Life Update

Holy crap!

This last week has been a crazy one. So crazy that my whole blogging schedule was just chucked out the window. I thought I would try to explain my absence in the form of a life update to catch y'all up on all the craziness.

Tucker as a baby!

Have I mentioned that I got a puppy? I mean he's almost a year old now but I don't really think I've mentioned him. Anyway, he's fabulous and amazing (of course). His name is Tucker Jax and he is a Yorkie.

Well, I love him to bits so when he was feeling sluggish and his jaws started to swell last week I started to freak out a bit. Turns out he was stung by a bee. It was a horrible experience for both of us. I thought he was bitten by a snake but the Vet was really cool, reassured me it was just a bee, and put my mind at ease when he showed me that Tucker loved the medicine he would have to take for the next couple of weeks. Seriously though, Tucker absolutely loves that medicine...I think he's actually going to miss it.

Our NEW House

My family and I are also moving...to a bigger and better house across town.

Which is really great but a pain in the butt. 

Mostly because it is actually a really slow process but we're getting there.

I've even started decorating my new room a bit. Let me know if y'all would like to see a post about my new found love for interior design! haha

I don't know why I'm showing this to the world but it perfectly describes
my weekend. That's me, my best friend, and my little sister. Don't judge.

On top of all that I've had to face the harsh reality that I am no longer a college student. :(

All of my friends...seriously, all of them...started college last week. 

That includes my best friend since daycare; my fellow Monogrammed Magnolia, Danielle (who started her senior year!); and my little sister. 

What's a girl to do without a crew like that? Well, by the time last week was coming to an end I was realizing just how hard of a time I was having actually dealing with everyone being gone and having fun at school without me. So I paid them all a visit and went to stay at my sister's apartment this past weekend.

The Carousel at the fair aka one of only 4 rides 

Turns out it was exactly what I needed. I loved seeing everyone and just roaming around my old stomping grounds plus the fair was in town!

After two days though, I felt incredibly old and worn completely out so I spent the day at my sister's apartment cleaning and acting like the old fart that I am.

Oh well, I'm still slowly coming to terms with the fact that my Year Off is fully underway but I feel like things are finally starting to look up. I even have a top secret plan in the works but that's for another update.

For now, I'll leave you with this little gem from my Instagram that I stole from @hellogiggles. They won't mind. 

Sometimes it's just nice to know you're not the only one that has no freaking clue what's going on. Thanks, Ricky Gervais and the lovely girls at Hello Giggles. 

until next time, darlings

xo

PS: I'm still playing catch-up so keep an eye out for my August Faves, Ipsy Review, and a few other bits and bobs left over from last month coming this week.

May Favorites 2014

Hey guys!

So I know I'm a little late to the game on this one (mostly because I attempted to do a video instead of a post but that was a major failure, don't ask) but I really wanted to go through my monthly favorites for the month of May really quick because honestly, I miss blogging and I miss monthly favorites so let's get to it.

Beauty Favorites

Golden Magnolia Sun Body Cream

What is my number one rule, children? That's right!

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! 

So it should really come as no surprise that one of my favorites this month would be a body cream. Between swimming, tanning, and just being outdoors in general my body gets super dehydrated going into summer so I recently stocked up on some essentials at Bath & Body Works. I picked up the "Golden Magnolia Sun" Triple Moisture Body Cream because it just seemed fitting considered the title of this blog. The scent is so fresh and can only be described as "pretty" even the description on the back sounds pretty. 

"Golden Magnolia Sun is a luminous blend of pink magnolia, golden apricot, and sun-kissed peony, blooming with a touch of sensual vanilla and cassis nectar. 

I don't know what half that stuff should smell like but together it is heavenly. 

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Mousse

My name is Merisa and I am officially a self-tan junkie. 

May marked my first month tanning bed free.! Yay! I finally understand that tanning beds only cause harm, thank you, thank you. *bows graciously accepting imaginary applause*

Anyway, I needed to find a way to get that golden glow that I was missing so much. That's when I started trying out a ton of self-tanning products from high end to drugstore brands. I picked up the L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Mousse because it actually came with a sample of L'Oreal's new sunscreen that I really wanted to try (I'm picky about sunscreens). I wasn't expecting a whole lot because I was so set on trying the St. Tropez Mousse but I tried it out anyway.

Let me just say that I was hooked after the first swipe of my tanning mitt. 

