BE INSPIRED

 

Pearls on the Pamlico

As a full time teacher and part time blogger, I can honestly say every single day I am inspired. I am inspired by my students, my coworkers, my fellow bloggers, and even random people I come across. That’s how I got started with this whole blogging thing anyway. I was inspired by my friend Holly (Make Today a Hollyday). 💓 One thing this blog has allowed me to do is connect with people ALL over the world, whether they are teachers, bloggers, designers, etc. I have met some incredibly amazing people. But today I have to share this story because I was exceptionally inspired. A few days ago I reached out to a random jewelry brand I found on Etsy, because as you know I’m a shopaholic. This particular designer makes the prettiest necklaces I’ve ever seen with the most unique and beautiful beads. Anyway! We started talking and I found out she was from NC too... Actually only a few hours away. Long story short, we talked and decided to collaborate. Fast forward a few days... I got home from work today to a package FULL of beautiful necklaces and THE MOST inspiring handwritten letter I’ve ever gotten. Turns out, she was a teacher for 24 years, then an administrator, and now designs this beautiful jewelry part time 😍 I mean I’m just in absolute awe of how kind people can be and how just the smallest Instagram message reaching out can make such an impact. Her necklaces are all under $50 and truly one of a kind! 

I say all of this to say- TAKE A CHANCE, reach out, make new connections, try something new! You just never know what opportunities are out there and what impact the people you meet may have on you or vice versa 💓

NEXT WEEK- I will be featuring one of these necklaces each day! So don’t miss out! However- I highly highly encourage you all to head to this link and check out her beautiful Pearls on the Pamlico designs now 👉🏻 HERE

UPDATED Statement Earring Collection

My UPDATED Statement Earring Collection

If you've been following along with me for a while, you know I LOVE statement earrings. In fact, I collect them! What do you guys collect?! Leave a comment below, I'd love to know. 

Last year, I shared my entire statement earring collection with you guys and it was so fun putting everything together! Since I've collected so many more fun styles over the last several months, I decided to do an updated post for you today! 

First things first, THIS JEWELRY ORGANIZER is my favorite Amazon purchase I've ever made. It's so pretty to look at and it holds SO many pairs of earrings. I just actually ordered another one because as you can see mine is overflowing a bit. If you're a jewelry love like me (or even makeup lover), you need this organizer! 

SO... Where Do I Buy My Earrings?

1. My number one place to shop statement earrings is Allie Beads! They have always been a personal favorite brand of mine and the majority of my statement earrings are designed by them. They are the BEST quality and they always have the most fun designs. 

2. Kendra Scott is another personal favorite! You can shop all of my recent Kendra favorites HERE.

Speaking of Kendra Scott, they are having a HUGE buy one get one 40% off sale right now and today is the last day. Be sure to shop that sale HERE!

3. Anna Cate Collection also started designing earrings and they are absolutely beautiful. You can shop her collection HERE. Be sure to use code ADDIE15 at checkout when shopping these! 

4. Some also come from Amazon. You can shop all of my Amazon favorites HERE. 

I also grab them here and there from designers I come across on Instagram or small boutiques. Be sure to follow along on Instagram because usually when I find a new pair, I share where they are from and a discount code for you guys to use.

Let me know if you have any questions about any specific pair! 

Every Day Beauty Favorites: Splurge & Save

 Updated Every Day Beauty Favorites!

First and foremost... sorry I've been super MIA on here! I feel like unless I have things to share that require a lot of detail like this that it's more convenient for you guys for me to just post on Instagram and in the LTK app! However, I've recently gotten a lot of requests to share my updated every day beauty routine so I figured it was probably time. While I try to always save on the products I post, sometimes I just have to splurge... especially when it comes to beauty products that are SO worth it. My every day hair and makeup favorites are about half splurge, half save. I thought about posting a "save" alternative to all of my "splurge" products but I want to share the products that I actually use on a daily basis so I didn't think that made much sense. So with all of that being said... here we go! 

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ALL OF THEM!

1. Loreal Infallable Pro-Matte Foundation: SAVE

So I used to use the Estee Lauder Double wear foundation (which is like 4x the price) but one day, I was reading reviews from some of my favorite makeup bloggers and I saw that a lot of them suggested this! I immediately went to the store to try it and have used it every day since! It feels super lightweight but gives you a ton of coverage, which is what I like. If you don't like heavy coverage, this probably isn't for you. It stays on SO WELL and it's so worth trying if you're using an expensive foundation! The exact color that I use is "102 Shell Beige."

2. Kristen Ess Purple Shampoo- SAVE

Yall this stuff has CHANGED the tone of my hair. So despite what Maddie (my hair dresser) does to tone my hair, after about 3ish weeks it starts to turn golden blonde because of my natural hair color. However, all I have to do is use this stuff one time and it turns it right back to the ashy blonde shade that I leave the salon with! It's SUCH a good purple shampoo and way better than any of the super expensive stuff I have tried. I use it about every 4-5 days! 

3. Loreal Infallable Pro-Matte Powder- SAVE

This is the best powder if you like an overall matte look like I do! I wear it over top of the Loreal foundation I just talked about and love it just as much. I rarely have to do touch up's at all. The exact color that I use is "300 Nude Beige." 

4. Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow- SPLURGE

I just think these are the prettiest eye shadow palettes! Despite my love of color, I keep it super neutral when it comes to eyeshadow. The colors that I wear every day in the palette are "Barely Baked, Angel Fire, Reputation, and Distilled." I love all of them but those are the 4 I use on a regular basis! 

5. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer- SPLURGE

I don't know what else to say other than, WORTH EVERY PENNY. I have tried all kinds of concealers and I just always go back to this one. It's so good for hiding all kinds of blemishes and dark under eyes! The exact shade I use is "light sand."

6. Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara- SPLURGE

Yes, I did used to have lash extensions and like once a month you'll catch me in fake lashes but 99% of the time, this is all I'm wearing! I'm very blessed with good natural lashes but I seriously swear by this mascara. I have tried SO many different ones and this is my favorite I've ever used! SO worth the money. 

7. Virtue Split End Serum- SPLURGE

One of my best friends told me about this stuff a few years ago because it seriously changed the texture of her hair! Then my hair dresser started carrying it last year so I started using it on a regular basis too! It's AMAZING. I have naturally super thin hair that breaks SO easily... which is why I have started keeping it cut short. As bad as I hate to say it, I'm just not made for long hair 😭 My front pieces break off worse than the rest and this stuff has made SUCH a difference. I only use a dime size each time so it lasts forever. I also only use it about once or twice a week! 

8. Too Faced Contour Palette- SPLURGE 

 This is truly the only contour palette I've ever really loved with my skin tone! Even when I have a spray tan and no matter how much I blend, some of them are just too harsh and dark on my skin. However, I absolutely love this one and have been using it for about 5 years now! 

9. Urban Decay Highlighter- SPLURGE

 WORTH EVERY PENNY! It's so pretty and just gives you the best highlight. I only use it under my eyes and above my cupid's bow! It shows up SO well in pictures too. 

10. Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner- SAVE 

I've been using this eyeliner since MIDDLE SCHOOL and have never once switched over to anything else! I don't wear any liner on the top, only the bottom. I have NO issues with this smearing, ever. It's truly the best and so affordable! 

Shop all of them here in the LTK app!