Liebster Award Nominee!

I have some pretty exciting news!  Miss Claire of Simply Darling nominated me for the Liebster Award! The Liebster Award was created as a way to discover new blogs and get involved in the blogging community. Once you are nominated, you are to complete these tasks:

1) Post 11 facts about yourself.

2) Answer the 11 questions created by the person who nominated you, then create your own set for the people you are going to nominate.

3) Choose 11 people that have under 200 followers to nominate. Be sure to link them in your post.

4) Let the people you nominated know they've been tagged! (No tag backs.)

Keep on reading to see my 11 random facts, my answers to Claire's questions, the questions I came up with, and who I've nominated!

My 11 Random Facts:

1) I am a perfectionist, and I am really hard on myself when I feel like I could have done better at something.

2) I've been vlogging (video blogging) on my Fashion & Lifestyle YouTube Channel for over two years now and have been blogging for about 7 months.

3) My favorite brands are easily Kate Spade and J.Crew.

4) I am an Alpha Gamma Delta and absolutely love being a part of Greek Life.

5) I've been to Europe twice (France, England, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, and Ireland) and Australia. I'd love to visit Tokyo someday for the experience.

6) My favorite color is pink! Navy is a close second.

7) I go to The Florida State University and am planning to get my degree in Communications and minor in Business.

8) I love snail-mail! Many of my blogging and YouTube friends are also snail-mail buddies, and getting pretty paper in the mail makes my day every time. 

9) I'm terrified of bugs and all creepy crawlers.

10) My favorite animals are elephants and owls.

11) Vlogging and blogging are becoming a huge part of my life and I'm so happy to have all of you!

To hear more random facts about me, watch this video! I named 50!

My Answers to Claire's Questions:

1) Describe your style.

I would definitely have to say that my style is pretty classic and put together. You'll often find me in polos and J.Crew.

2) Are you an early bird or night owl?

Early bird! I always try to sleep in but it rarely works! I'm always the first one awake at sleepovers as well.

3) Are you a procrastinator or do you like getting things done early?

I ALWAYS try to get things done early. I'm definitely what you call Type A, so as soon as I have an assignment or a growing To-Do list, I get right to it!

4) Favorite holiday?

Christmas!

5) Favorite summer memory?

My favorite summer memories are traveling all over Europe and Australia!

6) Favorite place to vacation?

I love visiting resort hotels on the beach.

7) What are you most excited for in the upcoming school year?

I can't believe I'll be a sophomore in college in a few weeks. I'm definitely most excited for Football games. Go Noles! I'm also super excited to be decorating my first apartment!

8) How and when did you start blogging?

I started blogging at the end of last year (2013). I had been vlogging on YouTube for a while, but wanted to try something else as well. Many of the girls I followed on Instagram had blogs in their bio, and I was inspired to create my own.

9) Your favorite movie?

I love the Parent Trap.

10) Who is your biggest inspiration?

I really look up to my mom. 

11) What do you want to do when you graduate college? 

I'm not completely sure yet! I know I want to do something with media, public relations, and film though. I think it would be very interesting becoming a Public Relations Specialist for an Entertainment & Lifestyle PR Firm in LA or NY.

Who I've Nominated:

Madison of It's Madison Lane
Abby of Belle of the Ball 45
Nathalie of  She Wears Prep

Samantha of Preptista
Becca of Becca Jane

Grace of Preppy on the West Coast

Caitlin of Your Typical Prep

Lara of SassyPinkGiraffe

Bess of Belles in Bows

Shelby of Lucky Day

Emery of Oh So Ellie

I hope you discover new bloggers and blogs from this post! Thank you so much, Claire, for nominating me!

Thanks for reading!

An Errand Filled Weekend

And just like that it’s almost time to say goodbye to another weekend. After I got off work at 5:30pm, I spent my entire Friday evening relaxing because I knew Saturday and Sunday would be full! During the week, I had created a mammoth to-do list of everything that needed to be accomplished this weekend. Let me tell you, I got anxiety just looking at it! An evening in bed (with healthy snacks and Netflix as my companion!) was just what I needed to prepare for the busy weekend ahead.

I’m going back to college in about two weeks, so most of my errands centered around preparing for that. I don’t start classes until August 25th, but I have to drive up to Tallahassee early for (1) a week to prepare for sorority recruitment and then (2) a week of sorority recruitment itself. My apartment lease doesn’t start until the 22nd, so I’ll be living in the sorority house for about two weeks! I know recruitment is going to be stressful, but I am very excited for the experience and the time I’ll share with my sisters.

I began Saturday with selling clothes and accessories I don’t wear much anymore at Platos Closet. I hadn’t been in Platos Closet in a while and was absolutely amazed with everything! I always forget that they have such great quality used items for less. I was looking around the store as they were going through my clothing and stumbled upon a gorgeous pair of black Tory Burch wedges. They were being sold for $30. Yes, I repeat, $30. It was so hard to peal myself away from those beauties, but I had to tell myself that I didn’t need them.

After selling my clothes, I began shopping for recruitment and items for my new apartment at Target. You have no idea how excited I am to be living in an apartment this coming school year! Shopping for it made it really hit me that it’s almost time to move in! It’s a HUGE help that it’s fully furnished, so I don’t have to worry about buying any furniture. That being said, it is a 4 Bedroom and 4 Bathroom apartment, so I’ll be setting up for my own room and bathroom. Going from living in a dorm to this is paradise!

Shopping at Tar-jay

After a full day of shopping, I was exhausted. My parents really enjoy helping out at church, so we went to a 4pm Saturday mass, but when I came home, it was back to work! I had several emails centered around my YouTube and blog that needed to be answered, and my creative ideas needed to be planned out.

