Summer Fashion Part 2

Each season new trends appear and, this summer, I've seen quite a few pieces on the trend train. Some clothing trends may only be around for a few weeks, but others last months or even years (I'm looking at you 1970s extreme flared bell bottom jeans). I spend most of my free time browsing Pinterest, looking at fashionistas' closets on Instagram (check out SarahBell93x), and online shopping for clothes I truly need but because “I’ll wear it one day with that one thing”. My personal style ranges from sophisticated/casual prep to leggings and a t-shirt, but I’m always on the lookout for new pieces that will push me out of my comfort zone and ultimately to add them to my overwhelming closet.

Here’s my list of must-haves (or at least must tries) for Summer 2014:

Parachute/Linen Pants

Best paired with a relaxed crop top for a comfy, yet put together look or a tight fitting tank/tee

Skater Skirts 

Best paired with a crop top or a light weight tank top

Crop Tops

 Best paired with maxi skirts, high-waist bottoms, or a lightweight cardigan/kimono

High Neck Tanks

Best paired with skinny jeans or cuffed shorts 

*try it tucked in for a less casual look*

Strappy Dresses

Best paired with your favorite statement necklace, wedges/sandals – it’s completely yours to dress up or down making it versatile and a great piece for summer

Bold Printed Pieces

Best paired with a simple statement accessory such as a large clutch or subtle jewelry

Two Piece Sets

Best paired with booties/wedges, arm cuff, or statement accessory

T-strap Metallic Sandals

Can be paired with literally anything! These sandals are basic, yet add just the right amount of flare to any outfit

Statement Earrings

Can be paired with anything to create a unique outfit - HOT TREND this  summer!

Arm Cuffs

Be best paired with strappy tanks or dresses that show off your arms

Colors to lookout for: 

If you’re ballin’ on a budget like most college students, be sure to check out places like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, or Target for dupes of high-end merchandise and, of course, always be on the lookout for sales! Flash Sale Sites such as RueLaLa and HauteLook always have designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. 

XOX & LP,

Kaitlyn 

Summer Fashion

Summer. Shorts. Tanks. Sandals. Swimsuits. That's the typical summer wardrobe, unless you're like me and resort to Norts and baggy Comfort Color tees every other day. I'm here to tell you that there is more to fashion life than shorts and crop tops this summer!

Kimonos

My favorite trend this summer has to be these fabulous outer wear pieces. They can be sheer, printed, or even fringe and they go with everything. I think I have an addiction because I wear one to work almost everyday. I have absolutely fallen in love and you will too!

Only a few of my collection

As you can see, they come in so many different shapes and sizes. They go with anything and can be pared with a maxi dress, V-neck tee and capris, or even as a swim suit cover up.

I have come across most of mine at boutiques, but they're also sold places like T.J. Maxx, Dillard's, and even Walmart.

Shoes

As if this even needs to be said, gladiator sandals and wedges are the shoes of the season. This year, I am typically finding gold, nude, black, and strappy shoes.

Some of my finds so far this summer

Again, T.J. Maxx is legendary, but don't forget to keep an eye out everywhere you go. The black wedges are from Charlotte Rouse and the tribal print are from Target.

Printed/Lace Shorts:

Self explanatory. These are EVERYWHERE this year and they can be dressed up or down to go with anything!

Typically, the more wild the pants/shorts, the calmer and simpler the shirt, or vice versa.

These are just a few of my favorite looks for summer. I hope you've enjoyed them! Be sure to comment and tell me some of your favorite looks or pieces.

XOXO

-Ashely Wewers

Summer Beauty

Summer is all about being carefree and having fun, about trying new things and seeing where life takes you, about experimenting with colors, styles, and products...most importantly, summer is about owning you! This summer, trends are very noticeable, easy to try and easy to make your own. Here's to hoping you find something new in this blog post that's worth a try!

*To the left I am sporting the Pop of Color and to the right mom is sporting the Peek-A-Boo. Also modeled is a version of the beachy waves featured in this article.


Make Up:

Seeing as I work at a makeup store, I am constantly seeing "this season's hottest trends" and learning new color combinations that are always a sure hit. This season's color to try for eyes is blue. My favorite thus far in my search for the perfect blue is Glacier by Merle Norman.

