October Look - Fashion Friday #6

Full image with product links

Well, we've done it! We've made it to the end of September so let's all just take a moment to give ourselves one big hurrah, a congratulations for making it another month.

1. Sweaters

I think one of man's greatest inventions is easily the oversized sweater because there is [nothinmuch on this earth more satisfying than wearing a large sweater when it starts to get chilly. I own too many sweaters and from October through March I am constantly re-wearing them in an endless cycle that I think is the most comfortable thing in the world and my friends probably get easily bored with. Sweaters are so comfortable and spending good money on a good sweater can never go wrong. One of the most expensive clothes items I ever bought with my own money so far (not that that's saying much - I tend to be very cheap) was a sweater from a small shop in New York almost a year ago and to this date it remains probably my favourite clothes item of all time though that might be now topped by the grey American Eagle swayed I got over the summer. Yeah, I might need to dedicate an entire blog post to that in the future - I love it that much. I get really excited about sweaters and there is literally nothing that puts a bigger strain on my wallet than walking into stores, seeing the mass collections of fall sweaters, and wanting them all. It's seriously a disease. But I think that October is one month when the weather starts getting such that sweaters start becoming more and more acceptable - and comfortable with the cooler weather! I recommending buying so many big sweaters because there are other things that come with big sweaters....chunky necklaces!

2. Jewelry
Jewelry is so much fun to fool around with all year round but it is especially fun when the sweaters come out and longer and heavier chains become more acceptable. I love big statement necklaces and chunkier and longer chains with more high-necked sweaters and button down shirts that become so much more acceptable and trendy as the weather gets colder. I think - as shown in the picture - that easy bracelets of cool materials like leather or rope that could look very urban or even summery but still in neutral, possibly darker colours so that they go with your entire fall wardrobe. I think bracelets are really versatile and super easy to use for all outfits but especially the kind of bracelet in this collection and with this colour. It's especially beautiful in the fall but they can also work for most other seasons so putting down good money for a nice and versatile bracelet stack would definitely be an great way to spend your money.

3. Boots
I know that in my recent September Favourites post (x) I talked about how much I love my Keds - but I may have misled you. Keds are not my favourite shoes, my favourite shoes are boots. Hands down, I just love the comfiness of boots and how cute they look with any outfit whether you decide to go with leggings or jeans. Boots are also really great for walking around the city or out in the country or just wherever - one of the main reasons I have boots down as a travel staple. It is so important to me to always have a pair of boots with me if I'm going anywhere - very versatile and easy to look good! And if you like black boots than I doubt we would get along very well because I am 100% a brown boots kind of girl.

3. Tans, browns, oranges, and maroons
I know, I know, totally cliché to talk about the wonderful fall colours but I just couldn't help it. I won't spend too much time on why I love these colours so much because - well, it's obvious! They just remind me so much of colder weather and all the wonderful things that come with it such as - obviously - all the wonderful and comfy clothes.

4. Floppy hats
Normally, these don't tend to look good on me since I play with my hair styles so much throughout the day and don't usually have a reason to keep hats on all day. However, there is nothing that says "trendy fall" like any kind of beanie or hat and floppy hats in a maroon shade are so goddamn cute to me. I just wish I could make it work but alas I don't think I am destined to ever be best friends with this beautiful fashion statement. However, if you can pull this off then I am extremely jealous. But also, wear it during fall as much as you can because seriously it is just so cute if you can wear it properly (oh gods above why did you give me hair I am never happy with??).

5. Berry lips
BEST PART OF FALL hands down. Being able to break out the darker lipsticks, lip glosses, and rouging in your lips as much as you want to - it's a great feeling. I love how the darker colours come out in this season and people are totally fine with putting on darker coloured lipsticks and whatnot because honestly it just looks so chic and reminds me constantly of fall. Best season - best colours.

Basically, to wrap up this long blog post - I'm really, really excited for October. I hope you are too!

Have a Brettastic day!

September Favourites

*Sorry to be boring and incredibly generic but I feel like if you have an extra 3 minutes and an ear for good music now is the time to go and listen to "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day*

Well, if you've taken my previous advice, then up and at 'em, everyone, September is just about done! This is my last blog post of September and man, has it been a month. This is the first time I've blogged for a full month and now I guess it's time for some reminiscing. *Sniff* I've always been a softie.

I know this idea of doing a September Favourites blog post isn't entirely original but I thought it might be a fun thing to do since I am a horrible narcissist who enjoys talking about herself and I also want to have a space to share all the things I've been loving this month. I feel like this post might start off being products but who knows where it'll end up spiraling? Hope you all enjoy!

