazer, which might actually be my favorite polish ever...which is really saying something.

-NYX lip butters-
I have heard so much about these things over the years and really just brushed them off until I spotted them in Ulta and decided to give 'em a try. I regret nothing.
These suckers are awesome! I have two, in Apple Strudel and Cupcake, and need more desperately (by need I mean want, of course). I swear they smell like vanilla or just sweetness in general (I'm awful with describing scents, you'll hear more about that in a second.) Apple Strudel is this really fun peachy color while Cupcake is a hot pink that leans more on the red side, both really great for spring and summer.
They're really opaque for glosses but they're also good for layering over other lip products like my Revlon Color Burst Matte Balms. I'm currently stalking Ulta's site trying to decide what colors I want next...I'm leaning toward Maple Blondie and Red Velvet at the moment. ;)
Keep a look out for these products in my upcoming post about my favorite lip colors for Spring!

- Gucci Guilty Black-
For my birthday back in October, I was determined to treat myself to a new perfume during my girls' birthday weekend-away. So, I waltzed into Sephora and spent a ridiculous amount of time scouring the bright display of crazy insanity that is the fragrance section. After exhausting my nose and using up every sense I had (and probably testing the sales girl's patience too) I decided to be a bit of a badass and go for the sleek black and red bottle of Gucci Guilty Black.

I'm really bad at describing scents (if you couldn't tell from above) so I checked out Sephora's site to see what they had to say about it,
 "The Guilty Black lovers bring out the most scandalous sides of each other: alone they are magnificent, together irrepressible. Fearless in their passion, they are brazen, shameless, unpredictable—ready for each and every explosive encounter. Their attraction is instinctive: they go where they sense danger and each other. 
Too much is never enough for young hedonists, who drive each other to stray ever darker. Life is thrilling and meant to be lived to the fullest. Again and again, they give in to pleasure and the excitement of breaking the rules. 
Gucci Guilty Black is a sensual oriental floral, inviting you to indulge in your burning desires."

 Can I just say that reading that automatically brings the word "badass" to my mind...exactly what I was thinking when I made this purchase and I love that! 
To be perfectly honest, I'm not a badass...in case you couldn't tell from, well, any of my previous posts. I started to feel like the scent didn't really fit my personality very well. (Sidenote: scents are supposed to fit your personality, right?) I left the fragrance alone for a little while, just letting it chill on my dresser until one day I decided to get some use out of it. Spraying it reminded me of the fun and determined time I was having during that period in my life and I'm loving that now. I truly believe that scents connect deep in our memories so I highly suggest going out and finding a fragrance to connect with a great memory...it's definitely worth it.

-My Kate Spade Bag-
If you saw my last post then you've probably already heard about my new Kate Spade bag so I won't bore you with too much droning on about it but I will say that I absolutely, positively adore it!
It seriously might just be the cutest thing I've ever owned (aside from my puppy) and I treat it like a child. Seriously, I knocked it into the corner of the Bridge on campus the other day and almost had a heart attack. It's that serious, people. I've officially become that girl!
It will most likely be my forever favorite but I will spare you by just posting it this one last time.

My sister was an absolute gem last weekend and picked me up a kick-butt iHome (it spins!) from her work last weekend and I have been playing music like crazy in the room so I've got quiet a few favorites this week.

-Iggy Azalea "Fancy"-
If you haven't seen this video then I highly suggest you click the link above and prepare yourself for the ultimate throwback!
In the video, my ultimate hairspiration and Aussie girl crush brings back Cher and the gang in her version of Clueless. It's seriously amazing, check it out below and get ready to dance around your dorm room.

You can also check out the song and a lot more on my Spotify playlist below or by checking out my Spotify profile by clicking THIS LINK :)

-5 Seconds of Summer-
Now for something a little toward the other end of the spectrum...a pop-punk band that toured with One Direction. They're from Australia, I discovered them on YouTube, and they are absolutely adorable. There's really not much more I can say than that but you've got to check them out. I've linked some of my favorite songs below (including their latest video)...

"She Looks So Perfect" - 5 Seconds of Summer

-House of Cards-
TGFN!!! That's short for Thank God for Netflix because without it I would never have been introduced to this amazing show. As you probably already know, I'm a history/political science nerd so of course a show that chronicles the internal affairs of both the Capitol and the White House are right up my alley!
Also, it's a serious nail biter (that season 2 premiere tho!) and, as is custom with Netflix. you have the opportunity to binge watch as each season is released collectively instead of by episode.

