Neon Easter

Hi everyone!

Spring break is over and concluded with a fun Easter Sunday that began with going to church and ended with studying! A few guests came to have an outdoor barbecue, which included two delicious cakes and lots of food. As for what I wore, I tried to keep colors bright and warm, so for church I wore a basic black tank top (Forever 21) and black cardigan (H&M) with a neon pink, daisy skirt (Francesca's) and flat, white espadrilles (Old Navy). For dinner I changed into an open back silk printed tank top (Francesca's), white pants (Old Navy), and tan wedges (DSW-not sold anymore) while still keeping the black cardigan on. 

Equally as important were the cakes, which the double chocolate chip cake was made by moi and was much more work than what I had done before, but was extremely worth it. As I have shared on the blog previously, I love baking and everything sweet, but usually I keep recipes to the basics and try to perfect them as much as possible. This recipe on the other hand was supplied by Baked by Bree and was quite easy to follow and totally delicious. The second vanilla cake was baked by a family member and was simply covered with a Brazilian dulce de leche mix and chocolate sprinkles! Easter was successfully sweet with these desserts and two springy outfits!

xo, Paulina

Friday Favorites!

Hi everyone!
I have not shared my favorite things of the week in a while, but this week I have definitely compiled some great things to share today! This week was my spring break and although I did not have the chance to vacation anywhere, I did make it to Boston and Rhode Island for enjoyable day trips (more like college visits!) Anyways, with prom, AP testing, applying for academic societies, and hanging out with friends on the agenda, I have had a busy week. How has your's been? Hope it was good and hopefully these next few favorites will only add to it's "goodness!"

Favorite look: This to-die-for set is from Aje and photo is from this wonderful blogger's instagram. I would love to own this garment, with it's neutral tone, tad of embellishment, and perfect amount of rugged fray to balance the look.

Favorite prom makeup inspiration: I've listed Lily Collins as one of my fashion icons, and now I believe she is turning into one of my beauty icons as well! I am going to try to recreate her makeup for my prom. (Photo from Teen Vogue)

Favorite viral video: Taylor Swift's latest adorable video diary! She recently surprised one of her most loyal fans by going to her bridal shower - so sweet!

Favorite band at the moment: The works of 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer), especially this song, "Heartache on the Big Screen" has been on replay this week with their dancey, boy band, Australian vibes.

Favorite creative moment I had this week: I took an old scarf and made it into a strapless top with an elastic band at the top and a slit in the back! I can't wait to wear it with white pants in tropical weather!

 

How'd your week go?
xo, Paulina

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips

Hi everyone!
A little while ago I was in need of some sort of lip moisturizer and instead of going straight for the aquaphor or chapstick, I decided to try a product from Maybelline's Baby Lips Electro Collection.

I was a little daring and went straight for the brightest pink color, as I thought it was more for aesthetics of the product instead of actually giving a pigment to the lips. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized it did let off a pinkish pop, that it brighter anything I had ever worn on a daily basis before. It is slightly deceiving that this product's packaging is shaped like a lip balm but applies more like a lip stick. When using this collection I would definitely recommend using a mirror as it could be a bit tricky to perfect! 

The electro collection within babylips has five shades and are exactly the same formula as the non-pigmented, except without SPF. This product is advertised to moisturizer your lips for 8 hours. I, however, have never been able to keep one application on for that long because it does come off with water, but I do have to say 8 hours is a little of a stretch for me. When I apply this, I dab aquaphor on top because I feel as through the moisture is not completely there, whether it's the smoothness or hydration that I look for. That may not be the case for all so I definitely recommend trying it for yourself!

Let me know the results!
xo, Paulina

My Week in Instagrams

Hi everyone! 

Since my week was mainly spent being sick and out of school (meaning doing absolutely nothing and resting) I thought I would recap the last two weeks instead of only one in a "Weekly Instagram." I was inspired these two past weeks to look at the brighter side of things, from being overloaded with tests to becoming sick. Overall, they were good, busy weeks filled with brand-new clothes, never ending school work, and spunky friends, that truly flew by.

1. Prom's coming up! Eeep! While the whole process should solely be fun, it has surprisingly been a wee-bit stressful. (P.S. This is not the dress I went with....that will be coming up soon!)

2. I'm enrolled in a very creative photography class at school and one of my first film prints was this one of all my shoes and my two feet in the middle of them.

3. I had not done a poster project in the longest time, as most school projects have advanced to digital powerpoints and such. Good to get back to the roots!

4. Because I am in need of some new wall art for my room, I decided what's better than DIY art, especially of fashion or design, so the "CHIC"art is in the making.

5. What beautifully vivid weather the beginning of spring has brought! 

6. Here's a snap of myself (left) and one of my bestest friends at a birthday dinner. I really liked my outfit so I may be doing an OOTD coming up soon of it.

7. My (looks mini, but not!) messy, top knot!

8. I need this bag! I just need it. What a perfect beach or park bag!

9. Finally, this was a portion of an outfit that I wore to school one day and the first of the wear where I wore open toed shoes! Ah love warm weather and this outfit as a whole too!

Comment below and tell me how your week went!

xo, Paulina

Currently Craving: Matchies

Hi everyone!
Whether you call them, coordinates, a matching outfit, or a set, I have been eyeing matching tops and bottoms everywhere! As I have begun online shopping for the Spring, I have been visiting many European and Australian stores that have been featuring these chic matching sets. Not only do they usually have the cutest prints and patterns, especially with digi-print on the rise, but I can imagine they are super easy to style and look so fierce everywhere and on everyone I see them. Don't forget that you'll be keeping up with the crop top rage as well! My goal is to buy one set that is essential, solid, and neutral and then invest in one that is fun, a bit wild, and super chic.

Inspiration

The Real Deal

All garments are from Asos, Nordstrom, and MissGuided and all images are from Gettys Images. Let me know if you have tried this style and what you think of it! 

xo, Paulina

Want a Long, Lengthy Ponytail?

Hi everyone! 

I have posted a video in a while, so I decided to share how I create a longer and more stylish ponytail within a few minutes. This trick is perfect for those who wish to have longer and thicker hair so click play to hear step by step instructions! All you need is 2 ponytail holders and optional bobby pins. Let me know how this new style works for you!

                                BEFORE                                      AFTER

Although I don't post on YouTube often, make sure to subscribe and share the video if you enjoy!

xo, Paulina