BabyLips in Cherry Me

I recently did a post about lip products and this was included (read that here) so I won't go too in depth about this other than saying how much I LOVE this product. It is so soft and smooth and smells so great - like cherries but not the disgusting medicine taste you get in some cases, real sugary cherries. This absolutely pampers my lips and they always feel so soft and fantastic after I put this on. What's more is that it's super easy and quick for a nice swipe - no need to get out a compact mirror and apply your lipgloss or anything, just swipe this on and you're good to go! One of the reasons I also like this shade of BabyLips in particular (mind you, I do have more than one) is that it adds a subtle bit of colour to your lips so it does make a face look more complete, if you have pale lips like me. I adore this product and would recommend it a million times over.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme & Eyeliner in Golden Bronze

I know that these are two different products but because they were from the same company I decided to include both of them in the picture and to talk about why this brand is fantastic. The eyeliner, a really fun coppery pink, goes on very easily and stays on for a record long time, for me pencil eyeliners never stay on long but this one does! I also just adore the colour - it looks incredible with blue eyes like mine. As you can see, it is a bit worn down because I've been using it a lot recently! So, loving this product, I went back to try some more of NYX's products and with this lipstick, I was not disappointed. This is a matte cream which I have never really had any experience with before but it is wonderful. Glides on really easily, great colour, and no caking, even with super matte lips! I am definitely going back for more with this brand.



Black Radiance Dynamic Duo in 5205

 This might possibly be my favourite product in this post because, as I have mentioned time and time again, I struggle crazily with finding the perfect shade for lips that will give me a natural - ish look but won't leave me with too - bright lips when I don't want them. See what a struggle it is? Well, for that problem, this product is a God-send. It is the perfect combo of a gloss and a balm, made to treat your lips and also gives me a bit of berry colour that I think is incredibly appropriate for this time of year. Thank you makeup gods!

Coco butter thing

 This product is something I use a lot and even though it's not especially high class, I figured I would include it. I use this product for everything, my face, lips, and hands; which might end up being a little gross but I regularly scrape off the top so it's always fresh. It works as a butter for skin, as a chapstick for lips - literally everything. Also exceptionally easy on the wallet - less than $2 at CVS! A wonderful and wonderfully all-purpose product!

Sonia Kashuk Lotion - Pink Innocentia

 This lotion is not a new product for me so I apologize to anyone who wanted exclusively newly tried products. But this Sonia Kashuk lotion is actually my life. It's a blend of magnolia and jasmine smells and not only does it smell absolutely heavenly but it is super light and easy to apply. You only need a little bit to cover your hands or face and I absolutely love how it makes me smell. This lotion is such a blessing on my life so if anyone is looking for a great lotion that smells fantastic and is also nice and light, this is something you definitely want to check out.



Garnier Fructis Curl Construct Mousse

So if the Black Radiance Dynamic Duo is my favourite product in this post, this is easily my second favourite. I made a post about it here if you want to read it so I won't go too far in depth into it's wonderful qualities, I will just say that my hair curls have never been springier and my hair has never been more manageable. It's super easy to apply, just spray the mousse on your hand and apply it to your damp hair and then scrunch your hair and dry it however you choose. The instructions are on the bottle and they're super easy to follow - I just all around love this bottle, how it looks, how it works, and how cheap and easy it is. Recommend so highly!

Keds

 

This might seem like a little bit of an unorthodox item to include in my favourites, but a September Favourites list would be lying if I didn't include these shoes. I had always wanted a kind of sneaker that was cute, simple, and grey (because I am obsessed) and I figured either Vans or Keds were the way to go. I'm so glad I went with Keds. Don't have anything against Vans but these shoes are so incredibly comfortable and all-purpose, I absolutely adore them more than I can say. I wear them all the time and they literally go with everything. Price isn't too bad and I just think they're so worth it, the perfect combination of cute and wearable.

 

Parks and Rec

I know this isn't a product or anything but I just recently started watching the show Parks and Rec with Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones. I am in love with it. The episodes of seasons 1-5 are all on Netflix and each episode is usually about 25 minutes so it's easy to watch a lot in less time. Of course, this leads to the typical problem of thinking you've been watching episodes for an hour and you look up and it's been 3 hours. Whoops! But this show is so funny and I definitely had to include it in my favourites because I absolutely love  it. BTW Ron Swanson is my role model



Music

Oh my god, I don't know why, but there have been so many great music selections that I am so excited about and that I just had to share here. I'm no music expert so if I were to go into why I'm so excited about all this music it would mostly be me just going "IT'S SO GOOD JUST LISTEN" and no one wants that. So, more professionally, here are the names of the songs and links in case you want to listen to them.

