Livie & Luca Back to School Campaign

It is very sad to say that summer is almost over. If you’re like me you are in a lot of denial that in two weeks you are going to be back to living in a shoebox sleeping in a twin bed.  Back to school commercials and campaigns always seemed corny and repetitive to me. However, this school year the clothing company Livie & Luca came up with a great idea that I love.

(Photo from http://www.livieandluca.com)

Their ads feature Cora Slocum, who is a four-year-old who has down syndrome. The company teamed up with Challenging the Face of Beauty, which is a non-profit that encourages using people with disabilities in advertising and media.

(Photo from http://www.livieandluca.com)

Cora is part of the #IMGOINGBACKTOSCHOOLTOO, which is kids sharing their pictures about getting ready to go back to school. The reason I thought this was so great is because you can see how happy Cora is to participate in it. Sadly, it is said that less than 13% of campaigns are used with people with disabilities.

(Photo from http://www.livieandluca.com)

Check out Livie & Luca

What to Wear to Every Type of Wedding

About two months ago, my cousin got engaged and in a few short weeks, it’s his wedding.  My first thought, when I heard that he was getting married was, "Well, it's about time!" but my second thought was, "What in the world am I going to wear?"Formal Wedding

Formal Wedding

(Image from lookbook.nu)

With formal weddings, my advice is to dress sophisticated. What I love about this dress are the accessories. This dress not only has the gorgeous cut-out waist, but it also has the gold accessories, which make this outfit stand out.  

Dress

Necklace

Clutch

Beach Wedding

(Image from lookbook.nu)

Even though people say never wear white to a wedding, a beach wedding is one of the venues at which wearing white is acceptable and looks good. White is a great color on a beach, and it also protects you from the sun.

White Dress

Sun Hat

Backyard Wedding

(Image from lookbook.nu)

The best dress to wear to a backyard wedding is a sundress. The reason being is that unless it is early June or late October, you are going to be very warm. Also, sundresses are adorable! Do I need to say more?

Sundress

City Wedding

(Image from lookbook.nu)

Even though people wear dresses to 95% of weddings, that does not mean it's weird to wear pants to a wedding. This outfit is great because she's wearing black, but complimenting it with a colorful, happy top.  

Jacket

Tank

Pants

Urban Outfitters

Boho Wedding

(Image from lookbook.nu)

I love boho weddings, and if I ever get married, it's going to look like something from the “Free People” bridal catalog (Does that exist?). With boho, you can wear whatever floats your boat.  Play with colors and hues to find what would look best. Pick a dress or palazzo pants that have many different colors in them.  

Boho Dress

Destination Wedding

(Image from lookbook.nu)

With destination weddings, it's best to wear an easy, no-stress dress. The reason being is that in the morning of the wedding, you’re going to have to be figuring out how to charge your phone using the outlet converter. You also don't want to worry about having a wrinkled dress, but no iron.  

Dress

Frankie & Albert Review

This past month I received A Frankie & Albert box and was more than excited about its arrival.  Frankie & Albert is a new company, that is a subscription service that sends you vintage items every month.  What makes Frankie & Albert different from any other home goods service is they send you vintage thrift store finds. 

What's Inside

The packaging is very unique, every item is wrapped as if you where finding something in a museum.      What I really liked about the first set of homewares was how unique everything looked and was made very well.  The plate is not something for eating but a great plate for me to put my rings and earrings on when I'm not wearing them.  The two circles with stamps on them are coasters that are very cool, but I would be afraid of using them because I felt like the condition from my class would wreck the stamps.  

 Glassware

There is nothing I love more than a small jar.  The reason being is if something is smaller then my nail pretty much I always lose it.  The best thing about this little jar is it has a cork stopper to stop anything from falling out.  The glasses are very unique.  The olive color is great for a fall day with a cold drink.  

Wall Elephant

This was possibly my favorite part of the box and not just because I love elephants.  Like small items, my keys are a constant thing that are MIA from my life.  This is the perfect thing to put on your wall and hang your keys and is also adorable.  

Use the code DONTBECOMMON10 to get 10% off your order!

Starbox Review

What is Starbox?

Starbox is a little different than other beauty boxes out there. The difference is, not only does it give you makeup samples, but it also gives you gift cards to buy other things. Starbox only costs $12 a month and you get over a one hundred dollar value.

What's Inside?

 Gift Cards

Included in my star box was three gift cards from starlooks, Britta Ambauen, and Kinsman Swim.   The Starlooks card was a $20 value, starlooks is a cosmetics company which has about the same prices as department store makeup.  Britta Ambuen is this gorgeous jewelry company, and in the box there was a $15 dollar gift card.  Kinsman Swim was a $50 gift card off each item that is in your cart.  

