Modernly Retro

Lately I've noticed so many ads and products are going seriously retro. Mostly in the '50s era, but sometimes they are a combination of that decade with the '60s, '70s, and '80s. I realize the whole it's-cool-to-be-thrifty-and-wear-your-parents'-clothes-from-college thing has been going on for a while now, but lately I think the advertising and design world has been catching onto those ideas. Take a look:


Vera Bradley's fall ad - how old school is that station wagon??

De'Longhi kMix coffee maker

Pottery Barn Kids pink retro kitchen - I actually think this is super cute!

Pepsi & Mountain Dew throwback series

 

Shabby Apple's vintage Madison Avenue dress
(the new online boutique you see ads for on like every single blog)

...and I'm sure AMC's hit show Mad Men has something to do with the trend

What's your take on the "new" retro style? Do you like the idea of redesigning an old style or do you think it lacks originality? What other things have you noticed that have "gone retro?"

Now that it's chilly...



...I am excited to wear some of these fun colder weather accessories!

Boots & Sweaters

via The Pretty Life Anonymous

via Forever21



via Amazon (I own these and love them!)



Fun tights



via Real Simple

Scarves

via World Market  

via Anthropologie

Pea Coats

via Loft

What are your go-to chilly weather staples?

Handbag Search

As fall approaches, I've been searching for a new handbag. My current purse has colorful flowers all over it... I think I'm breaking the Labor Day rule every time I take it somewhere. I want something simple, one that I can wear with black and brown, and large enough to hold all my stuff. I'm thinking a pretty gray or camel color. Here are some of my finds!



the Scout by Big Buddha, $90

beige hobo satchel at MG Collection, $25.50

Could I get away with wearing this brown purse with black?

Rose handbag by Fash, $23

I know I said I wanted it to be black/brown compatible, but who could not love this black and gold combo??

LUCCA black satchel by MG Collection, $35.50

I just love this woven look!

Urban Expressions Woven Satchel at DSW, $60

Which color do I pick?

Faux crocodile print satchel by NY&Co, $45

Flyer convertible satchel by Steve Madden, $50

And this not necessarily a purse but I just liked it... It's the perfect carry-on tote - expands for more storage!

Reisenthel Expandable Tote Bag, $25



Happy Mum Earrings

Aren't these earrings just happy? Well, the fact that they are FREE should make you happy, too! I ordered some today from Groopdealz, a website that has the same concept as Groupon and LivingSocial. These cute earrings are from an Etsy shop called FancyFab. The best part about it was that it was only $2.75 for 2 pairs of earrings!! Literally the earrings are free, and all you have to pay is shipping. It is Groopdealz's 1 year anniversary, and they decided to give everyone a gift! How fun is that?

I bought hot pink and white. What colors are you going to get?

Happy Friday!

My Favorite Lips

Lip gloss. Lip balm. Chapstick. Lipstick. Lip plumpers. If you are a girl, I'm sure you've tried them all, trying to find the best one. It is a challenge indeed. I want to share with you some of my favorites, in hopes to help you not waste any more money on trying out products! As a disclaimer, I prefer my lips to feel lightweight rather than sticky. So if you love really glossy lip glosses, this post may not be the best product review for you.

Carmex Moisture Plus

I love that this product gives your lips a glossy look and feel, without being too much. I am not too crazy about true lip glosses that feel heavy and sticky. This is lightweight and gives your lips a slight shine as well as sun protection with SPF 15. When I looked this up on the website, I just saw they now have 2 new colors added. I will have to check those out soon!

Softlips

I have used this lip balm for years. Really. It is the most lightweight out of anything I've tried. It really does make your lips soft! I have tried the colors and I'm not too crazy about them because the product feels entirely different, a little too thick. If you're looking for something to always keep on hand in the winter for chapped lips, and in the summer for sun protection (has SPF 15), this stuff is great. My favorite flavor is vanilla.

Covergirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm

This is my favorite lipstick by far! It feels like a chapstick but gives you the color and shimmer of lipstick and lip gloss combined. It is perfect for the low-maintenance girl who wants to get glammed up. Also has SPF 15. The color I've picked is Pinot 245 and I love it. It is not extreme, so if you're looking for a bright color or something that will really stand out, this may not be your lipstick.

Some products I've tried and disliked are:
Nivea "A Kiss of Smoothness" - this tube looks like a gluestick and feels like one. Too thick and did not make my lips feel moisturized, but like the moisture was sucked out of them.

Anything Chapstick - Now, I can't vouch for their newer products, because I haven't tried them in a while. But anytime I have bought Chapstick I've disliked how it makes my lips feel. I've also heard that the product in it actually dries your lips out to make you continually need to put on more. That's how I feel when I wear it, so I wouldn't be surprised if that was true.

I hope these tips have been helpful!! If you have any favorites please feel free to share.

I love trying out new lip products!

It's Beach Time!

We're leaving for Ocean Isle Beach today with Michael's family! I'm so excited for Michael to have some time off work and just to enjoy the gorgeous weather and relaxing ocean shore. Here's just a few things I'll be bringing:

Trader Joe's green salsa

My new shades from Forever

To get my tan on

My goal is to read this before I see the new movie version

Now I'm off to have some fun in the sun! I sure hope
you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.