• Centuries - Fall Out Boy [x]
• Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens) - New Politics [x]
• Oh Cecilia - The Vamps [x]
• Fireproof - One Direction [x]
• Don't - Ed Sheeran [x]

Blogspot!

So, the last thing I just had to talk about on this blog is the thing I've been loving probably the most this month and that is this wonderful website. As some of you might be aware, this is the first time I've blogged regularly throughout the whole month and it has been so much fun. I've loved so much talking to other bloggers, answering comments, and having a schedule to stick to and a blog to update with whatever I wanted to! This has been a great month and I've really enjoyed being on blogspot for most of it. Thanks to everyone who helped my first full month on here so great and I am really looking forward to October!

Have a Brettastic day!

Writing in a Cafe - Fashion Friday #5

Full image and links

 

I think we can all agree that sometimes it's just hard to be productive in your own home. You get distracted so easily, sometimes by all the wonderful things you could be doing instead of writing or even by all the horrible but responsible things that you should be doing instead of writing. Essentially, that is my life. I get distracted so easily or my family keeps barging into my room and the bottom line is that it ends up being impossible to get anything done. In this situation, my absolute favourite thing to do is to make my way to a nice, cheap cafe with good WiFi and just bust out a few hours of writing. Granted, I don't always have the time to do all the hours I want to because school but writing in a cafe always manages to make me more productive.

Obviously I have an overly romantic view of what one would wear to said cafe but I feel like if you're going to go out to a public place to be a writer, that's so romantic and movie-esque that why not dress the part? So obviously wear whatever you want on your writing days but this is my closet for those days you just decide to take some time and head out to get some writing done.

The most important aspect is probably the leggings. I tried to pair some good leggings with a nice button-down shirt that was casual but still not "I've been in my pajamas all day" sort of thing. You want comfort but you still want to look like you did go through some effort to appear nice in public. Professional but tousled, urban but simple.

And simple is the key word here. I've put out many primary colours and because it's fall, there's a lot of maroon in here since that is probably my favourite fall colour. A great knit beanie, a pair of sturdy boots, and a strapped bag all in blues, maroons, and browns are always a staple of any fall wardrobe, regardless of where you're going or what you're doing.

Also, this would definitely be the kind of rainy day to go super easy on the makeup and just take a break from a full face. Put on some simple lip balm, maybe some concealer and you're probably done. This kind of outfit is perfect for a mood where everything is chic yet very laid back.

 But I think that going to write or do you work in a cafe at any time is the perfect time to look erudite and trendy, the perfect look to be walking around the city or later snuggling up with a cat, some fairy lights, and a notebook.

PS obviously don't wear the glasses if they look unbelievably stupid and everyone will laugh at you for wearing glasses with fake lenses of any kind. The glasses are optional.

Have a Brettastic day!

Curls, Please, and Hold the Frizz - Fashion Friday #4

It's the question that plagues the best of us and the answer that continues to elude us: how do I make my curly hair look nice without it getting all frizzy?
 

Well, if you were expecting answers, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. I am no closer the the answer than I've ever been and since I am constantly at loathe to change my hair care routine, I will probably never figure it out. Oh well. When you've gone 17 years with crazy hair, what's another lifetime? Sobs

 

However, if I were going to gripe about my hair and not get anything done, I wouldn't have made this a Fashion Friday. Today, I am here to talk about (and yes, endorse) a product that I just recently discovered and has not, in fact, helped me tame my curls, but has rather made them run even wilder.

 

Wait, Brett, if you found a product that makes your hair look even crazier than it already does, why the hell would you tell us to use it? Aren't we trying to figure out how to make our hair wavy but manageable, curly but tame?

 

NO!

Believe me, I've tried all of that, straighteners, blowdriers, even curling my hair so the usual curls were more how I wanted them to be. But in the end, I had to face the music: my hair is a force of nature and can't be tamed maybe the way I want it to.
 

The first step in making your curly hair look as fabulous as possible is first accepting that your curly hair is awesome and deserves to be treated as such. No more heat, no more corn husk home remedies, no more straightening. It's a waste of time when it's so much better to get a curl strengthening solution and embrace your natural curls and allow them to run free under supervision, as I like to say. The nice part is that the supervision only comes into play when you wash it and add the curling product - the rest of the time you don't have to worry about it! No more holding books over your head in the rain you monster to protect your straightened hair, no more spending half an hour blowing it dry.