There are always so many different ways to apply eye shadow, especially with such a vibrant color. Here are a few tutorials for you to try:

The All Over Color
          The colors used here are Glacier and Cloud 9 by Merle Norman, but any brand in similar shades can be used. Apply Cloud 9 to the under part of the eye almost as an eyeliner, along the brow bone to highlight, and fading from the inner part of your eye to the middle. Next, apply Glacier by blending through the crease and outer corner of the eye into the middle, opposite of what was done with the Cloud 9. To finish, apply black eyeliner to only the upper lid (another popular trend right now) and two coats of black mascara.

Peek-A-Boo Color
                The colors used are Glacier, Ebony and Ivory, and Oyster. Start by highlighting the brow bone with Oyster. Next, pack on the color by covering 3/4th's of your lid below the crease with Glacier. Blend Ebony and Ivory in your crease, be sure to blend well between the three colors until you reach the desired effect. Complete this look with black eyeliner and two coats of black mascara.

Pop of Color
           This is my personal favorite, and what I wear most of the time. The colors used are Oyster, Glacier, and Ebony and Ivory. Start by highlighting the brow bone with Oyster, then blend Oyster from the inner corner of your eye to the middle. Next, blend Ebony and Ivory into your crease and from the outer corner in toward the middle. Finally, for a pop of color, blend Glacier right above the crease toward the brow bone. I complete this look with Teal Soft Touch eyeliner by Merle Norman, but you can use any color you like. Follow through with two coats of your favorite mascara!

*If blue eye shadow is to far out of your comfort zone, you can always opt for a blue eyeliner or mascara for a more mild and subdued pop of color.

Eye make up is just the tip of the ice burg this season. To continue any of these looks, follow through with bright and colorful lip color. Some of my favorites include A Flare To Remember, Romance, and Bistro Berry by Merle Norman, and Diva by MAC.

Hair:

For summer, I tend to keep my hair light and flowy with beachy waves. The best part about light and loose beachy waves is that they can easily be dressed up with a headband or a little tease at the crown of your head. The best way I have found to obtain these high demand beachy waves are as follows:

1. Wash hair the day or night before you want to style it. If this is not possible, be sure to "dirty" your hair and give it texture with a mouse or dry shampoo.
2. Section hair into three layers.
3. Lightly hairspray each layer.
4. WRAP HAIR AROUND CURLING IRON BARREL. This step is crucial! By wrapping your hair around the curling iron you are getting more of a wave vs. a ringlet.
5. Only hold your hair around the curling iron for 10 seconds as anything longer is just burning your hair.
6. Brush out with finger tips and hairspray all over.
7. Complete the look by adding a head band or any other accessories if your heart desires.

For a different effect (such as what I sported in the picture at the top), make the bottom two layers bigger, and don't curl the top. The key is to just have fun with it and see what works best for you!

Good Luck My Lovelies!
Ashley

Summer 2014... A Summer to Remember!

It is about that time during summer when college students find themselves at a standstill with what to do. Go to the beach? Eh, done it. Swim at the pool? Lame. Shopping? Too bad we're all broke. Even though most everything costs money these days, there are still plenty of FUN things to do to shake up that boring summer routine (and hopefully save you a few bucks, too). I have created the ULTIMATE summer bucket list for you to accomplish with all your friends this year! While some of these things may cost a few dubloons, don't let that stop you for making this summer one to remember.


Attend an outdoor concert. In many cities, there are plenty of little coffee shops and restaurants that have artists playing there for free! While it may cost you a few dollars for coffee or an appetizer, finding opportunities where you can enjoy live, local music is awesome. There are also concerts like Warped Tour that are completely outside, but beware: general admission tickets range from $30-$70 and the concert happens rain or shine.

Bake something. Get your girlfriends together and bake something that you've been dying to try from one of your many Pinterest boards! Have everyone bring one ingredient and all pitch in to bake, but more importantly eat, the yumminess that will ensue. I will definitely be making the delicious Nutella brownies featured below soon (recipe: Chewy Nutella Brownies/).

Go karaoke'ing. Many restaurants and bars have an open karaoke where you don't have to pay anything and get to make a complete fool of yourself for free!

Hit up a local theme park. I know not many people are lucky enough to have a theme park in their backyard, but for those that are, go! I would even buy an annual pass. Theme parks are so much fun with friends, a significant other, families, or whoever! It's a great place to scream your lungs out and just have some good ole American fun. There are also several lesser known theme parks (like Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia or Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California) throughout the country that aren't advertised outside of the local community. Hop on the internet and search around to be sure you're not missing out on one!

Set off fireworks. More good ole American fun! Just remember to be smart and be safe! Plus, there are always random firework shops that have crazy good deals on fireworks in bulk.

