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August 19, 2016

Fossil Crossbody Bag + Free People Top

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Top: Free People | Jeans: DL1961 | Shoes: Primark | Purse: Fossil

While I do typically useRent the Runway for dresses most of the time, that is not all that they have.

When I came across this Free People top, I though it looked unique in a way that piqued my intrigue.

Despite the fact that I was actually getting ready to cancel my Rent the Runway Unlimited subscription, and only rent something when I really needed, I figured just one more time wouldn’t hurt! Besides, it really goes with the vibe of the crossbody bag that I got from Fossil.

Although, the style of the Fossil crossbody bag isn’t exactly my choice for everyday, it’s definitely a nice piece to use from time to time.

Add the shoes that Gabby of First & Warren said I had to get during one of our Primark excursions and the DL1961 jeans that I’ve been wearing quite frequently, and you have a chic yet minimalistic look with a whole lot of style!

Photos by Miranda Mu.

August 18, 2016

June 2016 Loves

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June was a really good month for me product wise. I didn’t buy a lot or spend a ton. But, I won a few things. Bought a couple of quality things. Saved a ton. And received samples that replaced some past faves.

My June 2016 loves pretty much made the start of my summer one worth blogging about! I mean, it’s hard not to be excited to hit the beach (which I have still yet to really do) with sunglasses and espadrilles.

The espadrilles were such a deal! I had stopped by the Cotton x Rue La La Pop-Up Shop on Newbury with the intension of meeting up with friends and maybe snapping a few pics in the photo booth. When I saw the Soludos espadrille flats, for under $30, I knew there was no way I would be leaving without them. Except, I had to because they were samples. But, I didn’t leave before placing an order for them.

Bioderma was what I considered to be luxury micellar water. I felt that it did the same thing as the cheaper ones, and the only difference was the cost. That is, until I received it as a press sample to try and I take it all back! Bioderma is 1000x better. Zero oily feeling and cleans off waterproof makeup like you wouldn’t believe. I don’t even rinse my face after!

After being mildly curious about Smith & Cult’s nail polish for the longest, I went to Bluemercury in Boston to finally get it in The Bee Side. It was suggest as one of the nail polish shades you needed for summer on some email I got and I really wanted to try it anyways. I already knew I liked their lip gloss. Now I know that I also like their polish.

Follain is quickly becoming a second home for me. Finds like RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Diabolique are why I hardly ever have any extra spending money. SO worth it!

This isn’t my first time sharing about these shades on Twenty Something Plus. I got them back in June and they are my favorite pair of sunglasses. And, unless I get a pair of Prada ones, I’m sure they will be for a very long time.

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August 16, 2016

Exuviance Retexturing Treatment

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When I was in high school I wore long sleeves and jeans, most of the time. Not for any religious reasons or anything like that, which would be one thing, but I just lacked the confidence to show any skin.

And that was when my skin was pretty much still in it’s peak condition.

I’ve since outgrown that.

But, now that I am older, so is my skin.

Trying different skincare products is something that I do to cope with aging. Cleansers, micellar waters, creams…

I had NEVER tried an exfoliating moisturizer before.

Or even heard of one.

Exuviance is a luxury skincare brand that I’ve tried products from before. I love their oxygen facial mask. So much so, that I decided to start using their retexturing treatment.

My original plan was to share before and after pictures, but the real difference is in the way my skin feels.

After using the treatment for not even a full week, my skin felt noticeably smoother. I can’t wait to see the difference with continued use.

If you see me overly touching my arms or legs, you are more than free to judge me. But, only after you feel them for yourself!

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August 12, 2016

Bellbrook Backpack

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Beacon Hill is my favorite area to hang out in Boston.

On Charles Street alone there’s Follain, Tatte, Crane & Lion, The UPS Store (which I frequent for Rent the Runway purposes)…

Plus, it’s just a short walk away from Boston Public Garden. Which is the perfect place to brush up on my photography skills.

My obsession with Jo Totes basically started the second I learned to shoot in manual. I mean, a purse that doubles as a camera bag? Genius.

But since I already had a camera bag. And more than my fair share of purses, I showed restraint. Then I found out about the Bellbrook Backpack and lost it!

I’ve never really been a back pack person. But, after one too many times of bringing my rather bulky messenger style camera bag on the Red Line, I knew something had to be done.

What I love about this backpack is that it’s big enough to carry what I need for a day shooting photos around Boston. There are compartments for everything. It holds what I need, without the unnecessary bulk. And it has easy access side pockets. If you’re looking for a multi-purposeful camera bag, then you seriously need this!

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Photos by Miranda Mu.

August 11, 2016

Styled by 5 Featuring PinkBlush

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Each month myself and four other boss blogger babes have been styling the same piece of clothing and since we all look and think differently from each other (hair, religion, location, skin, size, height, style…all of the above), you’ll get five totally different looks. That means you’ll get to see what I style, on other body types so you can find something that is best for you!

While Kaylynn was pregnant, she did a series on her blog, Among the Young, where she would wear non-maternity clothes. Even when she was very much so ready to pop, she looked absolutely fabulous!

Well, this is kind of like the opposite of that.