 

But how?

 

The answer that I have so far found to the best is the miracle product in the above picture, the Garnier Fructis Curl Construct Mousse. But I know what you're thinking.

 

Brett, why the hell would you construct your curls if you already have curly hair?

Well, we're getting into personal anecdote territory, I don't actually have naturally curly hair. My hair is naturally wavy and sometimes it decides to hate me and to make it so that it is temperamental, frizzy, decides to be wavy on one part and frizzy on the other. It's a nightmare, but I've learned how to work with it and I have found that it is best to get my annoying hair to be AS CURLY AS POSSIBLE for maximum control. This curl construct product is $4.99 at CVS (cheap, oh my god!) and it works wonders.

It's so easy to use, just apply to damp hair and scrunch it up and then one could air dry, blow dry, dry however you want to because this is not a product that defines your hair routine, it's just to add to it! What I mean when I say that is that in all the times I've changed up my hair care routine, it's been with a drastic change that has taken a lot of time or energy or even money. And none of it has worked quite as well as this product.

 

Embrace your curls! Make them as loud and bold as you want but the way you are going to look your best is if you put down those home remedies for straight hair and start finding products that let you tame your curls without letting them lose their fantastic bounce.

 

Have a Brettastic day!

Feeling Lipsy: Color versus Neutral- Fashion Friday #3

Obviously it's no secret that one staple of every girl's makeup bag should be a good, sturdy red lipstick. Empowering, fun, and easy to put on and looks instantly fabulous.

But what to do for an inbetween look?

This is a question that constantly plagues me. I am afflicted with, what I like to call, "pale lip" which means that my lips are naturally very skin-tone and unremarkable. The answer to this is obviously gloss, lipstick, literally anything I can get my hands on. But what is the perfect mix???

I tend to go overboard and that is just my nature. If I feel like my lips are looking especially pale, I might overcompensate and end up with something adorning my face that I think looks natural but stands out like blood on snow. Not that I'm especially that pale but, come on, when you're going for an overall natural look, I don't think it's quite ideal to have firetruck lips that draw so much attention to that part of your face. Granted, if that is your plan, then go for it. Lord knows I did but the difference in that situation is that I actually thought I was adding some color to my lips while still keeping them even a little natural looking. Was this actually the case? Not quite...

Eventually, I have pretty much decided that the perfect solution to this problem is to find a gloss or tinted balm that adds some color and shine to your lips but is probably more pink than red, one does not always have to chose between going with the natural look and adding some colour - it can go both ways.

Here are some examples of the products I love for a simple shine and little bop of colour but because I have zero camera experience, these are very much not my pictures. If you're American, all of these can be found easily in a CVS and the BabyLips and Smoochie is easily under $10 while the Neutrogena is a little more pricy but still great! I hope you still enjoy!

Have a Brettastic Day!

A Tourist's Guide to NOT Looking Like an Idiot in Washington DC

     
        

Living in the nation's capital has its ups and downs and I won't go into which there are more of but I will say that one of the downs is definitely a common hatred all Washingtonians share - tourists.

There's a difference between being a traveller and being a tourist and because I know that anyone who happens across this blog is awesome and they don't want to be labeled as a tourist, I'm going to give you a bit of advice on how to not look like a complete tourist in DC. (Imagine me saying tourist with the kind of contempt most Parisians use to talk about, well, anyone who's not a Parisian)

1. Fanny packs
I don't know if there's a different word for this that I should be saying but everyone knows what I'm talking about. Those horrible waist - belt - pack things that parents use to help carry whatever their screaming children want. They are the most disgusting thing on the face of the earth and there is nothing that will signal you put as a tourist quite like a fanny pack. Use a backpack or a purse to carry your granola bars and water bottles and cheap souvenirs but for the love of God do not use a fanny pack because you will regret it and everyone will laugh at you. That being said, I think it's fair to say that it is mostly the, erm, older generations who enjoy the use of fanny packs (well they didn't grow up with Disney Channel fashion so who can blame their poor, depraved minds) but if your parent tries to leave the house in a fanny pack, you have a duty to burn that thing. Especially in DC where we are perfectly okay with laughing at you in full view.

2. Wearable souvenirs
Just as New Yorkers will glare at you if you're wearing an "I heart NY" shirt, it is even worse if you do it in DC. Not because we are meaner than New Yorkers (cause come on, no one's meaner than New Yorkers) but because it's just so disgusting to wear any of the "I heart DC" gear. Why? Because not only is it a gross thing to do originally but the "I heart DC" is already such a knockoff of "I heart NY" that it's like getting a knockoff Prada in a Louis Vuitton store. You will look absolutely and irreversibly like a tourist and there is no one who can save you now. Maybe you got it because you were cold and it was cheap - but we're not going to know that and I doubt there are many people who will care so it's best to just refrain.