I LOVE this stuff. It delivers wonderful color immediately while only taking a few hours to build up to an even better warm toned glow. Application is super easy and one pump of product goes a long way with no streaking at all.

I'm planning on doing a whole self-tanning post later on this month so keep an eye out for that for more info on this product and more.

Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub 

I received this product in May's Ipsy Glam Bag (which I will be posting about very soon, I promise!) and I was immediately shocked by how much product came in the sample. At 1oz. of product it holds 75% more than the microdermabrasion scrubs I received with Birchbox (if you don't know how I feel about that then check out this post). I have become so obsessed with microdermabrasion scrubs lately that it's practically the only scrub that I let touch my face. Oddly enough, I really like the scent of this product (usually these types of products are more chemically smelling but this one has a lemony scent) and love the thick and creamy texture. I little product goes a long way so I expect this sample to last a long time. Overall, a huge thumbs up to Ipsy yet again!

LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub

Keeping with the theme of scrubs, I picked up this lip scrub during a shopping trip in late April and feel in love! This product quickly became a staple in my nightly routine as it is super easy to just dip your finger in the sweetly smelling pot, dash a bit of scrub across your lips, and enjoy! After rubbing the scrub between my lips it almost seems like a reward to take it off. Seeing as it is made with fresh, edible, vegan ingredients the scrub is completely fine to just lick off you lips (my favorite part) and I love the sweet and salty, kettle corn combination. I already can't wait to try the other LUSH lip scrubs. 

Essie Nail Polish

I know it's technically still spring but for me as soon as the temp gets above 75 I'm ready for summer which means I'm in need for a summer nail polish. That's when I hit up my handy dandy box of polish (which is a lot bigger than I ever care to admit to) and found this polish which I've had for ages. I don't know if it's my awesome tan (thanks, L'Oreal) or what but Essie's Mod Square definitely hit the mark and is my new go-to polish for summer. 

These next two products go hand in hand...

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment Concealer

Real Techniques  Expert Face Brush

You've probably heard me gush about the Instant Age Rewind before just as I've heard countless beauty bloggers go on and on about it but let me just say that it is totally worth the hype! I have the neutralizer shade which I'm not too big on really and would probably pick a different shad next time but I have yet to find a concealer that covers my monster under eye circles as well as this sucker does. It has a super lightweight, creamy texture that doesn't crease but with high impact coverage that can even tackle blemishes and redness too. I really enjoy taking the Expert Face Brush and blending it in after I've used the brush to apply my foundation because I'm not too big on the shade but the formula is out of this world and I pray Maybelline never changes it.

Everything Else

Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit

Let me just say that every girl needs one of these bad boys in her bag at all times!

I had a lot of events in May and I cannot tell you how many times this little emergency kit came in handy. It has everything a girl could need in a cute little case. From breather freshener, hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, deodorant, aspirin, a sewing kit, the list goes on. My favorite might just be the unbelievably good tasting/smelling mini lip balm. In my personal opinion this product is worth the $16 price tag from Sephora just because it is so hassle free. They come in a variety of colors and there are even kits for brides and bridesmaids, perfect for wedding season.

Lilly Pulitzer Ear Buds

I've had these for quiet awhile as I picked them up during either the End of Summer or Winter sale on Lilly's website, I can't remember which but they have come in super handy during the month of May. I would just throw the buds in their handy little pouch then in my bag they went with me to the library, my Editing & Design class, and even the pool most recently. I love how I don't have to worry about my headphones getting tangled or broken because of the soft case and I especially enjoy the print on the ear buds. Definitely something to keep an eye out for during Lilly's upcoming End of Summer Sale.

Lilly Pulitzer Inspired Home State Print

There I was just minding my own business, scrolling through Instagram when I notice an anon-account I follow posted a picture of these Lilly Pulitzer Inspired Home State Prints (I believe they were Alabama and South Carolina) and I just had to have one. I commented on the picture asking if they could possibly do a print of Kentucky and got an immediate response saying yes so I hopped over to Etsy, messaged the shop setting up a custom order, greeted again by an immediate response, and had my print customized and ordered within a day. The print is from LWCDesigns on Etsy and I have to say that not only was I super impressed by how quickly they operated (I received my order days before another order I placed with a different shop a week earlier) but also the value of the print compared with the price. At only $6 ($9.50 with shipping) I was totally impressed with the overall experience. The print came framed and everything!