I'm not proud of this fact but I may have watched the entire first season and most of the second in like 2 days...but I've managed to convince myself to slow down as this is a show that is meant to be savored not devoured. What makes it even better is that the two main characters are Southerners who rose to the top (they even take a trip to South Carolina in a few eps) and aren't afraid to put up a fight. Claire Underwood looks like she has some Monogrammed Magnolia spirit deep in her if you ask me.
Consider it the West Wing with a lot more spice. Now go head over to Netflix and check it out if you're not already hooked.

I hope y'all liked this look into my favorites this week! Comment below with your favorites or let me know your thoughts on some of the things I mentioned above.

until next time, darlings.
xo
Merisa


PS: confession...I actually made this post last week but forgot to schedule it for last Wednesday so sorry if some of this stuff is a little played...it's only been a week though! xo

Follow Friday

Hey guys! 

So apparently I decided to take a little blogging break over Spring Break this year, even though I had every intention to do the opposite. But oh well, I'm here now and I thought since I'm away I would do a quick Follow Friday post. 

However, this is gonna be a little different from my previous Follow Friday posts...this one's just going to be a shameless plug! :) 

Because, really, if you like what we've got going on here at Monogrammed Magnolias then I would like to think that you'd love my other social media outlets so let's get to it!

Twitter!

You can follow me, @angelmerisa23 by clicking this link ---> Follow Me!

I love Twitter and think it's a great way to keep up to date on everything from Awards Season, March Madness, or what the girl in front of you in Stats class is really thinking. Plus, Twitter has turned into my main news source nowadays. That's how I found out that my childhood favorite band's lead singer had a baby...and made a video about it...which you should so totally watch below! 

(I know that's incredibly random but it's gone crazy viral and I wanted to include it, 

plus it's is seriously the cutest thing ever!)

Instagram!

Hi, my name's @angelmerisa23 and I'm addicted to Instagram. 

I try not to be a typical white girl but sometimes you've just gotta post a lunch time pic...plus, I'm obsessed with photo editing so if your Starbucks pic features some cool filter or frame it'll probably get a like from me no matter what. 

Pinterest!

I know I throw this phrase around a lot but I am...OBSESSED with Pinterest! Like seriously, it's kinda crazy...I've got over 50 boards and 7K+ pins...that means you should definitely follow me!

SIDE NOTE: I started this post then the Kansas State/UK game came on and it's no longer Friday but I am determined to get this post together...perseverance is the motto! By the way, we're winning! Go CATS!

Tumblr!

Tumblr is like my guilty pleasure...which is probably what every Tumblr user says but it's also like my baby blog and where I go to complain to the internet without fear of my grandma seeing it...thanks, Facebook.

 follow me at angelintheoutfield.tumblr.com

Spotify!

This is a crazy one because honestly I don't think a lot of people know about Spotify but I've had it for like years now and it's like the best of both worlds between Pandora and iTunes...a music library with literally every type of music ever! I'm not so sure how the whole music sharing stuff goes with Spotify but they recently made it to where you can download their app to your phone (I've been using the desktop version until now) and listen to playlists on the go. You can check out my playlists that range from my obsession with anything British to music for my Southern Belle soul! 

to check out my Spotify playlists click THIS LINK!

 Thanks so much guys I hope you've enjoyed this peek into my social media world, feel free to follow me on any of the sites mentioned! Thanks!

until next time, darlings

xo

Merisa

Beauty Breakdown: Primers

Is it just me or are primers the new "cool kid" on the block when it comes to beauty products?

I feel like they're everywhere with everyone talking about them lately. It seems like every brand has their own must-have primer (or 2, Rimmel) and they all do different stuff for your face.

To be perfectly honest I got really tired of all the hype. I mean, it seems like everyone's praising primers but what difference do they really make?

Well, that's the question this post is meant to answer!

I dove right in and picked up some primers that caught my eye while at the drugstore...and a sample from Ulta because that little sucker's expensive just to try it.

I've been using the Rimmel Fix & Perfect for a while now but recently gave it up because like I said, what difference does it really make? So I put it up against some real contenders pictured above: Maybelline Baby Skin (aka the techy nerd turned cool kid), Rimmel Stay Matte Primer (every shiny forehead's worst enemy), and Benefit's the POREfessional (the primer Prom Queen)

Let's start out with the odd ball of the bunch

Maybelline Baby Skin: I have heard so much about this product even before it was available in the states so I was dying to get my hands on it when it landed at my local CVS. I seriously had no preconceptions about this product so I was honestly shocked when I squeezed the tube and found clear gel come out. What?! It was so cool. However, it got kinda weird when I went to put it on my face. 

