July 2015 Favorites

This July has been a busy but fun month. From family birthdays and parties, to a concert, to cleaning out closets and job searching, July has been a good balance of lazy days and productive days. 

Here are some of my favorite products and bright things from this past month: 

Makeup: Most days I'm either make-up free or wearing minimal coverage. I love Maybelline's Age Rewind Eraser Eye (in Fair) for light concealing under the eye and a little on some redness around my nose. This concealer is very light feeling on the skin, perfect for warm days. 

Skin Care: I've been using Vaseline on my lips day and night to keep them moisturized. The Rosy Lips shade is great smelling and does add a slight pink tint. 

Scent: When it's hot outside, I'm hesitant to wear heavy scents or lotions that are sticky feeling. The Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mists are the perfect solution: each one is a subtle scent and the mist is refreshing and not too heavy. I've been enjoying the Sun scent in particular, but I think the product itself is great no matter which scent you buy. 

TV/Movies: This month I've been watching Friends and Felicity - they both make me want to move to New York and wear oversized khakis! If, like me, you love late 90s/early 2000s fashion and romantic shows, you'd probably love both of these shows. 

Music: Train's new album Bulletproof Picasso was on repeat in my house all this month. I went to their concert this past weekend with family and it was so fun to see them perform live. Train's music is so upbeat and summery - perfect for the outdoor venue we went to, listening under the stars in the summer breeze. 

Food: Tillamook Malted Moo Shake Ice Cream. It's delicious. If you like Whoppers you've got to try this ice cream. 

Event: I can't help it - I love following what's up with my favorite royal families. From Princess Charlotte's christening to the marriage of Pierre Casiraghi to Beatrice Borromeo there was a good deal of royal fashion and fun to keep up with this month. 

What were your favorite things this July? The summer months seem to fly by, so it's fun to look back over the bright things. 

XOXO

Fashion Friday: How To Style A Denim Jacket

How To Style Denim Jackets by haleympettit featuring a denim jacket

Today's #fashionfriday post is all about how I would style a denim jacket in the summer. I recently received a hand-me-down Gap denim jacket from my mom, and I was trying to figure out what I could pair it with. Denim jackets tend to be a little stiff, so I think they look best when layered over soft fabrics that flow and aren't form fitted. I'm also a big fan of denim-on-denim, as long as the two shades are noticeably different.

In this set, I've paired a denim jacket with white jeans and a striped top for a casual day look, and with a color-blocked dress for a bright night look. I love how denim jackets automatically add an effortless vibe to any outfit - whether it's jeans and a t-shirt or a pretty shift dress. And if you really want to embrace the effortless look, roll up the sleeves and leave the buttons undone.

I love all things denim, so I'm excited about the new possibilities that a denim jacket creates in my wardrobe!

How do you like to wear your denim jacket?

XOXO

Fashion Friday: How to Style Culottes

Current Trend: Culottes by haleympettit featuring a crop tank top

It's a skirt! It's pants! No... It's culottes! Culottes are one of my favorite current trends - they're sophisticated, but they're also incredibly comfortable. The style of a skirt, but with the ease of a pair of pants. 

With their signature wide leg that hits mid-calf, culottes can be a little tricky to style - you don't want too much volume anywhere else. But the great news is that culottes can work for many body types. With a high waist, culottes are great for elongating the legs and emphasizing the waist. 

Here are some tips for how to wear culottes this summer:

1. Choose a pair that's black, navy, or white. They go with basically anything, and will slim more than a printed or bright colored pair.
2. Choose a top that will further emphasize the waist - either a fitted crop, a tie-front blouse, or something flowy you can tuck in. You want the waist to always be defined.
3. Pair with shoes that will further elongate the leg - like a heeled sandal - or that will provide fun contrast - like a tennis shoe. Flats or sandals will work too, depending on where the culottes hit your leg.

If you're into the culotte trend, but aren't sure if it's for you, I hope this post encourages you to rock a pair this season. I like to think of trends as inspiration - an ever changing book of new ideas for how to dress. Trends aren't rules that have to be followed. So have fun with them!

Will you be rocking a pair of culottes this season? What are your favorite current trends?

XOXO

My Favorite Summer Lip Colors

summer lip colors by haleympettit featuring Revlon

In the summer months, I love to pull out my bright lipsticks. From almost-neon corals to rich berry shades, I love the simplicity and statement of a bright lip.

The Revlon Colorburst Balm Stains are a great option for summer days because they feel like a balm but fade to a stain. If you're like me, you don't like to reapply your lipstick multiple times throughout the day. These Balm Stains are perfect for days when you want to throw on a bright pop of color and then not think too much about it. They fade to a subtle stain that isn't streaky or patchy. The shade Rendezvous is a bright coral-orange shade, and Lovesick is a gorgeous pink-purple, both great shades for adding a pop of color to an otherwise neutral makeup look or outfit.

The Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart is also a great product for summer. It is very moisturizing, and adds a sheer wash of color to the lips. Sweet Tart is a peppy pink shade that can be layered and built up to a richer, hot pink color.