I highly suggest you head over to LWCDesigns right now to check out some of their other amazing products and check them out on Instagram as well!

Books

You might recognize these books from my What We Love Wednesday Haul post back in December and I hate to say it but I'm just now getting around to reading them and by reading them I mean blazing through them. Seriously, I believe I finished the first three books in a week. 

I'm not going to give too much away but I am completely and utterly obsessed with The Mortal Instruments Series, so much so that I actually can't bring myself to finish reading the fourth book in my box set until I have the last two books (the last of which was just published a week ago) ordered and on their way. I've spent my days on a float in the pool with these books glued to my hand, I just can't put them down. 

Music

"First things first, I'm the realest!"

If you haven't heard of Iggy Azalea than you must be living under a rock because she is everywhere at the moment. I've had a strange fascination with Iggy ever since she came out with "'Work" last year and I am so excited that she has found success with "Fancy" which you can see the video for in my last What We Love Wednesday post. She recently released her album, The New Classic, and it has been at the top of my Spotify playlists all month. She also became the first artist since The Beatles to remain at the No. 1 & 2 spot with their first Billboard Hot 100 entries with "Fancy" and Ariana Grande's "Problem" which she features on.

Also, she teams up with Rita Ora for her next single "Black Widow" which is probably my favorite song off the record, go check it out!

TV

So MTV might not be the same music television we grew up with but that's not stopping them from delivering on some great tv still. I'm sort of obsessed with their new show "Faking It" which is a kind of crazy show of two high school best friends who fake being lesbians to get in the "in-crowd" but the writing is fantastic and I love the quick wittiness of the characters, especially Gregg Sulkin's British-but-trying-to-be-American accent. 

Magical Moment

My magical moment of the month is a no-brainer...I graduated from college this May!!!

It's been quiet a journey but it was well worth it in the end and I can't wait to see what this next month has in store for me as an official college graduate! That's fun to say!

I hope you enjoyed this look into my monthly favorites!

Comment below with some of you favorites from May and be sure to let me know what your Magical Moment was!

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa 

Graduation Playlist

By this time tomorrow I will officially be a college graduate and to commemorate this momentous occasion (and dip my foot back in the water since I haven't blogged in what seems like ages)

I've put together a little Spotify playlist with my favorite graduation songs for all those end-of-the-year parties and any blow-outs featuring the Class of 2014. 

Check out my Spotify profile here: merisa23

 or just listen to the playlist below.

I may have gotten a little carried away but it is what it is. Haha
I hope you enjoyed it.

until next time, lovelies

xo

Merisa

PS: Congrats, fellow graduates. I couldn't find it on Spotify but I couldn't have a graduation playlist without this song...

"Never Grow Up" - Timeflies ft. Loggy and Mike Stud.

It's Been a While

Hi, loves!!!

So, I'm sure by now you guys are totally over me starting posts out this way but...

I'm so sorry I've been away for so long!

I think this is the longest we've been separated and I just couldn't take it any longer. 

To continue with the theme of begging for forgiveness let me take a moment to explain my absence in the best way I can...which is probably still not very good but anyway...

Aside from the usual business that is school and work I've been faced with a bit of a creative dilemma.

If you remember a few posts back I announced that I had started a new YouTube channel to supplement content alongside this blog, well after posting my first video and filming a couple others I fell into a creative slump of sorts.

I was so excited to start making videos and building up this blog that it was taking a lot of time away from school so I redirected my focus toward my studies...then I sorta lost sight of what I was doing creatively, I guess. Anyway, long story short I'm done with school for a while so I'm back on board completely and ready to start posting again.

So keep an eye out for my next post which should be coming up sooner than you think. ;)

until next time, lovelies!
xo
Merisa 

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

What a nice way to start off the week...I found this earlier today on Tumblr and sort of ran with it, which brings me to today's post.

When I think of productive Sundays I think of doing things that get me ready for the coming week. To most that might mean starting the two term papers I have due next week or preparing for my Senior presentation but no...what that really means is doing the laundry I've neglected, clearing out my makeup bag, and ultimately...

cleaning my makeup brushes!

Now, while taking on this task I started to notice that I've developed quite a nice technique so I thought I'd share it with you all!

Yay for clean makeup brushes! Yay!

This may seem like the most simplest thing in the world but honestly, if you're doing it right, it can take a little effort so I've actually developed a routine for cleaning my brushes in between cleaning but for now here's the deep clean. 