Because it's clear you really can't tell where you're putting it on and the slick texture doesn't help that either as you get the product on your fingers and lose track of how much product is going where. 

While it took a minute to get over the strange texture the results I found around my t-zone helped speed up my decision making process a little more. This product claimed to have Blur Technology when it comes to hiding pores and I must say the word blur perfectly describes what occurs. It doesn't hide your pores but it does blur their appearance making large pores (like mine) practically disappear once foundation is applied! 

I'm giving this product a thumbs up simply because it blew my mind. While I probably won't use it all over my face it is definitely a product that comes in handy on those days that your pores look more like craters.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro: Like I said before, I've been using this primer for a while now and really just use it as a base for my foundation as it does a pretty good job of smoothing things out. While this particularly product doesn't do much for my pores really I have been wanting to see how it would do combined with the Baby Skin product. Definitely something to try very soon!

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer: Rimmel just recently came out with a new range of Stay Matte foundations (which I also picked up) and I love their Stay Matte powders so much that I decided to give the primer in the range a shot too! Looking back on it now, I may have been swayed by the purple packaging because I have yet to see a real different between this and the Fix & Perfect. I will say that the Stay Matte is a thicker formula and does a better job at actually staying matte which is definitely a good thing but during these past few snow days I've found that it actually leaves my skin too matte so I'm definitely holding out to try this one out during the warmer spring and summer days. 

Also, I found that when I combined the primer and the foundation from this range it was way too drying, but definitely a match to try once those shiny spots caused my warmer days start appearing.

Benefit the POREfessional: This product was another bit of a surprise when I opened it as it was a nude color that really set it apart from the others. I think the color had a lot to do with how well this particular primer was able to hide imperfections as it hides pores insanely well and creates an unbelievably smooth canvas for my foundation. I really enjoyed my sample of this product but I honestly don't think I could ever convince myself to pay the $31 price tag for something that's not really essential to my routine.

I realize this looks kind of weird but I just wanted to show y'all the differences in appearance and texture between the primers: (l-r) Fix & Perfect, POREfessional, Baby Skin, and Stay Matte.
(sorry the POREfessional looks a little grotesque but that's all I could squeeze out of the sample.)
You can really tell a difference between the two Rimmel products here as the Stay Matte is clearly thicker than the Fix & Perfect and how weird is it seeing the clear Baby Skin gel? haha

I hope you all have enjoyed this little break down of the primers I've used recently. I'd love it if you left comments below letting me know your favorite primers!

until next time, darlings
xo
Merisa

Huge Spring Collective Haul!

Well, I think it's safe to say that I'm not doing so hot on that whole New Year's resolution deal about trying to be a better blogger but I am here now and determined to make more of an effort (with all of my resolutions) this month!

I wanted to get this post in because it actually introduces quite a few other posts that I have planned for the very near future so keep an eye out for them, Magnolias. 

Let me start by saying this is a collective haul that I've acquired over the past few weeks or so...it's almost embarrassing how much stuff there is to talk about but what can I say? I love to shop! Now let's get to it!

Ulta became my best friend last month...which you can probably tell from the picture below.

The week before last they were having huge Buy One Get One deals on all my favorite brands (which is awesome) so I just couldn't pass it up as it was a great opportunity to try out some new spring looks I've been dying to get my hands on.

Let's just start from the top, shall we?

I actually picked up the Got 2B Rockin' It Dry Conditioner at the Dollar Tree and picked it up because I was simply intrigued by the idea of a dry conditioner. Well, I've given it a try and it is pretty amazing. I know it sounds super strange and sort of time consuming but there's just sometimes when I'm using dry shampoo (aka my favorite product ever, just wait) and I go a little overboard. This solves that issue, a little spray goes a long way in helping keep my locks oil-free but also soft and shiny.

 Like I said, I love me some dry shampoo...it has saved my hair from so many disaster situations and to be perfectly honest when you have hair as long as mine washing it everyday can be a hassle. I had heard a lot of talk about the Batiste dry shampoo and had to get my hands on it when  I saw it on Ulta's website. There are so many different scents to choose from that it was a difficult decision but I'm a sucker for leopard print so the packaging on the Wild variety won out. Honestly, I'm on the fence about the scent, there are days that I really like it and days I just don't so it's kinda strange but overall I think it's a really great product...probably not something I would buy every time I run out but definitely nice to try out different scents. 

