SPRING BREAK WISHLIST // AMERICAN APPAREL

Nylon Tricot Bandeau Bikini Top in White // $17.50 (on sale!)

Stripe Nylon Tricot High-Waist Swim Brief in White Aqua Vertical Stripe // $28

Medium Wash High-Waist Jean Cuff Shorts // $58

Unisex Big Pocket T-Shirt in Creme // $25 

     ...and I want to recover the pocket with a floral print (thanks Pinterest).

Matte Top Coat Polish // $6

Sincerely, Mary Claire

WINTER FAVORITES

1. pure peppermint tea / Twinings / a gift

2. high-waisted jeans / BDG / Urban Outfitters

3. girls' wingtips / Deena & Ozzy / Urban Outfitters

4. floral lace thong / Urban Outfitters

5. gift card / Starbucks / love the peppermint mocha and Tazo chai tea

6. gift card / Regal Cinemas / have recently seen Lincoln, really interesting movie

7. chapstick / eos / Target (for my purse)

8. lip care formula / Clinique / Macy's (for nightly use)

9. Hide & Go Sequins / Ulta 

10. Fashionably Late / Ulta

11. purple shimmer eyeliner / Ulta

12. black felt-tip eyeliner / Physician's Formula / a gift

13. sheer collared polka dot button-up / Forever 21

14. lace-up wedges / Mossimo / Target

15. floral tights / Urban Outfitters

16. shea cashmere hand cream / Twilight Woods / Bath & Body Works

17. body spray / Twilight Woods / Bath & Body Works

18. triangle necklace / a gift

Sincerely, Mary Claire

FALL FAVORITES

1. thigh-high wool socks / Xhiliration / Target

2. sleeveless, button-up denim shirt / Cherokee / thrifted

3. faux leather ankle boots / H81 / Forever 21

4. Keep Up The Flame / Maybelline ColorShow / Target

5. Impeccable Greys / Maybelline ColorShow / Target

6. nail polish remover pads / Equate / Target

7. Jane Austen collection / Christmas gift, 2011

8. Brownie Super 27 camera / Kodak / thrifted

9. comfort on-call cream / Clinique / Macy's

10. Fire & Ice / Revlon / Target

11. ribbed footless tights / had them for years

12. #3 conditioner / L'Oreal / Target

(I ombre-ed my hair and used L'Oreal Preference LB01. I have lots of this conditioner left, and it's awesome!)

13. frappuccino / Starbucks

14. paisley scarf / thrifted

15. DIY studded flats / Soda / had them for years, just recently added the studs

Sincerely, Mary Claire

HUMP DAY #2

Wednesday, September 5. It's one of those days when I keep forgetting which day of the week it is and what I have to do later and so on. Thus, I feel a bit lazy and tired about everything I've done today. Nashville's ninety-five degree heat does not help this fact, and neither does the immense amount of work I must do for school tomorrow. 

 

The blazing sun and heat continues in Nashville. The inconsistent and freezing climate of my school continues also. Today is grungy and uncomfortable. Tonight, though, I will go to church and continue in the study that I am enjoying so much. All ends well.

Sincerely, Mary Claire

HUMP DAY #1

Alright. I'm getting a bit lazy about posting on this blog. Thus, I've devised a formula to make sure I post at least once a week. It will go like this: each Wednesday I'll make a "Hump Day" post, which will include a view out my bedroom window on that particular day, usually what I'm wearing (if it's worthy of the internet), and a variety of things. I hope these posts will force me to update more and maybe they'll give me a little mid-week inspiration to get me to Friday without losing my mind. 

 

Today is sunny and unbearably hot (at least in my poor little sans-AC car) for the most part.  I'm wearing a dress from Forever 21 and my mom's old Calvin Klein black leather boots. The wooden, floral-print heart necklace was a bridesmaid gift from my cousin, Anna, and the rings I have collected over the years.  My hair is in an interesting state today. Overall, today was good - or maybe I should just say I've made it through alright so far. Head up.

Sincerely, Mary Claire

NAIL POLISH

I'm a little bit obsessive about nail polish. I love painting my nails, and I have a massive collection of colors and brands. Nail polish can become ridiculously expensive, so I'm a big fan of buying cheap nail polish. Here are some inexpensive brands of nail polish that are also of good quality.

1. Sinful Colors. These are $1.99 at Target, and come in just about any color. It usually takes two coats to look really good, but they dry pretty fast and last for a while.

2. NYC. I just recently discovered this brand at Target! It's awesome. The shiny top coat runs at about $1, and the colors on the right are about $2. They also make colors in a bottle like this top coat that run at its same price.

 3. Revlon. The standard Revlon nail polish (on the left and the right) runs at $3.99. Unfortunately, it takes a really long time to dry and becomes really sticky after too many coats. The Top Speed polish (in the middle) is $4.54, and it is so much better!

Sincerely, Mary Claire

DAILY MAKEUP

After eight days of attending a new school in which I am (1) not restricted by a uniform and (2) feeling like I should look more than "presentable" every day, I have found a daily makeup routine that works for me. This takes me less than ten minutes each morning.

After years of trying different pencil eyeliners, I have found that this Maybelinne Unstoppable Pencil is the best. This is in Onyx.

Once again, Maybelline makes a great eyeliner product. This is a liquid Line Stiletto in Black. 

 e.l.f. is definitely my favorite inexpensive makeup brand. This primer isn't the absolute greatest, but it works for the time being.

Another e.l.f. product. I use the top left shade to highlight. The other colors I sometimes use if I'm doing a smokey eye. 

This is a L'Oreal product in Black.

This is a liquid Covergirl concealer in Medium Light.

This is a clear lip moisturizer by Clinique. I use it each night before bed and every morning, and it keeps my lips soft! 

I hope these steps and product tips can help you a little!

Sincerely, Mary Claire