Start out my gathering all of your brushes!

As you can see, they definitely needed a cleaning. Please excuse that rather nasty looking Beauty Blender, we're about to fix that situation.

Now, gather the rest of your supplies!

I use a small bowl (or mug, in this case) filled about a third of the way full with warm water, some baby shampoo from the Dollar Tree, a wash cloth, and napkins. 

I forgot to include it in this photo but I also use Sephora's Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner spray.

Now comes the messy part but to help the time go by faster I usually check out some of my favorite YouTube channels for their latest videos while cleaning my brushes.

(I watched Tanya Burr's Nicole Scherzinger makeup tutorial and March favorites videos this time around) 

I start out with the smallest brushes first mostly because they don't really hold all that much makeup. 

After mixing a little baby shampoo into the water, I dip a brush in the water and swirl it around a little. 

Then, I take the brush and wipe it in a circular motion on a napkin (I usually save the wash cloth for the bigger brushes) until all of the makeup comes off and the brush looks clean. 

For bigger brushes or ones with a lot of makeup like my foundation brushes, I tend to use the Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner first by spraying it directly onto the brush then swirling the brush around on a napkin or cloth. If it's a brush I haven't used a whole lot, like the pink powder brush, then that's usually all the cleaning it needs but for more heavily used brushes I need to repeat the steps I used for the smaller brushes. 

My foundation brush and my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush required a little more care as they both had liquid makeup throughout the bristles, meaning I had to repeat steps a few times.

My Beauty Blender comes with its own cleaner but to be perfectly honest I don't really like the way it smells so I usually just end up running it through some water with baby shampoo and rinsing it until the water runs clear

Finally, once all of the brushes are done I give them a good rinse making sure all the makeup is off and squeeze out any excess water. Then I grab a towel, roll up one end, place it on a table (or my bed), then prop all of my brushes up against the rolled up end so that the bristles are facing down onto the towel. 

This allows the brushes to dry without getting water down into the glued part that holds the bristles and handle together ensuring that your brushes will last longer.

No, that's not some sort of pink latte that's actually the dirty brush water after everything was done. I think that means I might wear too much pink blush. haha

I hope you all enjoyed this look into my clean brush routine. I'm all set to start this week off fully prepared...I'm about to get started on those papers too, I promise!

Leave a comment below letting me know if you found any of this helpful and also if you have any tips or tricks of your own.

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa

NYX on HauteLook

Just a quick update for you all just because I knew you'd love what I've got to say...

HauteLook is having a a HUGE sale on NYX cosmetics at the moment!

There are some mega deals going on so I just had to share my picks with you, of course!

The first thing that caught my eye about this particular sale is that everything is bundled into sets so it's a really great way to pick up some favorites while also trying out some new products at low prices.

As you already know, I love NYX butter gloss so I was immediately drawn to this set of lip products that features the butter gloss in Eclair along with 4 other products at just $12.00. A single butter gloss can run almost $5 so this deal is crazy bread!

It is really hard for me to walk away from this next set, so hard in fact it's already in my cart just waiting for me to press the checkout button.

This Spring Set features some of my favorite eye shadow colors as well as a rose gold shadow stick for just $7.50!

Originally priced at $30 this huge palette is a steal at just $18 as it includes: 

- 52 Eye Shadows

- 4 Blushes

- 4 Face Colors

- 8 Lip Colors

- 1 Lip Liner

 - 2 Lip Glosses

- 2 Dual-Sided Applicators

- Face Brush & Mirror

That's a pretty incredible deal if you ask me. Also, in case you didn't know, the majority of NYX products are Animal Testing & Cruelty Free which is a HUGE plus when buying their products as more lines need to make this possible!

To check out the sale head over to hautelook.com and click here for an invite

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

February 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag

Let me first start by saying that I'm sorry there wasn't a review for the January Ipsy glam bag posted but, at the risk of sounding cheesy and above all lazy, I just wasn't feeling it. I know, I know that's horrible but the bag was really sub-par last month and it took me forever to even try all of the products. Hey, we all have our bad days you're forgiven, Ipsy.

Ahhh!

Whew, that is literally the only way I can express how much I adore this month's glam bag! If you read through this review and like what you see then wait till the end and click the link to check out Ipsy for yourself.
Not only am I so excited to tell you about each product but I'm even more excited to bring back my partner-in-crime, Danielle!
That's right, ladies, Danielle is back and she had this to say:
Let me start off by saying I apologize for my lack of posting in the last few months. I have been super busy with sorority stuff,  & my junior year of bowling coming to an end this season! 