E.l.f.'s Lip Balm in Berry is a lovely shade for summer nights. It can be built up to a rich berry tone, or lightly applied for a natural your-lips-but-better shade. It also smells amazing - I can't quite describe it, but it's somewhere between coconut and vanilla. Yum!

What are your favorite summer lip colors? Or do you prefer to go natural?

XOXO

My Favorite Beach Reads

There's something about the beach that just calls for a fun, romantic book. Whether you're lounging in the sun and sipping on a cool drink, or curled up in towels behind a wind screen, a good book is a necessity. These are just a few books that I think would be great beach reads:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

This book has everything you'd want from a beach read: romance, humor, heart, and a good deal of self discovery. This book is the first in the series about Belly and her relationship with Conrad and Jeremy - two very different brothers. You can probably guess that there's a bit of a love triangle, but Jenny Han also writes beautifully about family relationships and coming of age. Also, the setting is a seaside town, so the beach parties and sunrises will fit right in with your own surroundings.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

This book is a beautiful story of - you guessed it - second chances. Set in a lakeside town, this book has all the charm of a small town, plus all the inevitable drama. One thing I love about this book is that it is partly told through flashback, as the main character relives her past summers. Although there is a sad element to this book, Morgan Matson also draws out the hope and sense of belonging that comes from family relationships and close friendships.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This book is for beach readers looking for something with a little drama and mystery - it had my jaw open in shock! This book also takes place in a small beach community, and explores the relationships between families and friends. Along with the engrossing plot, the characters are richly portrayed and the language is beautiful. If you love the YA genre but want something a little different,  I think you'll love this suspenseful read.

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Now, this book doesn't exactly take place at a beach, or during the summer, but it will have you laughing out loud. This is the first in the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series, a series I read over one summer and thoroughly enjoyed. Georgia Nicolson is a hilarious teen who never fails to get herself into embarrassing situations. Written in a diary format, these books are perfect for traveling and beach reading because there are many places to stop, and easy places to pick it back up. If you love anything British and everything girly, you'll love this series. 

What are your favorite beach reads? Are there any series you can't put down?

XOXO

*cover images are from each publisher's website, linked to the title

Drugstore Summer Makeup Look

This makeup look is all about glowing skin and bold brows. It's a neutral look that goes with anything.

First, I start with the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. This is the perfect tinted moisturizer for summer - it's light, but makes a great base. You can read a more in-depth review in this post. You could also add in a concealer, but sometimes I skip it to keep my skin looking its most natural.

Then, I move onto brows. I love to fill in my brows lightly with the Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Medium Brown. Then I set it with the Maybelline Brow Drama in Soft Brown. These two products create a natural but defined brow look.

And then it's bronzer and highlight! This is the star of this makeup look. I use my NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder on my temples, forehead, and to subtly contour my cheekbones. Then, I take a pea-sized about of the e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal and warm it up on the back of my hand. I lightly blend this onto the tops of my cheekbones, my eyelids, the tip of my nose, my cupid's bow, and to highlight my brow bone. This is a very pink toned highlight, so it might not work for every skin tone, but I find that it's great for adding a warm glow to the face.

Some days, I skip mascara. But other days I want fluttery lashes, so I use the Covergirl Bombshell Mascara. It is supposedly a volumizing mascara, but I just use the "1" side and it is a very natural looking, defining mascara.

Then I just put on some lip balm, like the Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm. Done and done!

It's a simple makeup look that is hard to mess up - and the best part is that it won't melt off your face in the heat!

What are your favorite drugstore products for summer?

XOXO

My Go-To Summer Outfit

I love fashion. I love reading fashion magazines, keeping up with the latest collections and trends, and watching Project Runway. But as far as my personal style goes, I'm pretty simple. I tend to go for clothes that are comfortable, fit well, and make me feel confident.

In the summer, I'm all about ease. Being able to get dressed quickly is a major asset when getting ready for spontaneous outings. For the everyday, I almost have a uniform: denim shorts (generally from Gap or Old Navy), a white tee shirt (also generally from Gap or Old Navy), and leather sandals (check out my spring/summer shoe collection). If it's chilly, I'll throw on a sweater. That's it! I like to think it's simple, but still a little stylish.

my go-to summer outfit by haleympettit featuring jean shorts

What's your go-to summer outfit?

XOXO

My Favorite Summer Activities

For me, summer is a time to recharge, to relax, to have fun, to soak up some vitamin D, and to just take a breath. As Sunday marked the first official day of summer, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things to do during the summer.

What are your favorite things to do during the summer? 

XOXO

Summer Skincare Essentials Part Two - Nighttime

Last week, I shared my Summer Skincare Essentials for the morning. This week, I want to share the products that I love for nighttime. As I mentioned in my last post, my skin can be quite dry (even in the summer!), so I love products that make my skin feel clean without stripping it of all moisture. I prefer to exfoliate at night because it gives my sensitive skin a chance to recover a bit.