PinkBlush carries both non-maternity and maternity clothing for women. However, Deidre, Kaylynn, Jacque, Lauryn and I each styled this royal blue floral short sleeve maternity dress. Before you get any ideas, this is NOT a pregnancy announcement. I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about wearing a dress like this. But then, I got more compliments while taking photos for this blog post than any other outfit! Random strangers would pass by and say how beautiful it was.

It also didn’t hurt that it is super comfortable and had pockets. Because those are both very important details.

While white accessories go really well, the next time I wear my PinkBlush maternity dress, ankle boots will probably be involved.

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Photos by Miranda Mu.

August 1, 2016

Dainty Little Reminder

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Jeans: Gap (similar) | Top: Forever 21 | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar)
Necklace: The Dainty Pear | Sunglasses: Foster Grant (similar)
Hair: Queen of Wigs (Look out for that blog post later!)

There are some days that getting up and starting my day is hard.

Those days are the days I find myself questioning, regretting and worrying about decisions I’ve made. Comparing my progress to where others are in their life. Feeling like nothing I do is good enough, so why bother.

Anxiety has that effect.

I don’t stand by any one way to cope, everyone is different. For me, therapy was helpful and mind over matter helps. Not always, but sometimes.

Thanks to The Dainty Pear, I now have a dainty little reminder that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have wanted a bar necklace for awhile, but this one is a bit more special. It’s hand stamped and custom made.

I cannot get enough of it, this necklace means SO much and goes with literally everything! I’ve already been wearing it on repeat, so prepare to see a lot of outfits topped off with this.

This outfit in particular is great for when you don’t know what to wear. You really can’t ever go wrong with a blouse and jeans. You can dress them down with Converse or a pair of Birkenstock sandals. And up with a pair of heels, like I did.

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July 29, 2016

DIY Clip-In Extensions

When it comes to hair, I can do a ponytail and that’s pretty much it.

That being said, my hair isn’t long enough for me to really do anything with, so I wear clip-in extensions 99.9% of the time.

It’s not that I have any problem with short hair. After all, I loved how I looked when I shaved all my hair off. And, when it grew back a little, I sported a super cute pixie. Right now though, my it’s just at this kind of awkward length, that I don’t know how to deal with.

This is my ponytail before:

This is my ponytail after:

On the other hand, clip-ins can be expensive, so after my sister (who can actually do hair) gave me a set of clip-ins that she’d made (yes, made!), believe me, I was PUMPED.

Then summer came.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the summer.

But, the sun changes my hair color and the extensions no longer matched. I needed a slightly lighter color and figured I could try my hand at making them myself.

I was able to grab all the supplies I needed (and then some) from Sally Beauty Supply for under $75!

Making clip-ins requires basic sewing skills. Other than that the steps are pretty simple.

Measure.
Cut.
Attach clips. (This is where the sewing comes in.)

If you are using any type of hair other than 100% virgin, you can NOT bleach it. I found this out the hard way. No mermaid ombre hair for me…

For more beauty secrets, make sure to follow Sally Beauty on Instagram!

July 26, 2016

Namaste

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Sports Bra: Intouch Clothing | Leggings: Intouch Clothing | Yoga Mat: Gaiam (similar)

Whenever I talk about fitness, I pretty much blab on about running and my on-again, off-again relationship with it. I typically run when I’m stressed. To avoid stress, I turn to yoga.

Even though yoga is a constant in my life, I don’t share about yoga as much because I don’t think I’m very good at it. And I’m probably not. But I enjoy practicing and find it comforting.

Hopefully, my very basic yoga skills are enough to encourage others (maybe even you?) to give yoga a try.

Since I learned that Boston offers a decent number of free yoga classes and I plan to go to as many as I possibly can.

Namaste, y’all!

All photos in this post are by Miranda Mu.

July 14, 2016

Styled by 5 Featuring Goldie’s

On a hot summer day it’s nice to have a dress that’s airy. This Whimsical Floral Dress from Goldie’s that Deidre, Kaylynn, Jacque, Lauryn and I styled this month is so great for days when it’s so hot that you just can’t even.

Maybe because it’s July. Maybe because I didn’t already have an outfit with patriotic colors picked out to watch the fireworks on Independence Day. I don’t know. But, for some reason I feel the strong need to go red, white and blue.

This isn’t your standard holiday dress by any means. Yet, when paired with red heels, it works.

I initially wasn’t going to wear a belt. It felt like it was missing something to balance out the pop of the shoes. The belt helped to even out the look a little up top.

Don’t forget to check out how the other ladies are keeping it cool for the summer in this dress!

July 7, 2016

Hot Iron Holster

I have a question for you.

Where do you put your hair straightener or curling iron, while you’re doing your hair?

Embarrassingly enough, in the past I’ve used everything from a towel to a plate. Yes, the kind you eat off of…

I have to admit that for the longest time, I’d wished for something that I could use that was not only heat resistant, but wasn’t intended for something else.

When I learned about the Hot Iron Holster, to say I wanted to test it out would be a major understatement. It is exactly what I’d been wishing for, and then some!

My vanity feels a little more complete. I can fit my Hot Iron Holster right over the edge. And I’ve been storing my straightener inside the holster when it’s not in use. What I really like about it is that it’s safe to use even with a hot flat iron.

Since my vanity is really just a table, I don’t have drawers. So, the Hot Iron Holster has really been a big help storage wise as well. I’ve been needing a new hair dryer, and when I finally get one, I’m thinking I may need to get another holster…