On a lighter note, this Friday I am going to begin my journey as a brand new Mary Kay consultant! I am so very excited to sell some amazing products that every woman needs in her possession! I will be writing some post about those products here soon! 

Now real point of this post, the AMAZING February Ipsy glam bag! I was beyond excited to open this bag and I was even more excited when I found all of the goodies I received this month! 

As, you can probably tell Danielle and I felt very similarly about this month's bag now let's get to it!

- Merisa's Bag -

- Danielle's Bag -

With the theme of the Look of Love, Danielle and I both loved the bag this month's products came in, a hot pink makeup back with leopard print lining!

Both of us got a few different products but let's start with the one's we had in common...

The first product I opened up and tested out was the Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in the silver shimmery color, Starshine! I love this eyeliner, it goes on extremely smooth, and adds a great sense of color and pop to the normal bronze shadow I wear. 

-dSl-

The Mally eyeliner is definitely a standout for me and is probably the first Ipsy product that made me want to try other items from the brand featured outside of that specific product. Seriously, I need more Mally in my life. I love the color, which is a metallic silver that just blends so smoothly and glides on. I've used this product as an inner corner highlight and even as a substitute for my usual black liner on my no makeup makeup days. 

-aFm-

I am obsessed with this lip gloss...actually I wouldn't even call it a traditional lip gloss. This product from POPBeauty in Peony Petal has been on my lips ever since I got my bag in the mail! I love everything about it from the sleek matte black packaging to the stain like application. I think the color is a really great pick for me which is something I was a little worried about upon first impression. I say a stain like application because it really does look like a gloss at first until you actually put it on, it's not sticky at all and almost feels like a melted down lipstick but stays super moisturized.

-aFm-

 This gloss is a good pop of color. It gives you just enough to add something to your everyday look. I really loved the container that it came in. The tube has a handle on it that is really smooth and glides on easily! 

-dSl-

As you might have noticed in the picture of my bag above, I got a few extra products...that's not because I'm particularly special even though I totally am, it's because I traded in my Ipsy points from reviewing my products in my Glam Room online to receive a BeautyBlender and BlenderCleanser! I LOVE the BeautyBlender and must say that it's totally worth the hype but not worth the price...I'm sure you can find an off brand that would get the job done just as well. I really liked the Zoya polish in Odette and thought that it almost looked gel-like on my nails after a 2nd coat even though it didn't act gel-like in the chip department.

I'm still on the fence about the Rituoil for my hair but hair products are always testy for me.

-aFm-

The J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes & Eyelash Glue were some of the best lashes I've tried. It added so much to my natural lashes and made them appear fuller. I love them so very much and even wore them for my Valentine's Day dinner last Friday night!

 I love the City Color Be Matte Blush, I have never tried any of their products and I am not sure why because this is the best blush I have ever used thus far! It blends well, has a great color, called Fresh Melon, and simply warms up your face to create a "sun kissed" look! It is definitely a product worth purchasing especially because it runs for only $2.99 regular price! Can't wait to continue using this product.

-dSl-

I hope you've enjoyed this review of the February Ipsy Glam Bag, to get your own Glam Bag next month click the link below!

Ipsy Glam Bag

until next time, darlings.

xo

The Monogrammed Magnolias

PS: 

RueLaLa vs HauteLook

So, it should come as no surprise to you by now that I am a serious lover of online shopping. Well, what could be better than having designer digs and luxury items all in one place at low prices? I really can't think of anything and that makes these two sites an online shopper's dream!

RueLaLa
RueLaLa is a site that holds daily boutiques of well, anything and everything pretty much, at "Members-only" prices (that means seriously on sale!). 

Featuring everything from vintage Louis Vuitton (I die!), Ray-Bans, Little Rue kids' boutiques, and the perfect weekend getaways RueLaLa holds the things dreams are made of. 

Their boutiques stay open anywhere from a few hours to a whole week and you can even get a sneak peak at what's coming soon and set reminders directly to your phone. 