 Makeup 

There were three makeup samples in my Starbox: an eyeliner pencil, lip gloss, and blush. I usually am not happy when I get an eye pencil because I never wear eyeliner, but last night, I was watching an episode of The Astronaut Wives Club and was obsessed with Trudy's (Odette Annable) eyeliner line. The second item was a mini lip gloss. This shade of gloss is great. One problem with lip gloss is when it doesn't show up or it shows up way too much.  This lip gloss is great because it is a great medium color and is not too watery. The rose gold  blush is great because it is nice and light. I'm always more of a fan of powder blush rather than a liquid. 

Printed Shorts You Need In your Closet

Shorts, I feel, are the most overlooked bottom of summer.  Everyone loves skirts and dresses, but people see shorts as taking it easy and not dressing up.  Here are a couple of shorts that will take this underrated garment to the next level this summer.

Vintage Print

Vintage print shorts are a very hard find. Most shorts in popular stores are denim and khaki. When trying to find a cute pair of vintage shorts, look at your closest second-hand store or ask your mom. Yeah, I'm not kidding; you never know what she might have that she will never wear again.

Vintage Shorts

Floral

Sunflowers are possibly my favorite flower this summer.  They are bright, and I think people look happier when they’re around sunflowers.  

Floral Shorts

Checkered 

These shorts are perfect for anyone that has a little hipster in them.  These retro shorts are perfect for a night out.

Checkered Shorts

Tropical

Whether you are vacationing in Hawaii or going to the movie in the middle of Idaho, these shorts are great.  What I love with these shorts is that you can match them with just a plain white tee.  If you want to make it look a little fancier, wear a white button-down tank.

Tropical Shorts

Lace

In my opinion, finding a pair of great lace shorts is better than winning the lottery.  Well, maybe a scratch ticket; I would love to have $90 million in my bank account.  My advice is look at your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

Lace Shorts

Rainforest 

Even though these are technically pants.  I just love the print.  What is great is these pants have so many colors that it makes finding a matching top easy.  Also, I just loved this outfit as a whole.  Many bucket shorts tend to follow your natural waistline (where your belly button is).  My advice? Wear a crop top with your bucket shorts.

Rainforest Shorts

5 Key Buys Of Summer

Striped Tee

For some reason, people tend to avoid stripes because they think that they are unflattering.  To be honest, that couldn't be further from the truth.  This summer everyone should buy a striped shirt because it is the perfect thing to wear when you are running low on time and need something comfortable and easy to wear.

Striped Tee

Lace-up Sandals

Even though I love my $5 flip flops these lace up sandals are a must for this summer.  They are the perfect shoes to wear when you are having a casual day but also want to look a little dressy.  

Lace up

Palazzo Pants

I can not explain how much I love Palazzo pants.  Not only are they super comfortable but they are also adorable.  Palazzo pants are perfect for cooler summer days.  Tuck a tank top into the pants and bring a sweater in case you get cold throughout the day.  

Palazzo Pants

Fringe Bag

Even though people may think this trend has come and gone, it is still a staple in summer fashion.  This is the perfect bag because it is very easy-going and not badly structured.  What I mean is that the bag flows with the wind or away from whichever direction you are going, unlike many bags that sometimes look out of place in the summer.  

Fringe Bag

Crop Top

This one is possibly the most important piece of clothing to have in your closet this summer.  Crop tops are more popular than ever. Also, they are perfect to wear with a high waisted pair of shorts or a skirt.  

Crop Top

Summer Dresses

Flower Power

There is no bigger print this summer than floral print. In my opinion, when you wear printed flowers, go with a medium to small print. Sometimes large flowers get cut off in the seams and look out of place.

Flower Dress

Emerald

I absolutely love emerald, and not just because I'm a little obsessed with The Wizard of Oz.  Emerald is a great color because it looks great on everyone.  Everyone has a different hair color and skin color, but emerald is a color where, no matter who the person is, it always looks great.

Emerald Dress

White and Lace

I absolutely love emerald, and not just because I'm a little obsessed with The Wizard of Oz.  Emerald is a great color because it looks great on everyone.  Everyone has a different hair color and skin color, but emerald is a color where, no matter who the person is, it always looks great.

White Lace Dress

Baby Blue

Baby blue is possibly the best summer color to wear to an event by the water.  Baby blue looks simple, but it is also an extremely flattering color.  When you are wearing a light color like this, don't go overboard with accessories.  Keep it natural and pair this dress, for example, with a neutral-colored sandal.  

Blue Dress

Striped

This is the classic sailor dress with a little twist.  Stripes are one of the staples of this summer’s fashion.  