3. Don't be unaware on the metro
In DC, we take our metro (subway, tube, T, whatever) system very seriously and for good reason too. A metro system is a blessing for many reasons and one of the main ones is the fact that it is many people's primary mode of transportation. So do NOT be unaware of your surroundings on the metro. It really isn't that hard to accomplish. No one's going to get mad if you're crowding a metro map - I've lived here my whole life and I have to take a look at the map sometimes. But don't crowd the elevators, don't badger the metro transit officials, don't annoy everyone on the car, and DO NOT escaleft. For those of you who don't know, there is a general rule with elevators everywhere and that is; Stand right, walk left. You have to leave a lane on the left for people to walk down or up because just because you think it's fine to take your sweet time doesn't mean other people aren't in a hurry. When you stand on the left, we call it "escalefting" And it's just so rude, especially when you ask someone to move and they're not listening. This goes again to the basic lesson of this point - be aware. No need to make a big deal, just try not to escaleft and move if someone asks you. But we take the metro very seriously and the only rule is to be aware of what's going on. Watch other people who seem to know what they're doing and do what they do! The metro is what distinguishes a tourist from a traveller or native and you do not want to look like a fool in this key moment. If you can work the metro properly, all these other rules should be cake.

4. Only going to Museums on the mall
The National Mall (for anyone who's oblivious, it's not actually a mall, but in fact a large green space ringed by the Washington Monunent, the Capitol, the Smithsonian, etc, etc) has so many amazing museums such as the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History, the Air and Space Museum, et al, but these are not the only museums in DC. Far from it, actually. Granted, most of these places are the free museums that we all love so much, but they are not the only ones and I recommend that if you have a little extra time, why not go visit some of the other museums that we're so proud of? The Spy Museum is a fantastic trip, the Museum of Crime and Punishment, or some house museums such as Hillwood Estate or Dumbarton Oaks or Tudor Place. There are so many museums all over DC and all of them are worth a visit so if you want to get the real DC experience, go off the map just a little bit.
 

5. Taking pictures of government buildings
I get it, the capitol, the white house, they're tourist attractions and very important historical landmarks that also just happen to be government buildings. Fun to take pictures of, harmless, really. Yes, most of it is. Take your pictures and if you happen across something that is a government building but also looks like a Greek or Roman temple, chances are you're fine. Knock yourself out because in DC we know people like to take pictures of our great city. But oh my GOD do not take pictures of government buildings that do not look like they are specifically designed for tourist with camera happy fingers. This is the capital of the United States of America and we think that we're very important. If you take pictures of the government building, scary security guards will ask you to stop because you look hella sketchy. Just understand that if a building doesn't look like a tourist friendly place (aka it looks like a normal building) I don't care if it says "Department of Puppies" and you love puppies DON'T take the picture. It is the most amusing thing to see tourists getting stopped by every Bob, Joe, and Mary security guard because their stupid self couldn't contain their love of puppies and now they look like a Russian spy.
 

Disclaimer: There is no actual Department of Puppies so don't get too pressed.

And that's my basic list of how to not look like an absolute tourist in DC and I hope it helps some of you to be more suave in this city in the future because lord knows you do NOT want to go on the Mall in the summer or you'll be drowned by the waves of matching t-shirts and tour buses. Gag.

Have a Brettastic day!

(Image credit: http://m.tourism-review.com/washington-dc-welcomed-155-million-tourists-in-2010-news2764)

Autumn Essentials - Fashion Friday #2

(See full image and product links here)

Autumn is my favourite season, but it's understandable that no one ever likes to hear that. Sure, it's great to think about how amazing falling leaves will be but school? Ew. And if the place you live is anywhere like DC, then you understand how awful it when autumn does not really get started until late October at best. We could rename September as "August extended" or something because that's about as useful as it is. Just hot, continued stickiness.

But, when fall finally does roll around, it's absolutely unbelievable. And I'm not one to dis other seasons but fall is by far the best. I will stock up on sweet smelling candles and Halloween candy and cute sweaters and cardigans in the summer just so I'll be all ready for fall. And then, of course, when the cute fall collections come out, I buy more stuff anyway.