I've gotten several items from RueLaLa over the years (mostly Lilly Pulitzer, they now send me reminders every time there's Lilly in a boutique) and I have to say that their customer service is by far the BEST I have ever encountered across the board. I'm just going to say it, there really is no one better than RueLaLa when it comes to customer satisfaction. Anytime I've ever had a problem with an order or needed a question answered my RueLaLa concierge (makes me feel so sophisticated just saying that) has been there to help almost immediately. That's a wonderful feeling and just adds to the luxury of RueLaLa.

Like a lot of invite-only shopping sites, RueLaLa will give you a credit every time someone you invite accepts and makes a purchase. That's like free money people, come on!

The only downside I've ever encountered with the site is...the shipping, but they've got a solution for that too.

As far as shipping goes, at $9.95 for basic 5-7 days, this site is kinda on the steep end, however, after paying shipping for your first order you get a period of free shipping for 30-days after known as The Rue 30.

Plus, they have really fast shipping. My items usually arrive before their estimated date and they're boxes always have cute sayings on the inside and sometimes you score stickers!

HauteLook

I was really excited to try out HauteLook after a friend mentioned that she got Urban Decay make-up for uber cheap on the site and I found out it's a branch of Nordstrom's. They have an awesome variety of items and boutiques at prices that are a little more user friendlier than other sites but also carry luxury goods like vintage Louis when you're in the mood to splurge.
Just like RueLaLa, HauteLook offers a credit for every new member purchase from someone you've invited. I'm not entirely certain but I believe HauteLook's boutiques stay open a shorter amount of time than other sites causing their items to be in higher demand which in turn creates a unique situation with their shopping cart feature. I have mixed feelings about this feature but I'll go ahead and explain it before diving into that.
Unlike most sites, HauteLook offers a hold on items you place in your cart, however, (and that's a big however!) the hold is only 15 minutes per item!
Uh, I don't know about you but I'm hard pressed to make any decision in that amount of time let alone one where my credit card is involved. Also, while you're only charged shipping once per order you're items are shipped by boutique so if you end up purchasing a bunch of items from different boutiques on the site then your items will come in different shipments which is a major inconvenience especially when shipping takes forever! By forever, I mean close to 3 weeks, which is ridiculous when you're so used to 5-7 business days and when the products finally arrive on your doorstep they sort of lack luster on the whole packing front.

How boring is it when you open up your package to find this?

However, unlike RueLaLa, the shipping is a lot more reasonable and they offer free shipping when you spend $100 so all that blah can be forgiven really.
I'm a huge fan of the variety of products and brands HauteLook offers. My first purchase on the site was from a Stila cosmetics boutique that was out of this world! I got some seriously great deals on some seriously amazing makeup!

Nothing was over $6 and because of that I was able to get a lot of shades to experiment with with!

Overall, my experiences with both sites have been really great and I hope this information has helped you out. If you like to sign up for either site just click the invite links below!

RueLaLa Invite

HauteLook Invite

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa

My Obsession: The Olympics

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!

Even in all caps and bolded letters that is still an understatement. 

I have been an Olympics enthusiast ever since the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. Yes folks, at the tender age of 5 I became an Olympic junkie!
Being from the South, my parents were really excited for the Games, my dad even lived in Atlanta for a few years when he was a kid. I remember bits and pieces of the games but my favorite part was definitely the Opening Ceremony...I was 5, I was only focused on the fireworks!

When I got a little older I got way more interested in the actual Games themselves, I even remember taking a whole grading period to learn about Australia in third grade just in time for the Sydney games. Remember when Mary-Kate & Ashley tried to road-trip to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Games in Getting There? Not even gonna lie, I loved that movie and it also ensured that I was completely hooked on the Olympics no matter what season it was.

So, it should really come as no surprise that I am so excited that it is Olympic time again!
Bring it on Sochi! By the way, I am I the only one that felt like Anastasia during that Opening Ceremony the other night? Can't be.

How sad was it that the 5th Olympic ring glitched out?

Fun Fact I learned from the NBC broadcast: apparently this glitch was taken out of the Russian broadcast and replaced with footage from rehearsals when the ring was completely functional. Kinda crazy, right?

Let's not forget those crazy kids on Team USA!

I must admit that at first I was not too keen on the Ralph Lauren Christmas sweaters but as the ceremony continued (and I saw the adorable Shaun White) they grew on me a little...

...to the point that I kinda want one now. I could do without the patchwork front but nothing says 'Merica like a mega dose of red, white, & blue!

Well, I'm off to catch the recap of the figure skating medal ceremony!