First up, I have the Simple Cleansing Micellar Water. This product has been advertised like crazy, but I honestly think it's worth the hype. I just put a generous amount on a cotton pad and it removes makeup without leaving any of the tightness that toners or astringents often do. It leaves your skin feeling like you've washed it, but without losing any moisture.

Second, I have to share my love for the Olay Fresh Effects Dew-Over Hydrating Gel Moisturizer. I recently repurchased this moisturizer because I love it so much. Unlike other moisturizers that leave your skin feeling greasy, this one is very cooling and soaks into the skin. I love this for when my skin is feeling slightly irritated, as it has white tea and cucumber to soothe. I seriously love this stuff.

Next, I have the Freeman Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask. The Freeman masks are super affordable and I think they're good quality. This one has a bit of a scrub to it, so it leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed. The tropical smell is also amazing... it's perfect for summer!

Lastly, I have the No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator. This is a great exfoliator for dry skin, as the base of the product is not a drying gel (like many scrubs that are targeted at acne-prone skin). The base is very creamy, with gentle exfoliating beads. It seems to be a great balance for my skin.

What are your summer skincare essentials for nighttime?

XOXO

Summer Skincare Essentials Part One - Morning

For me, Summer skincare is all about feeling fresh while protecting my skin from the sun. I love to spend time in the sun, but unfortunately my skin is very sensitive and will burn if I'm not careful. 

In the morning, I will either use this Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash or I'll just wash my face with a washcloth. My skin is very dry, so I've found that I have to use a very gentle cleanser (or no cleanser!) in the morning to retain moisture. 

Then, if I know I'm going to be spending time in the sun, I'll use my Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen. I like the Sheer Touch SPF 30 for my body - it smells SO GOOD, and it isn't sticky or greasy, it really does just feel like lotion. I like to use the Sensitive Skin Face Sunscreen in SPF 30 because it is light, but I know I'm getting good protection. If you have oily skin you might not like this, but it's great for drier, sensitive skin. 

On days that I'm just chilling at home or running errands, I still try to wear some kind of SPF, but I want something very light. I like this Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in Fair to Light (SPF 15) because it is very moisturizing and adds the slightest glow and coverage. Lots of BB creams or tinted moisturizers can be orange-y or add too much of a glow for my pale skin, but this one seems to be just right when fully blended. 

And I can't forget SPF for my lips! I wish all chapsticks had SPF, but sadly, they don't. I love using Maybelline Baby Lips in 10 Peppermint (SPF 20) and Softlips in Raspberry (SPF 20). Both are clear, so they can be worn under any lip color, and both have perfect Summer scents! (Or is it flavors? hmmm...) 

Check back in for my Summer Skincare Essentials Part Two - Nighttime! What are your favorite sunscreens or SPF products? Let me know in the comments! 

XOXO

New & Upcoming Book Releases

Is it just me, or does it seem like the end of each spring is accompanied by the release of SO MANY YA BOOKS? Now, I'm not complaining! It makes sense that YA publishers would release books just in time for summer reading. One of my favorite activities during the summer is to sit outside with a cold drink, some sunglasses, and a good book. And by good book, I mean YA Fiction! Here are some new books that I'm looking forward to reading this summer. (click on the titles for plot summaries and info!)

P.S. I Still Love You - Jenny Han (already released!)

Jenny Han is one of my favorite authors. I find her heroines to be very relatable - dealing with real issues, and not just who likes who. This book is the sequel to To All The Boys I've Loved Before, so if you haven't read that, be sure to check it out first! While I was sad when the first book ended without a firm conclusion, I'm happy to have a whole other book to read about Lara Jean, Peter, and Josh. 

The Boy Most Likely To - Huntley Fitzpatrick (August 2015)

I also love Huntley Fitzpatrick. Her books are a perfect summer read - full of romance, family, and humor. While you're waiting for this book to come out in August, check out it's companion novel My Life Next Door.

Saint Anything - Sarah Dessen (already released!)

Sarah Dessen's books are like old friends - you know you can always count on them to have just the right combination of real life problems and dreamy boys. This sounds a little more intense than some of Dessen's other books, but I have no doubt it will be just as sweet on the romance front and just as moving when dealing with family relationships and friendships.

The Fill-In Boyfriend - Kasie West (already released!)

I've read some of Kasie West's other books and am looking forward to reading this one. Her books are a quick read for me, so I'll probably save this one for when I'm in the mood to stay up late reading. The premise of this book - pretty obvious from the title - sounds just like a Hallmark movie... so I know I'll love it! 

These last few books are by authors that I haven't read before, but I have heard of them on Goodreads or seen the books at the bookstore. I'm a sucker for cute cover art, and these ones caught my eye. 

99 Days - Katie Cotugno (already released!)

Last Year's Mistake - Gina Ciocca (June 2015)

Finding Mr. Brightside - Jay Clark (already released!)

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things - Ann Aguire (already released!)

What's on your summer reading list? I love to make a big stack of all the books I want to read - no school books or homework allowed!

XOXO

*All images from publishers' websites, linked to titles.