You see, I take fall very seriously. And the picture I made up there (courtesy of polyvore) in no way exemplifies my wardrobe or accessories for fall cause, let's be honest, ain't nobody got that big a budget. But none the less, I make do with what I do have and today I would love to share some of my fall essentials with anyone who's listening so maybe we can all talk about how much we love cider and apples and pumpkins and gosh darn it everything fall.

What no of course it doesn't matter that my birthday's in the fall, it doesn't matter at all.

In all seriousness, fashion-wise, I think one of the reasons I like autumn and winter more than spring and summer is not only cute jackets okay mostly cute jackets but the fact that summer and spring are the times for bold colours, fun patterns, the works. So not my style. I mean, I wear grey all year round, for God's sake. Neutral colours are always my fallback and staple and fall is one of the beautiful seasons in which it isn't a total fashion faux pas to go all neutral colours, to break out the greys, blacks, maroons, and navies that have been sitting in your closet, dying for some attention. Cause, come on, pretty much everyone can rock grey. Except for grey jeans. I just don't understand why those exist.
 

Hair
 

Most of the time, during school when I can't be bothered, I will just leave my hair down or put it in a bun or do both in the course of one day. One fantastic thing about the colder months is that you have to worry less about frizzyness (unless that's a year long problem for you, in which case, I'm just sorry) but there are still dangers in the hair area.

 

1. Health

Yeah, those long luscious locks you've been growing out all summer and shampooing once a month or that cute pixie cut you got at the beginning of the summer, yeah, you need to run down to the salon and get a trim ASAP. Even though you probably should get one anyway for the start of school, with a summer filled with swimming in pools and lakes and oceans and little to no hair washing, your hair is probably not only looking a little dank but chances are, you've got split ends and all that wonderful stuff. And if you have a pixie, you might be in that stage where it's growing back but just kind of gross around your shoulders - you want to take care of that. If you haven't done this all summer (because come on, who really has time for it when there's sun to enjoy) then I recommend you have a stylist, a professional take a look at that. That doesn't include your mom rubbing some egg concoction into your scalp or you going to look for new hair products - you want to have healthy hair from the get-go. Especially when you look at big issue number two...

 

2. Dryness

No matter what kind of hair you have, as the air gets cooler, chances are it's going to get dryer as well. This is probably already a good time to change up your hair routine as you probably should be doing somewhat regularly so I recommend as the months get colder, look for shampoo and conditioner that will give you enough moisture without looking greasy. This can vary by brand and depending on your hair type (people with naturally somewhat greasy hair, yeah you might want to ignore this one) but just make sure you recognize that with dry scalps comes dandruff and NOBODY likes that. Cause then you have to buy Head and Shoulders from CVS and look cheap as hell.

 

3. Cute hair accessories

This might be stepping a little too much into the accessories category (hence the name) but I had to include it because it's honestly so important to any fall collection.

• If you look in the above picture you can pick out some cute hairties that look like they have a knot in them and these are the ones I recommend. Yes, they're a little bit more expensive but they are so adorable and they look so trendy that when that girl who NEVER gives you back your hairties asks for one, you can just go "Oh, sorry, haven't got one." Bam, problem solved, and your hairtie just looks like an adorable bracelet. 
• Secondly, I am a firm believer that any school or presentation outfit can be easily spiced up with a little bow and it can be plain, it doesn't have to be fancy. A bow holding your hair back or at the top of your bun can add just a little extra girliness that I often try to do mostly away with in my fall clothes. So a little bow can be the perfect alternative.
• And lastly, this is literally THE MOST IMPORTANT; beanies. Beanies are the most comfortable, the most wonderful hat that has ever been invented. I feel like beanies instantly add a bit of a hipsterish look that can also cover up a bad hair day or just downplay any outfit. Perfect for a dress with Dr. Martens or something like what I have up there, played up jeans with a cute top. I, myself, own three beanies (none of them grey, whaaaaat???) in black, white, and then one that was an impulse thrift store buy that is from Vans and it is striped and very colourful. As I have mentioned many times, I'm not one to go for the bold choices, especially when it's accepted to wear neutral colours but this beanie can always add the cutest pop to any outfit. I recommend a vast beanie collection and I am always building up my own. If anyone knows of a cheap, grey beanie, hook a sister up, I feel a little scandalous to not own one.

Makeup

1. Quick!

So if this fall you are going back to school like me, chances are you're already a pro at finding a quick routine to get ready in the mornings. No one really has the time or patience to spend half an hour in the morning on makeup that they're going to wear to a school full of people they don't like. So, just because colder months means you can break out the full face of foundation doesn't mean you should. I recommend finding a routine that does not involve too many components and doesn't take that much time so you can go for the "look au naturale" but still look fab.

