Happy Weekend

Just wanted to say hello since I missed my Friday post!  It's a scorching 106 degrees here, which feels like MUCH hotter than that due to the high humidity we have in SC.  Here's how our weekend is shaping up:

Chanel Quartz

Beach day with Brandon, Cody, and Drew!

Outfits from Thursday night, Friday night, and Friday day :)

Left: Gap Chunky Vestand Shorts, Kendra Scott Danielle earrings, random tank from Saks, wedges from local boutique (old)
Middle: Cache top (old), J. Crew toothpick jeans, Aerosoles wedges (old)
Right: Gap tshirt dress, Tory Burch Thora Sandals


Xo-M

Thursday Randoms

-First of all, thank you so much for the sweetest comments on our engagement photos.  You all have put a smile on my face.  I placed an order on Pictage last night for some large black and white prints.  

I want to create a gallery wall like this:

or propped up frames ...kind of like this:

photos via pinterest

The frames shown above are from Pottery Barn.  I almost ordered a couple last night, but then realized that they are made with a plexi-glass front!  Seriously PB?  How can you put plexi-glass in a $70 frame? smh.

- I can't believe Ann Curry has been given the boot from Today!  She is such a classy woman.  I've met her twice and was thoroughly impressed at how kind and attentive she was to me.  Maybe that's her problem... do you think she was too nice as a host?  Apparently, the ratings plummeted when she took over for Meredith Vieira. 

-As if my love for red velvet cake and cheesecake couldn't get any stronger, I bring you...

Red Velvet Cheesecake

via

- The day has come...  I finally am enjoying a song by The Beibs.  I may retract this statement as early as next week, but "Boyfriend" is a pretty catchy song, no?

-What do you all think about the rumors that Chris Harrison and Bachelorette Emily are dating?  Silly? Believable? 

I seriously doubt it's true, but wouldn't it make this season a lot more interesting? :)

-Question for all of you married women...  

What is the one thing you wish you would've put on your wedding registry?  Or... What is your favorite thing you put on your registry? 

-How pretty is this hair?  I love the blonde ombre and only wish I had the guts to do it.

pinterest

That's all I've got for today.  Happy Thursday!

Xo-M

Wedding Wednesday {Engagement Photos!}

Brandon and I knew we wanted our engagement photos to showcase the beauty that Charleston has to offer.  It may sound old fashioned, but engagement photos are not only an announcement to society of a couple's engagement, but they also set the tone for the upcoming marriage and communicate the bride and groom's lifestyle.  With that being said, we wanted our photos to be classic & southern.  In my opinion, that's exactly what we got with the talented Marni Rothschild!

Here are some of my favorites :)

Xo-M

Summer Makeup Routine

{1} Olay Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer

I apply this tinted moisturizer immediately after I wash my face & use a toner.  It keeps my skin completely moisturized, but helps to even out my skin tone.  My skin is left with a healthy glow!  This takes the place of my foundation during the day, although I'll warn you that it doesn't have near the coverage of a foundation.

{2} Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer

A little goes a LONG way and this stuff does NOT budge!  I warm up a tiny drop on the back of my hand and apply this around my nose, mouth, and on any blemishes.  Tip: Use a tiny, pointed eye liner brush to pinpoint tiny blemishes.  This makes your skin look airbrushed when done correctly!

{3} Dior Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Concealer

This is the perfect under-eye concealer.  It's heavily pigmented, but feels super lightweight on the skin.  This is another product where a tiny bit goes a long way.  It brightens under my eyes, lasts all day, and makes me look like I've gotten my full eight hours of sleep ...which, let's be serious, never happens.  

{4} Tarte Smooth Operator

I've mentioned this little treat on the blog many, many times.  It's my favorite setting powder.  I have very oily skin in the warmer months.  

With this, I don't feel oily or dry ...just balanced, no matter the time of year.

{5}

Urban Decay Naked Palette 

Again, a product that I've mentioned time and time again.  This palette has the best colors for day and night.  There are so many eye looks you can create with this palette.  I seriously don't know what I'd do without it!

{6}

Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner
An oldie, but a goodie.  I've used this for years and could never, ever go back to liquid or kohl eyeliner.  This gel/cream formula goes on and does not move until you remove it with makeup remover.  You can blend it into the lash line or apply it in a precise line.  I prefer a structured line, as it perks my tired eyes up! 

{7}

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black

My fave.
Volume, no clumps, thickness ...all achieved with this mascara.  Bobbi Brown's advice is to use the blackest black possible in order to look the most awake!

{8}

Nars Laguna/Orgasm Blush Bronzer Duo
This duo is fantastic.  For me, the bronzer is perfect for winter or summer, but probably best for lighter skintones.  The blush (as I'm sure so many of you know) is the #1 selling blush in the USA for a reason.  It makes your face glow ...and not in a sparkly, fell-into-glitter kind of way.  Trust.

I basically use these exact products in the evening, although I will use Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra 24H foundation instead of the tinted moisturizer.  When I use that, I really can skip step #2 as well.

I always pair these products with a pink or coral gloss and am good to go!

What are your go-to products for summer makeup?  Do tell!
Xo-M

scenes from my weekend

I had the best weekend with all seven of my bridesmaids by my side.  On Saturday, we shopped for (& successfully picked out!) their bridesmaid dresses, grabbed some lunch, then hit the beach.  Here are some iPhone pics from our weekend!

Froyo on Friday night with Brandon ...before the ladies arrived!

we tried.

Mimosa toast to finding a bridesmaid dress!  (Wish we all hand our hands in this picture!) 

 

Crystal's new mini schnauzer, Maggie! 

Wish I had more to share...

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends!

Tomorrow I'll be posting my summer makeup routine, so check back soon! 

Xo-M

Friday Five {plus a sneak peek!}

{1}

happy hour with dear friends

The 85yo man that took our photo caught us off guard by saying something very inappropriate before he took the pic!

We were overlooking our rehearsal dinner venue (The rooftop of The Harbour Club)!



I wore J. Crew scalloped shorts, Tory Burch sandals, Banana Republic white tee, Kendra Scott "Danielle" earrings, Michael Kors watch, and a necklace from a small boutique in Charleston (old)



{2}

Cream Cheese Monkey Bread

(mouth watering)

{3}

dinner & bike ride with Brandon at Folly

{4}

This is the cutest pop of color. 

I feel like small bathrooms are the best place to add a bright, fun color because the wall space is usually the smallest.

{5}

...a little sneak peek of our engagement shoot!

(by Marni Rothschild Pictures, LLC)

Weekend... woohoo!

I will have all of my bridemaids in town to look at dresses tomorrow morning.  Then, fun in the sun!

Xo-M