Shaving cream Twister. Target and Walmart usually have sales on the game. Then you can go to a dollar store to get the shaving cream. It's such a fun game on a summer day, just be sure to have a water hose nearby! Picture of shaving cream twister featured below.

Volunteer. Summer is one a time when many of us have fewer commitments and lots more free time. Why not use that extra time to go volunteer in a local pet or homeless shelter? Giving to those in need is one of the best feelings in the world and it is an awesome way to meet new people. Though it shouldn't be your only reason for volunteering, those hours also look great on resumes

CRAFT. CRAFT. and craft some more. Whether you craft for your big, little, future little, family, or someone else, crafting is always the answer! I'm actually working on a TON of crafts and DIY things for my future little this summer. You can see some of the ideas I'm getting for my crafts on our Little Problems Tumblr or Little Problems Pinterest. Be sure to submit your works of art to us and you may see them featured

S'mores. Who says you can't cook s'mores in the summer? They're THAT much better on a cool summer evening around a bonfire!

Go to a local carnival, fair, parade, or other event. Most cities have events for holidays or other events (I went to a festival called the Pungo Strawberry Fest a few weeks). Check local calendars for cities surrounding your area and find out what fun events they may be having!

Be sure to check out the next ten ways to make this summer one to remember which will be posted next week. If you have any awesome ideas or pictures of you doing things on your summer list please email any and all to me at kelseyj.litprobs@gmail.com and you just may be featured in the next article! Thanks for reading and HAPPY SUMMER!

Good Mood Playlist

Most of us are feeling pretty optimistic right about now. It's a new year, a new semester, and there are endless possibilities. If you weren't so successful in your classes last year, you now have a fresh start at that 4.0 GPA. Did you go through a bad breakup? Now you have a brand new year to meet new people. Take up a new hobby, learn a skill, or just keep on working towards something you're already involved in. I've put together a fun playlist to accompany you in whatever you set out to accomplish this year. Enjoy!

1. All Night - Icona Pop
2. Happy - Pharrell Williams
3. Pompeii - Bastille
4. You Make Me - Avicii
5. Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men
6. Butterfly - Little Mix
7. Alone Together - Fall Out Boy
8. Burn - Ellie Goulding
9. Dark Horse - Katy Perry
10. Best Day of My Life - American Authors
11. XO - Beyonce
12. Hey Brother - Avicii
13. Chocolate - The 1975
14. Sweater Weather - The Neighborhood
15. Anna Sun - Walk the Moon

Weekly Obsession

Each week, I'll add a little blurb on my current "weekly obsession". This week, it's a mashup by Robin Skouteris. There are many cool mashups out there and the end of a year is a prime time for lots of them to pop up. This is by far the best one I've ever heard. It acts as a sort of best of for pop music throughout 2013. It features 56 songs from all sorts of genres and artists ranging from Justin Bieber to Avicii to Iggy Azalea. The transitions are absolutely flawless and the videos even fit together well, too.  Check it out below. It's ten minutes long, but well worth every second!

xoxo Melissa

How to Make Awesome New Years Resolutions

Hanging out with friends talking about all the amazing memories you have made and all the many many more you will make for the upcoming year. Celebrating with friends and popping a bottle of champagne to ring in the new year. It isn't all about what has come out of this past year, it is mostly about what you want to change or improve for the following year. Weight, love, friend relationships, dietary, studies, being a better you and so many other things are the different new years resolutions people usually make.

Making these resolutions are only half of the challenge. Here are some of the top resolutions: spending time with family and friends, getting fit, quit smoking, enjoying life more, get out of debt, learn something new, help others, and get organized. Thankfully most of this list I am ok on but I know myself and the whole “working out thing” is NOT me. I do feel well.. ok looking in the mirror but there is definitely some room for improvement considering the fact I eat nothing but junk and can’t tell you the last time I have stepped into a gym… and not just to look at the guys and people watch.

The one and only way to stick with whatever awesome new years resolution is, is to keep focused and make reminders. Sticky notes, inspirational pictures, friends who support you in whatever you are doing. Make an inspiration board for yourself. Mine would be of beautiful fit women, and someone else's could be of DIY stuff to do throughout the year. We make our own future and our own year. If we truly wanted to complete our resolution within the new year, the only person stopping you from doing it is you. Get out of your own head and chase after you goal, seriously run towards it and don’t stop. The moment you hesitate or think about stopping everything will go down hill. Girl, you got it within you to complete the resolution you thought about, lets make this year the one we actually complete it!

Happy new year and may the odds of you completing your resolution be ever in your favor. Hope it brings lots and lots of glitter!