• One product I love is the Maybelline Masterprecise felt-tipped eyeliner by Eyestudio in black. Granted, it is a little hard to apply without a mishap but with practice, this eyeliner is a godsend because it is thin enough to give your eyes that pop without being too obvious and it stays on forever! No need for constant touch ups
• Another staple in any school/fall bag is concealer. I never bother with foundation but in the cold months of fall and winter when it's still dark out when I'm rushing around to get ready, I especially don't bother with it. Swipe on a bit of concealer and you're good to go. (I recommend any concealer by Cover Girl but, I mean, I recommend anything by CG)
• Also , as the sun starts to say goodbye, I recommend investing in a blush with bronzing highlights or a good old fashioned bronzer. Don't go overboard on either but there is nothing wrong with a nice, sunkissed glow. My advice is to find something that has ways for you to get at the different bits and colours so you can apply them collectively or individually to highlight whatever needs highlighting!
• Lastly a necessity of any makeup bag and school bag in the autumn is moisturizer. As mentioned earlier, with colder weather comes drier skin and hair and you always want to make sure your skin is looking good. I like to carry around the Sonia Kashuk "Pink Innocencia" lotion every day because not only can it keep all of me easily moisturized but whenever I am dying of boredom, I can smell it in in all it's magnolia and jasmine goodness and it keeps me busy.

2. Darker nail polish or white
As we all know, fall and winter are the times to break out the dark nail colours, the navys, maroons, silvers, blacks, glitters, etc. Also everyone loves a bit of orange from time to time. I love these trends. However, I would say that if you want to break away from that colour palette a little bit, go with white. White can never let you down and while it is probably best in the summer, I think it works very well with neutral greys in the fall. For example, the outfit in the picture is a perfect example of when it is 100% okay to slap on a bit of white nail polish. But that neon polish you bought in the summer? Maybe save that...

3. Simple lips

As previously talked about, cold = dry. I know you get the picture. So when I set up my autumn look, I always make sure to go for plenty of tinted balms and maybe less lipsticks and the like. As the natural look is generally my goal for school and what not, such balms can make a world of a difference - moisturizing your lips while still giving you some colour and shine. The Sugar line, as shown in the picture is my absolute favourite thing in the entire world because of its softness and texture. However, because of the size I'll usually save this from when my lips are extremely damaged and in need of serious attention. Most of the time I'll go for the Smooches by Cover Girl because they're cheap, easy, and do the work of both a balm and a lip gloss. However, if you want a straight up balm, the Babylips by Maybelline are forever a favourite.

Clothes

1. T-Shirts and Cardigans

Because I practically live in t-shirts all year round, fall is no exception even when it starts to get a little cooler. The magic answer? Cartigans! Cartigans the perfect thing to make your v-neck trendy and ready to be worn out. I recommend having about three staple cartigans, one in maroon or cream (goes with about everything plus your greys), one in grey (goes with literally EVERYTHING except other grey shirts), and one with a pattern or fun color in case you feel like you're being a little too neutral or if you want to spice up any outfit.
 

2. Sweaters
Everyone knows that sweaters are a staple of any of the winter months but I think that autumn is one of the best times to stock up on sweaters. Granted, people are going to look at you weirdly if you break out a jack-o-lantern sweater in January, so I recommend that those cute Halloween-themed sweaters you might find so adorable should be purchased with caution. Sweaters, like most other clothes I like, are an investment and should be bought to last and be reused whenever the weather calls for it. These are perfect for a little extra warmth and also that A+ cute factor on those days you might not just feel like trying too hard.

3. Skinny Jeans
 I know that skinny jeans are a staple for most people during all months but I think that during the fall, slapped together with an oversize sweater or top, skinny jeans are so adorable and look good with pretty much every body type. It's not important to worry about if your legs are too skinny or chunky, just that you feel good. I love jeggings though I know some people think they're tacky, but to me they're just so comfortable and shouldn't be traded in for anything. Leggings to school can be tacky so, um, don't unless you REALLY feel like not caring, but jeggings look more put together but are just as comfortable. Those are always the way to go when you want something comfortable and slightly pajama-like but also very cute and trendy

Accessories

1. Scarves
Scarves at times are hard to rock because you might want to wear your hair down and you think they don't look good like that (news flash: you're right, they don't) or it doesn't match your outfit. But there is NOTHING like a cozy scarf to spice up an outfit and without the weight of a necklace. Scarves can downplay an outfit very well so if you have a nice dress that you think is maybe a little too fancy for everyday wear, dress it down with a scarf and voila! You've got yourself a great school outfit. Scarves can be colorful or not, plain or jazzy but as long as you think it's comfortable and goes vaguely with your outfit, you're all set to go.

2. Oxfords/Flats
Writing this point makes me want to cry because I don't think you understand how long I've been searching for a good pair of Oxfords in my size (big!) and in a colour I want (white!) that are in my price range (cheap!). I searched DSW and no luck and I have perused a lot of sites on the interwebs and have come up with empty hands. But I think that in the fall, with your jeans rolled up at the cuffs or with a skirt or shorts, flats and oxfords can be the best way to spice up or even just complete an outfit on any given day. I also think these are really great spring essentials but even more perfect for that short window in fall before the weather becomes perfect for boots because, let's be real, no one really comes out of boots once they go in.

3. A Bag
A good shoulder bag, I don't think I really need to talk about this one too much. A sturdy but chic backpack or shoulder bag in a nice, muted color of brown, tan, or black just because if you invest in one of those, you can never go wrong or have an outfit that doesn't match. I recommend spacious yet practical, something like the one in the picture where you aren't buying it to fit three binders for school in it, but maybe a book, makeup, and a few other things for a day or night out. A nice, casual bag that's easy to tote around is something that never stops being practical.

4. A Journal
I know this isn't for everyone, but I'd be disloyal to my writing blog if I didn't talk about, y'know, writing. This isn't just a fall essential, but an essential all year round. I say that the best way to go in this situation would be a $3 journal at CVS that is super easy to stick in your bag at any time, no matter how big it is. I run through these like razors, I need a new one all the time! I think that this is a staple of every writer, amateur or professional, and if you don't have one, you're only hurting yourself.

Have a Brettastic day!

Fashion Friday #1

Hey everyone! So before you say anything, yes I am very aware that it's not a Friday. I did make this collage in preparation for this Friday but didn't manage to get it off the ground. Because of my horrible timing (whoops) the very first Fashion Friday will be on a Saturday. However, that is kind of accurate to my life. I promise I'll be better in the future.

Basically, before I get into it, I wanted to start a sort of series of blog posts every Friday to talk about fashion. I am not a lifestyle blogger or anything of the sort but seeing as I do find myself quite facinating (sorry) I thought maybe you guys would like tips, tricks, ideas and the like to spice up your wardrobe, makeup collection, and accessory bin. Hopefully this will be of some use to someone.

[Note that most of these might be made on Polyvore at the beginning but I might start doing pictures of my own wardrobe if it becomes requested/I possibly get sued by polyvore. But who's counting?]

So instead of starting off with a look at some of the lip products I've been loving recently, I decided to take the fact that it is now August and summer is almost over (NOOOOOOO!) to talk about some summer styles that I don't want you to leave in the closet.

I know that summer is when you bring out the light colours that may have seemed out of place during the colder months and white is one of them. I am currently ALL for white nail polish but other than that, I think white comes second to one colour for the end of summer - peach. As you can see in the above photo, I've tried to go very peach with the cartigan, backpack, sunglasses, phone case...you get the picture. Peach can be so flattering with most skin tones and it doesn't always drain the same way white does. I think peach as a colour can make skin look very vibrant in most instances. As you can also see, I kept the makeup colours very naturale and it wasn't just for the colour scheme. Heavy makeup can be such a burden in the heat and using a light pink/peach pallette can really do wonders. I think you should keep it light and breezy but that doesn't mean you have to wear cool colours - a light pink can be the perfect inbetween. 

As I'm sure I've complained about multiple times, Washington DC is a literal sauna in August and it is pretty much the most unpleasant place to be. However, recently the weather has been almost...managable and even comfortable at timrs. Because of this, i dont know where you guys are, but I definitely recommend investing in a light, easy cardigan that will look cute and still keep you comfortable if you go out at night and it gets a bit breezy. And again I recommend peach because it will probably go with most of your summer wardrobe.

The last item on my hit list for Fashion Friday is exemplified in the beauty of the shirt in the above picture - floral patterns. If there is a floral pattern you love, now is the time to rock it before summer ends and we're all back to the drudgery of school. I think the nice thing about floral patterns is that with the large range of colour, there's so much that can go with it! Experiment, try pairing new items of clothes together and see what comes out! Cause I mean, who's really going to be around to see?

And so I think that is it for this week's Fashion Friday (technically Saturday but minor details, guys, minor) and I hope you enjoyed it! I had a really fun time writing this and definitely want to continue doing stuff like this in the future so if you want to see more, please let me know. And stay tuned for another post on Monday!

Have a Brettastic day!