Striped Dress

Vintage

Even though the new model twin set outfits are all the rage, it does not mean that vintage is not just for hipsters.  Vintage dresses are perfect to wear this summer.  My advice when trying to find a great vintage dress is to take time to look through a consignment store.  Even though it may take hours to find a great dress, chances are, you'll find gold.  

Vintage Dress

Perrywinkle 

This is one to the most underrated colors out there.  It is a mix between purple and blue and it could not be more flattering.  

Perrywinkle Dress

Sweet Summer Style

Classic Black Maxi Dress

A maxi dress could not be more of a key staple of your summer wardrobe this year.  It is the one very comfortable piece of clothing that you can take from 8 am to midnight.  It just depends on how you style it.

Black Maxi Dress

Peach Beach Dress

This is the perfect dress to wear to the beach.  The reason being is that putting on a pair of shorts when your bathing suite is too wet gives you kind of an embarrassing wet spot.  This dress is very flowy from the top to the bottom, so you are less likely to get it wet.

Peach Dress

Jean Everything

A jean jacket or a button down is the perfect thing to keep in your car during the summer.  Jean is kind of perfect because it’s warm, not too heavy, and most importantly, adorable.  

Jacket

Perfect Boho Dress

Summer gets hot, and sometimes it’s best to just throw on a dress and call it a day.  The best thing is this dress gives you the perfect excuse to rock the flower crown and some heart shaped aviators.

Boho Dress

Palazzo Plants

Palazzo pants are possibly my favorite new pants, even though my dad always says I look like a hippie when I wear them. Palazzo pants are perfect for those nights on the beach. Not only do they keep you warm, but also they keep the bugs off of you.

Palazo Pants

The Astronaut Wives Club Review

Last Thursday, while I was waiting to watch Rookie Blue, I caught my first glimpse at this new show called The Astronaut Wives Club.  

The Plot

I’m a little bit of a history nerd, but add a little scandal, and I’m pretty much addicted.  This show has a little bit of the best of both.  You get to learn a little about the space race, which was not taught in the school I went to.  But you also get to get the story of the wives that went through this with their husbands.  The Astronaut Wives Club is a 10 episode mini series that you should start watching right away, in my opinion.

What I Loved

The Writers and Cast

The best parts of the show are the writing and the cast.  The writing is impeccable because I feel that, as the audience, you really get to know the characters and how they feel throughout the experience.  Every wife experiences her husband going to space and the possibility of something going wrong.  But you also get to see a wife who is so in love with her husband that she works to make his dream of space to happen.  

The Wives

Pretty much every wife  has the same story - married to a military man-turned-Astronaut - but the wives themselves could not be any more different.  Yvonne Strahovski, who plays Rene Carpenter, is extremely motivated to be more than a military wife.  She wants to share her voice, but fellow astro-wife Betty Gleason, played by Joanna Garcia, is more than happy to be a housewife.  The wives’ differences are what make them a great group, and how they support each other is wonderful.  

The Shepards

My favorite marriage in the show is the Shepards.  It could be because Desmond Harrington, who plays Alan Shepard, used to be on Dexter, but the real reason they are my favorite couple is because I can’t help but stop giving up on them.  His wife Louise clearly loves him and stays with him through everything.  My favorite part was when The reporter asked her to join hi,m and he said, “You don’t get what you want unless you ask for it.”  She didn’t go with him and asked her husband to be faithful to her.  She said, “You don’t get what you want unless you ask for it.”  Even though I never condone cheating, Dominique McElligott, who plays Louise, is perfect in that scene.  

The Astronaut Wives Club is on ABC Thursdays at 8!

How to Sooth A Painful Sunburn

Going to the beach is one of my favorite things to do during the summer.  But when you get home and realize that you spent a little too much time laying on your stomach and have a giant painful burn on your back, is a serious letdown.  

Before you go out apply sunscreen everywhere, and even if it is an overcast day.  After you get of the water apply it again.  When the salt water is on your body you are more prone to burning.   

Take A Cold Shower

Taking a warm shower is close to impossible after getting a sunburn.  When you get home from the beach or wherever you got your burn take a cool shower and pat dry with the towel.

Apply Aloe

Aloe is the easiest way to cool down a sunburn, also aloe is great for acne.   Apply aloe right after you shower and 30 minutes before you go to bed.  

Moisturize

This step is the one everyone seems to forget.  Last week when I was at work I noticed my legs were so dry and peely from my sunburn.  Remember to moisturize after your shower and one more  time that day.  

Prevention

The biggest part about this article is try to prevent getting a sunburn.  Some people, me included will get a burn because it will turn into a sunburn but I would rather be pale than be in pain when I’m trying to sleep.