I went a little overboard on the primers and Rimmel products so those will actually be featured in a breakdown of my favorite primers post coming later one...sneak peak: really loving the Baby Skin at the moment, definitely worth a try!

In case you can't tell by the picture above, I have a serious addiction to lip products. There are 8 featured above (eek!), 6 of which were purchased at the same time from Ulta...but they were all apart of the BOGO deal with the Ulta brand lipsticks BOGO Free and the others BOGO 50% off. That is not a deal you pass up easily, my friends. 

Here's a close up of some of my favorites but be on the lookout for my favorite Spring lip colors on the blog soon, in the meantime definitely give the new Ulta color core lipsticks a look because they're kinda amazing! (mine are [l-r] Sour Cherry and Cutie)

If you checked out my RueLaLa vs HauteLook post a while back then you would have gotten a sneak peak at a few of the products featured below. The Stila pressed pigments were featured on a serious HauteLook sale...like, I think I only got these for $5 a piece (which is insanely cheap for Stila) and I have to say that I was a little disappointed with them at first but love how versatile they are now that I've used them a few times. I use Acoustic (bottom left) as an eyeshadow trio with the lightest shade all over, the dark shade in the crease, and occasionally the orangey-red on the outer corner. As for the shade on the right, Finale (how cute are these names?), I blend that together and use as a blush...I know, pretty bright for a blush but the color comes off amazingly when used sparingly. Overall, they were a great purchase which is more than I can say for the lip colors which were way off course as far as display color to IRL color goes. 

Speaking of thumbs down products, the product at the top of this photo is actually marketed as a bronzer no matter how much it looks like a highlighter.
I'm a huge Physcians Formula fan when it comes to pressed bronzing powders (mostly because they're the only ones easily available to me it seems) but does anyone else feel like they're really a hit or miss brand?
I've gotten some really great bronzers from them over the years but also some really bad ones and this one unfortunately falls in that category. I was of course drawn in by their packaging (as always) and this one just so happened to be in a sparkly pink package...just begging for me to take it home. However, it also claimed to be specifically formulated for brunettes (looking back now, I guess I really should have gone with the blondes on this one) and that was something that really set this product apart from the rest. I don't know how they think this product will look good on darker haired girls seeing as they are usually the ones with darker skin when it barely even shows up on my beige toned skin!
As you probably know, PF bronzers run on the expensive side as far as drugstore brands go so I've resorted to using this product as a highlighter and even dig into the different sections of the mosaic to use as eyeshadows, something that still lacks luster but hey, why let it go to waste.

What's one of the sure fire signs that you are a Monogrammed Magnolia? It's in the name of course...a love for all things monogrammed!
That's exactly why Marley Lilly Flash Sales are my own personal kryptonite, or rather my bank account's kryptonite. February became ML's month of flash sales as they celebrated every Monogram Monday with one of their signature sales and the very last one featured all my favorites in none other than red, white, and blue! And let's face it, nothing say's Monogrammed Magnolias quite like a red, white, & blue Monogrammin' 'Merica tee! I just had to get my hands on it and rep my faves at Marley Lilly!

There's just something about a pocket tee that makes me go weak in the knees...add a monogram and I'm hooked...add a little Bama houndstooth and I've gotta have it! I adore this shirt and love the super amazing quality of the pocket itself! I don't know how they do it but Marley Lilly has got it going on with these printed pockets and I'm afraid I'm a fan for life. Definitely give them a look and be sure to follow them @MarleyLilly on Twitter to be in the know about the next Flash Sale which is always just around the corner.

Now for the BIG finale, folks!

I now present to you my pride, my joy, my absolute obsession...

my Kate Spade Little Kaelin Primrose Hill bag!!!

It's like the holy grail of bags for me and it was purchased during one of Kate Spade's signature Surprise Sales which I am a die hard fan of! 

I just love this bag and have probably carried it everyday since it arrived on my doorstep. It's a cross body on a leather and chain strap that is just absolutely to die-for, I mean how cute it that bow? Best part? The inside is polka dots! Kate Spade pulled out all the stops with this one!

I can honestly say that it was well worth the money and as my mother would say, it feels like buttah!

For more pictures of my bag and all my finds follow me on Instagram!!!

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa