Author: chelseawp

White Eyelet and Bright Blooms

Spring is in full swing, I mean just look at those blooms! I paired all my favorite spring trends together for today’s look. Bright colors, eyelet and distressed denim! I’ve been wearing these pieces on repeat this spring and I think they will seamlessly carry me into summer!

Nothing makes a weekend better than the perfect pair of comfy boyfriend jeans. I am unhealthily obsessed with my newest Blank NYC jeans. They are stretchy, comfortable and I think the distressing on them is perfect. I find myself wearing them WAY too much. I would wear them everyday if I could!

When wearing boyfriend denim I think it’s important to pair them with girly pieces. The wedges and boyfriend jean combo is perfect for summer. It gives off a feminine, casual look that can take you from day to night. Finish the look with some fun accessories and you are ready to walk out the door!

shop my white eyelet look:

White Eyelet Tee ($20) / Distressed Denim ($98) / Candy Color Statement Necklace ($27) / Nude Wedges ($59) / similar Pink Bamboo Clutch ($58) / Arrow Cuff ($30) & kate spade jewelry / Sunnies ($165)

BBQ Bound | Get Memorial Day Ready!

Being born and raised in Indianapolis, Memorial Day has always meant a few things to me… The Indy 500, tanlines and backyard barbecues. This year I unfortunately can’t make it back to Indiana to go to the Indy 500, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pick out an outfit for the race! Whether you are spending the long weekend at the race, barbecuing with friends or just soaking up the sun, I’ve got the perfect head to toe looks for you!

I’ve recently discovered this new affordable shopping site called boohoo and ordered this adorable pom pom romper featured below (and the first romper on the left is from boohoo too!). This site is perfect for a girl on a budget like me and they even had 25% off yesterday! They have some really fun, trendy items and I can’t wait to receive this romper below to share with you guys!

shop memorial day outfits left to right:

Accessories– Cat Eye Sunglasses ($34) / Straw Hat ($15) / Watermelon Clutch ($35) / Tassel Bracelets ($32) / Fringe Earrings ($13)

Dresses– Embroidered Romper ($44) / Star Print Chambray Dress ($35) / Pom Pom Romper ($35) / Chambray Embroidered Romper ($52)

Shoes– Blue Criss-Cross Sandals ($56) / Stitched Espadrille Wedges ($80) / Gold Lace-up Gladiator Sandals ($65) / White Espadrille Sandals ($100)

Mascara Reviews | My Top 5 for Your Eyes

Mascara is a big deal to me… I’ll admit it, I’m a snob! On a daily basis, I don’t wear much makeup, but mascara is always a must. I’ve been searching this great country far and wide for the best mascaras and I think I’m finally ready to share my findings with you! Whether you are looking for natural, just curled lashes or sultry betty boop eyes, I have the mascara for you (and how you should be using it!)

Check out my mascara reviews below and share any tips or favorite products you have in the comments!

Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24 Hour Mascara ($49)- This award winning mascara is seriously a secret weapon, but you pay for it! Retailing double that of my other picks below, you can grab a tube of Mirenesse’s iCurl for $49. This mascara is best for lengthening and actually lifting your lashes to that 90 degree betty boop angle. The formula and brush combo slides smoothly through your lashes and builds the length with it’s tube technology that doubles the length of your lashes in a blink of an eye! For best results, Mirenesse suggests pairing it with their iCurl Twin Heated Lash Curler. I have yet to try this, but the reviews are amazing. Best part about this mascara? it lasts for 24 hours! No mess, smudges or raccoon eyes. And no more makeup remover, it comes off easy with warm water!

Laura Geller Beauty GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara ($24)- This GlamLASH mascara is perfect for anyone with fine eyelashes. It is the first mascara I have ever tried that actually finds and lengthens every single tiny lash. Many similar mascaras leave me with smudges, clumps and a mess, but I experienced none of that with GlamLASH. For days when I want a more natural daytime look, I swipe one or two coats of this on and I’m good to walk out the door. Occasionally when I find myself using other lengthening mascaras, I will finish with a swipe of this to separate my lashes and get rid of any clumps, it’s seriously amazing.

Benefit Roller Lash ($24)- This mascara has quickly become the “it” product for your eyes in 2015 and now I know what all the hype is about! In just one coat this mascara separates, lifts and lengthens dramatically (and I mean dramatically!) I wasn’t sure what to expect from this “roller lash”… would the applicator actually move or roll? Well, it doesn’t. It gets it’s name from the “Hook ‘n Roll” technique it uses to grab your lashes and curl them. It has an instant curve setting formula that lasts for 12 hours, leaving you with long, super-natural looking lashes. If your lashes are in the mood for a night out, try using the Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara (reviewed below) after applying the Roller Lash. The results are amazing!

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara ($24)-Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara quickly got overshadowed once the Roller Lash came to town. The benefits over the others? It’s super black, goes on easily and lengthens and separates in just two coats. The downside? I wasn’t a huge fan of the brush applicator. I have pretty short eyelashes (that’s why I love lengthening mascaras so much!) and I found it hard to apply on my short naked lashes and I didn’t get as much curl and height as I expected from Benefit. But once I tried layering it with the Benefit Roller Lash listed above… WOW! I got the best of both worlds! My lashes looked so long, thick and amazing, they almost looked fake! Speaking to the They’re Real on it’s own, I wouldn’t invest in it over my other picks, but if you have the Roller Lash it’s definitely worth pairing them together. I would suggest this duo for any big event, they will not disappoint!

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara ($24)- Not every girl needs her mascara to separate and lengthen, and this Black Magic mascara is for the girl looking for dark, thick lashes. The brush has an extreme curve to it, helping to give you the perfect curl as you apply it to your lashes. And this formulas goes on wet! It’s much creamier than other mascaras I’ve tried and it took me awhile to get used to it. But if you apply from root to tip slowly, the formula sets up a little and gives you an amazing curl, thick dramatic lashes and the blackest of black lashes. This is my go-to mascara to layer with my roller lash for a night out on the town, there is something sultry and mysterious about this mascara that goes great with a smokey eye!

A Walk on the Wild Side- Flamingo Trend

Flamingos make me smile. They always have and always will! That’s why I am thrilled that all my childhood obsession is now a little less dorky and can fall into one of summer’s most playful trends, the tropical flamingo trend!

Lately I’ve been lusting over kate spade’s newest collection featuring “the rare birds of summer”. As always, kate spade finds a way to put a playful twist on her summer collection and these flamingos are almost too much for me to resist! Some of my favorite bags from her new arrivals are shown below. Beyond handbags, there are amazing wallets, phone cases, makeup bags, tees, dresses, etc., all featuring my favorite pink bird!

Although amazing, the price tags are a little high on these handbags considering they are extremely trendy and seasonal. But this collection did inspire me to pull together some amazing flamingo items ranging from jewelry, swim, tops, shoes, tech accessories and more (all with a more reasonable price tag)! I had a ton of fun pulling together these summer ready styles. Hope you enjoy them, happy shopping!

shop the flamingo trend:

flamingo pool float ($30) / flamingo stud earrings ($58) / flamingo print swimsuit ($119) / flamingo print boyfriend button up ($29) / tropical flamingo print mini skirt ($18) / flamingo tank ($30) / flamingo slip-on sneakers ($68) / flamingo iPhone case ($35) / striped flamingo tee ($21) / flamingo printed tee ($12) / flamingo espadrilles ($65)

April Birchbox Review 2015

Birchbox was the first subscription service I ever signed up for and now it’s quite possibly my favorite! I just love receiving this adorable little box every month and seeing what’s inside. Some months are better than others, but I tend to get a ton of use out of the products. And even if it’s not my favorite product, it’s usually handy enough to use for my travels! Check out my April Birchbox Review below and share what you think in the comments!

If you aren’t familiar with birchbox, it’s a $10/month subscription to monthly deliveries of beauty and skincare samples. And don’t forget… they offer boxes for both men and women! It’s truly a mini treat to yourself once a month and it’s a fabulous, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. As an added bonus, birchbox has an amazing rewards program. You get points for each monthly sample you review and each dollar you spend in their shop. 100 points= $10, and those points add up fast!

Check out my April Birchbox Review:

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream
POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette
WEI™ Manuka Bee Venom Mask
Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator
Temple Spa Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm

Have you heard of Whish yet? Well, birchbox has been loving this brand lately! This Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream sample is the third Whish product I’ve received in my birchbox so far. I’ve actually even received this same product in a different scent in a previous box. Thus far, I haven’t been blown away by any of their products. My main issue with this shaving cream is the texture, it doesn’t foam or lather. Therefore, I find myself using much more than I would a traditional lathering shaving cream. On the other hand, one definite perk is my legs actually felt moisturized after shaving. I don’t mean they felt less dry than normal, they actually felt moisturized with no need for any lotion after shaving!

Next to be reviewed is the POP Beauty Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette. I’m a sucker for makeup palettes! I have palettes from a few different brands, but I haven’t heard of POP Beauty before receiving this sample. My sample is a trio of shimmery bronze eye shadows… which is right up my alley! I think the colors are great. They give the perfect amount of shimmer and bronze that can pass for both daytime and evening wear. The colors look great blended together, perfect for everyday use! And the full palette has 36 colors, enough for even the most adventurous girls!

Now for an interesting one, WEI™ Manuka Bee Venom Mask. Yeah you read right, I said bee venom! I am told by birchbox, “the purified venom in this mask is gentle and nourishing, and combines with healing herbs to help to fight wrinkles, correct imperfections, and firm skin.” Not sure what benefits are coming from the bee venom, but I did really love this mask! The texture was more of a heavy cream and left my skin feeling soft, firm and youthful. I’m not sure how long-term these results are, but it’s a great treatment to give your skin a “tune up!”.

Up next is the Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator. Best word to describe this sample? Luminous. I was a little thrown off by the texture of this illuminator. Instead of the expected cream, it was actually a little runny (making it challenging to just get a little out of the sample tube!). I found this illuminator perfect for early mornings. It gives me just the glow I need at that hour in the morning to distract from the large, dark circles under my eyes and it’s super versatile. I use it for my inner eyes, cheek bones, brow bones, etc. It’s lightweight, subtle and goes on smooth, the perfect addition to my summer makeup routine.

Lastly, I’m wrapping up with my favorite sample from this month’s box, Temple Spa Peace Be Still Calming Face & Body Balm. This lotion makes me feel like I just walked into a fabulous spa! The scent of lemon and lavender is so dreamy and soothing. It has an immediate calming effect that lingers, making it great to use right before bed. The texture of the lotion is a bit thicker than I expected, but once it absorbs into the skin, it leaves it feeling softer and smoother than ever! I will definitely be investing my reward points into a full size bottle of this, it’s a must have! (my husband even agrees!)

And that’s a wrap for this month’s beauty samples! Have you heard of any of these brands or tried any of these products before? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Craving more beauty finds? Check out last month’s post, March Birchbox Review, or start getting your own birchbox delivered right to your door!

Our Trip Across the Pond | 2015

We got back from our european vacation about two weeks ago and we are already getting the itch to travel again! I’ve written a few posts on the trip so far, but I wanted to share all the miscellaneous, random fun we had while traveling around Europe. Check out our adventures in each of our stops along the way below!

European Vacation | Paris:

Our first stop on our European Vacation was Paris. We had a fabulous time! Along with eating macarons and pastries at every adorable cafe we passed, we also climbed the steps of the Eiffel Tower, explored the grounds of the Palace of Versailles and saw the Mona Lisa at the Musee de Louvre. To see more of our time in Paris, click through the pictures below and check out my posts at the Palace of Versailles and the Musee de Louvre!

Couldn’t get enough of the French Pastries | Laduree

The golden gates of The Palace of Versailles

The Gardens of The Palace of Versailles

Delicious macaron cocktail from laduree

Paris in Full Bloom

Some delicious macarons from laduree

The fabulous grounds of the Palace of Versaillles

Crossing over one of the bridges into the ile de la cite

Beautiful blooms in from of the Eiffel Tower

The view while climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower

The view of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Square

Selfie at the Palace of Versailles

The enchanting Notre Dame Cathedral

Early morning stroll to get pastries

The Eiffel Tower at Night

Waiting in line bright and early at the Louvre

Reflections of The Louvre

View from the top of the Eiffel Tower

Carousel Rides in front of the Eiffel Tower

View of the sunset from the top of the Eiffel Tower

Admiring the gargoyles on the Notre Dame Cathedral

Arc de Triomphe

European Vacation | London:

One thing we knew how to do in London was eat! We went to some great restaurants and some amazing markets! You can see from my pictures below, I was mostly interested in the sweets (especially the donuts!) We also made the journey to Windsor to check out the beautiful Castle, where the Queen hangs her crown on the weekends. But my favorite part of all was the London Eye. It had the most amazing views of the skyline, Big Ben and all the beautiful bridges! And don’t forget to check out the adorable neighborhood we stayed in on my Notting Hill post!

Hanging out in front of The Parliament

Tempting pastries from the market

Donuts seem to be their specialty in London!

The prettiest (and tastiest) fudge in England

A quick stroll enjoying nature in Hyde Park

Gelato as big as my head!

The grounds of the Windsor Castle

Vanilla, Hazelnut and Blackberry Rose filled Donuts!- Blackberry was my favorite!

The Towers of the Windsor Castle

Jeff and I in front of my favorite bridges to date, the Tower Bridge of London

One of our favorites in London, The London Eye

One of the queen’s guards

Westminster Abbey

The Tower London Bridge

One of the many colorful bridges in London

The Queen is In! Checking out Windsor Castle

The London Skyline

Bright Blooms in Hyde Park

The Tower Bridge of London

Big Ben in all it’s glory

The Queen is In! The beautiful Windsor Castle from afar

Getting on the London Eye

Some irresistable treats from the market

As close as they would let us get to the Queen’s quarters

European Vacation | Scotland:

We ended our trip in the beautiful country of Scotland. We had quite the adventure driving on the left side of the road through mountains. We spent our days exploring the countryside, hanging out in the dreary, but amazing, town of Edinburgh and taking in the sights. Our Scotland adventure was much different than our usual city excursions, but it was a nice break from the hustle and bustle. Check out my pictures from the last leg of our trip below, hope you enjoy them!

Our scenic drive through Scotland

Castle Stalker from afar

One of our pit stops on our journey through Scotland

Steps to the Top of Arthur’s Seat

View of the Edinburgh Castle from Arthur’s Seat

Feeling exremeley outdoorsy

Edinburgh Castle from Arthur’s Seat

Gothic Churches in Scotland

Edinburgh at night

Gothic Churches in Scotland

The medieval town of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle from below

The windy hike up Arthur’s Seat

On the top of Arthur’s Seat

Hiking down to a pebbled beach

The quaint city of Oban

Another adorable cafe in Scotland

Delicious treats in Scotland

Spring Strolls in Notting Hill

One of my favorite areas in London is the neighborhood we stayed in, Notting Hill. It’s an adorable, contemporary neighborhood where the streets are lined with beautiful Victorian homes, trendy restaurants, great shopping and of course the infamous Portobello Road Market!

We were lucky enough to stay in one of these magical Victorian homes in the heart of Notting Hill. It was relaxing to be able to leave the craziness of tourism in the city and come home to this charming community. It even curbed our homesickness and reminded us a bit of the painted ladies in San Francisco. I mean just look how cute these painted doors and tiled steps are, I couldn’t get enough!

One of our favorite things to do in London was exploring the city and finding new food markets. Little did we know, we were staying blocks away from one of London’s most infamous markets, Portobello Road Market. We taste-tested donuts, fudge and other deliciousness from every market we came across. Our favorite market of all ended up being the Borough Market near the London Bridge. Everything we tasted there was primo, we had to go twice because we couldn’t stop thinking about the donuts! I’m already planning my trip back to London, just for the donuts!

shop my notting hill look:

Leopard Mini Skirt- similar here ($50) and here ($20) / Chambray Shirt- similar here ($23) and here ($30) / Leather Jacket- similar here ($40) and here ($24) / Topshop Skater Shoes ($32) / ASOS Slanted Bar Clutch Bag ($27) / Nordstrom BP Heart Sunglasses ($12)

April Rocksbox Review | 2015

Would you love getting sparkly jewelry delivered to your doorstep? Yep, thought so! Time for you to check out Rocksbox! (Use the code chelseabff5 to get your first month free!!)

I’ve had a subscription to Rocksbox for quite a while now. Not every box I’ve gotten has been perfect for me, but I’ve had a lot of fun trying out new designers and styles that are different than what I normally gravitate toward. April’s Rocksbox was no exception! Before I dig into the deets, here’s what Rocksbox is all about…

How it works:

1. BECOME A SHINE INSIDER ($19/month)- Take the style survey and add items to your jewelry Wish List.

2. GET 3 PIECES TO WEAR ON LOAN- Each piece is hand-selected for you based on your style and specific requests. Wear your pieces as much as you want!

3. RETURN ANYTIME TO GET 3 NEW PIECES- Return your Rocksbox pieces anytime and as often as you like. Every set has 3 pieces of designer jewelry, worth an average of $200 per set.

Check out my April Rocksbox:

Perry Street Eve Necklace (retails at $64, member price is $51)– I love this statement necklace! This pendent style is different than any statement piece I have in my collection. Most of my statement necklaces are bib silhouette and multi colored. This couldn’t be more different! I love the teal jeweled broach hanging from this bold gold chain. My only complaint is the condition of the necklace. I’ve never had an issue with this before, but the thick chain was a little banged up… you could tell this guy had been shipped out a few times!

Gorjana Mave Shimmer Mini Studs (retails at $30, member price is $24)- These studs are adorable! For those of you keeping track, I love Gorjana! They make great quality jewelry that lasts and you can be proud to wear! When Gorjana says mini, they mean mini! These earrings were a little small for my taste, but I love the simple design and the versatility. I got a ton of use out of them and loved pairing them back to my other Gorjana pieces.

Kendra Scott Jana Bracelet in Cobalt (retails at $80, member price is $64)- I finally got a Kendra Scott piece in my Rocksbox! I’ve been drooling over the Kendra Scott cuffs for months so I jumped for joy when I saw the Kendra Scott jewel bag in my box! It didn’t end up being one of the cuffs I was dying for, but a pretty cobalt bracelet instead. The bracelet is gorgeous and delicate in person which I loved! But I found it a little tricky to put on by myself so I didn’t get as much use out of it as I hoped.

Are you like me and can’t get enough of Rocksbox? Try checking out last month’s set of jewelry- March RocksBox Review.

Still want more? Sounds like you are ready to get your own Rocksbox! Go to Rocksbox and use code chelseabff5 to get your first month FREE! Enjoy! And please share your thoughts of Rocksbox in the comments below!

Feeling Blue at the Louvre

The Louvre not only houses some of the world’s most famous art, but it’s a work of art itself! I remember sitting in French class in middle school dreaming about the day I would eat a macaron in front of the Eiffel Tower and peer into the glass pyramids of the Louvre. And let me tell you, the Louvre did NOT disappoint… and Mona Lisa says hi!

The weather was so unpredictable on these spring Parisian days so layers were key! Our days were long and consisted of waking up early for coffee and sights, walking around and exploring the city all day and ending the night with drinks and dinner. A coat was necessary for early mornings and night, but when the sun was out it got pretty warm!

This light sweater, coat and tight combination was perfect for Paris’s unpredictable state of mind. I got this bright cobalt blue statement coat right before my trip and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. I don’t have a ton of need for a wool coat in San Francisco, but I definitely got my money’s worth of this one in Europe! Especially since it’s on sale for $40! Check out the rest of the outfit below and share your favorite Paris travel tips in the comments!

shop my look from the louvre:

Blue Wool Coat- similar here (on sale for $40!) / Forever 21 Marled Sweater ($15) / Faux Leather Embroidered Skirt- similar here ($60) and here ($58) / Sam Edelman Booties (on sale for $98!) / Coach Crossbody ($175) / Rocksbox Necklace / BP Sunglasses ($12)

Pink at the Palace of Versailles

Paris might be the most magical place in the world. With the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the moonlight, champagne and macarons served with every meal and of course the pink marbled walls of the Palace of Versailles, what’s not to love? We’ve seen quite a few castles in our travels around Europe and the Palace of Versailles is by far the grandest we’ve laid eyes on!

The grounds were absolutely massive! We spent the whole day wandering around taking pictures and admiring the views. We even got lost at one point! The landscaping was done impeccably, with every swirl and shape perfectly trimmed and ready for a photo op! I love picturing French royalty walking out on their terrace and taking in this view every morning. It was completely breathtaking!

We were not only shocked by the sheer size of the palace, but also by the whole “campus” of Versailles. There were restaurants and cafes (with wifi!), bicycles and boats to rent out and even tourists driving around in golf carts! If you have good eyes you might even be able to spot a couple in my pictures. We spent the whole day exploring, but you could easily spend a week or more at the palace without getting bored! Check out my pictures and share your favorite traveling memories in the comments below!

shop my Palace of Versailles look:

Pink Textured Sweater ($20) / Tan Leather Jacket- similar here ($197) / Black Fringe Trim Mini Skirt (on sale for $20!) / Black Floppy Hat ($28) / Suede Booties- similar here ($98) / Coach Crossbody ($175) / Statement Necklace ($26) / Heart Sunglasses ($12)

shop my white eyelet look:

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shop memorial day outfits left to right:

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shop the flamingo trend:

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Check out my April Birchbox Review:

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European Vacation | Paris:

European Vacation | London:

European Vacation | Scotland:

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shop my notting hill look:

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Check out my April Rocksbox:

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shop my look from the louvre:

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shop my Palace of Versailles look:

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