Comment below and let me know what you thought about the Opening Ceremony, Team USA's getups, and who you're keeping an eye out for on the medal stand!

until next time, darlings

xo

Merisa

How I De-Stress

Like it or not the stress of this semester is creeping up on us and after the insanity of last semester (I still have nightmares reliving the finals week from hell) I refuse to let all that stress bring me down. 

So, I've started to do a little personal research on what exactly helps me to destress and the results were quite overwhelming...so of course, I had to share them! Duh!

• Have a Cup of Tea: Now, this might just be the fact that I was meant to British and the stork just got lost on its way across the Atlantic but there is really nothing more calming, warming, and relaxing than a nice cup of tea. It really is a great way to wind down from the day. I seriously suggest a vanilla chai, but that's just me. 
  
• Yoga: I freaking love yoga! So much so that I'm actually researching yoga a little right now and do it whenever I can fit it in, I may have done it in the shower while waiting for my deep conditioner to set in. :) Plus, it's way more than just stretching, like it's kinda mind blowing. I highly suggest you look into yoga a little for yourself because you just might find that it's a really great relaxation tool for you too!
• Make a List: Seriously, though even making a list of the tasks at hand or goals for the week can help my stress levels drop. Also, nothing is better than checking off those pesky tasks. It's a good way to keep yourself on track too. And yes, I have "Make a List" typed out in a list, deal with it. 
  
• Take a moment: I cannot stress how important this is for my destressing. I've realized that a lot of my stress is actually caused when I start to panic about things that are a little nerve racking or just not something I want to do. So, in those times of stress I just step away for a second and do something I actually want to do. Depending on my mood that can be anything from Tumble a little, text a friend, creep on Instagram, or get a few yoga moves in. Find what works for you but remember not to let your responsibilities slip away from you (ohemgee, I sound like my mother!).
• Dance it Out!: I'd like to thank the girls of Grey's Anatomy for this little habit I've developed. (seriously, if you haven't seen stressed out surgeons dance around in their underwear than I don't know if we can be friends.) It sounds a little ridiculous but even picking one song and just dancing around your room can get you moving and your blood flowing. Plus, what did we learn from Elle Woods in the Brooke Windham trial?
  

I hope some of these tips can help you keep your head on straight this semester! Good luck, lovelies!

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa

My Latest Obsession: Ashley Brooke Designs

In case you couldn't tell from the title, I am obsessed with Ashley Brooke Designs and just have to share her amazingness with you guys! 

I honestly can't remember where I first heard of this diamond brand but I follow her on Instagram 

(If ya wanna see some extra cute sneak peeks at her blog posts and product offerings you should definitely follow her too!)

and she blows me away with how she styles her products. Speaking of her products, she sells the cutest most swoon-worthy items on her website and my dream would be to own one of everything!

Seriously, how cute are these mugs? They're all over Instagram and Tumblr!

Dream Big Mug, Miss Fancy Pants Mug, Dollface Mug

Something else that's just downright fabulous about ABD?

She does customizations and brand consultations!

Translation: You can work with her directly to create your own personalized Ashley Brooke Design and even get ABD to help you build the perfect brand for your blog or business!

I am in love with the personal stationery she has available.

The Tailored Collection: Fancy Girl is kinda the perfect way to get your name out there and would make a really great addition to your own personal stationery collection.

I'm hoping to pick up a few of these for my Monogrammed Magnolias contributors! Too cute!

Speaking of Monogrammed Magnolias, how perfect are these Collegiate Couple cards for all you belles and your beaus? I'm partial to the Crimson couple (Roll Tide Roll!) but there are plenty of other color customizations available too!

In case that doesn't have you hooked yet, she even has t-shirts and tanks...

(if this Work It tank doesn't get you motivated I don't know what will)

...and she has notepads that are a blogger's dream. A pretty place to write down all my Happy Thoughts and Brilliant Ideas? I'm totally in and will be picking up some very soon!

I hope y'all check out her site because by the looks of it, it's only going to get better!

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa

OMG! I forgot to include one of my absolute favorites!
Every month ABD shares a free download on her site to use as wallpaper for any of your devices from your phone to your desktop.
This month's features from favorite quote from Inception.

Click Here to download your own from the site (be sure to do it from a desktop) and check back every month for new goodies!
Whew, glad I got that in! 

all pictures above are from Ashley Brooke Designs and ashleybrookedesigns.com.

This was not a paid or sponsored post, all statements above are my own personal opinions.