After a few hours of work, I treated myself to take-out from Panera (their Macaroni and Cheese is to die for!) and a night of Netflix. I did do some work while it was playing, but I also did try to relax some. I ended up finishing Gossip Girl for the 3rd time. Yes, you read that correctly. I have officially watched the entire series of Gossip Girl 3 times. (No shame!)

Panera & Netflix

After such a full day, you can only imagine how well I slept.

Sunday was not as busy as Saturday, but I still had half of a list that needed to be crossed out. I spent Saturday working on crafts I needed to do for my apartment and sorority, responding to emails, planning out YouTube videos, sending out resumes, and getting everything ready for the upcoming week. 

Getting my crafts set up

Cereal & Crafting

It’s been a non-stop weekend, but being busy often makes me happy. It comes with being Type A!

What did you do this weekend? I’d love to hear about it!

Work hard, give back, and love.

Chat later!

GO-TO Summer 2014 Makeup Products

We are now in the central heat of summertime, and it sure is a scorcher here in Florida! My city has been blessed these past few days with overcast skies and thunderstorms making the weather bearable. However, when the sun is out and the skies are blue, the humidity is killer! I am not trying to complain, but I am definitely more a Fall and Winter girl. However, since time flies by so quickly, it is important to enjoy every stage and every moment. I do not want to wish this time away, so I am doing what I can to appreciate the heat. 

Because of the high Florida temperatures, I have been wearing a much lighter amount of makeup this summer. In today’s post, I’m going to show you my 5 Go-To Summer Makeup Products. These products provide coverage and color without being heavy or runny in the heat. With them, I know I’ll look my best all day... whether I’m at working hard or socializing with friends.

BB Cream / Eyeshadow / Mascara / Lipstick / Blush

My Go-To Summer Makeup Product List

• Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream - Deep: I have been using this BB cream for a few years now, and absolutely love it for the springtime and summertime. My all-time-favorite foundation is the Revlon ColorStay Foundation. However, I prefer using the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream for the duration of the warmer months because it’s so light! This BB Cream is such a stellar product because it is: (1) very light on your face, (2) easily “buildable” for more coverage, (3) has SPF, and (4) does not get runny if/when sweating in the heat! What could be better?! Maybelline has them in six different shades, so no matter where your skin tint is on the color wheel, you’re covered!

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow - Half Baked: This eyeshadow is a great shade and must-have for all year round. It is especially essential for the summertime because of its warm, golden glow. 

• CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara - Black: This mascara has been one of my favorites for years and years. I tend to stay away from waterproof mascaras because most are extremely hard to remove. However, this one by CoverGirl not only proves itself to be fully waterproof, but also comes off perfectly fine with any makeup remover I’ve used thus far.

• Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick - Plum: When I apply this product normally, it is a bit too dark, in my opinion, for the summer. However, when I pat and dab it on lightly before building it up a little bit, the color is phenomenal. It’s not quite pink and it’s not quite red, so it’s that perfect in-between “plummy” shade. 

• CoverGirl Blush - Iced Plum: When applied, this blush comes off as a soft pink color. While this shade will look exquisite on anyone, I believe it looks especially radiant on deep tan and dark skin tones. I love this blush because it brightens up the face naturally.

Let me know if you try or have tried out any of these products! The CoverGirl and Maybelline products can be purchased at most drugstores, and the Urban Decay eyeshadow can be purchased at stores such as Sephora and Ulta. Just in case you're an online shopper, I have included links to all of the products in this post! 

What are your favorite summer makeup products? I’m dying to know!

Work hard, give back, and love.

Talk soon!

Simplicity

sending out postal

Simple weekends are just the best. I am ecstatic to announce that I have my Statistics final tomorrow... meaning I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with this course! Math is just not my thing, and it's almost over! I have been getting very high grades so far (far above the class average ;), so let's hope I continue and finish strong.

Sadly, I had to decline a few fun events my friends invited me to this weekend because I knew that in order to keep my high grade, I needed to study, study, study! My mom has been enjoying studying Theology, so this weekend consisted of Panera and Starbucks sit downs and runs for the both of us. I just loved the simplicity of this weekend and the time I got to spend with my mom. (I also received snail-mail from one of my favorite bloggers, Dorothy, which was definitely a highlight to the calm weekend!)

Starbucks run!

fresh mani

via my instagram: @courtneyecarter

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and enjoy what's left of it! The work week is creeping upon us!

Work hard, give back, and love.

Tallahassee and Thomasville

Hello all!

I hope you all had a great 4th of July Weekend. Hearing fireworks and seeing the amount of love we all have for our great nation make my heart so happy. 'Murica! 

I always enjoy dressing up for holidays, but it sure does take me a while to decide on the perfect outfit. Should I go subtle or all out? How much is too much... Or not enough? Ah! For this year's Independence Day attire, I decided to go classy but noticeable. I wore a blue and white blouse and a bright red statement necklace. I filmed a OOTD video on my YouTube channel featuring the outfit, so be sure to take a peak!

sorry for the selfie

                                        

I had a fabulous weekend. I am just smitten with Tallahassee and am so happy I had the chance to visit my college-town! The north Florida atmosphere makes me grin from ear-to-ear! So many of my friends also made the drive up to The Florida State University this past weekend because it sure is the place to be on the 4th. 

Wescott Fountain at Florida State

my sister and I

On Saturday, my mom, dad, sister, and I ate breakfast at Panera Bread, and my YouTube channel came up in conversation. I then checked my channel and noticed that I had exactly 2K subscribers! Wow! Thank you all so much! I am so lucky to have each and every one of you. :) 

After breakfast, my family and I crossed the Florida Georgia line and spent the morning and early afternoon in Thomasville, Georgia. This was my second time in the quaint little town and it was just as cute as a button. Boutique hopping is one of my favorite hobbies and I just love me some southern hospitality! There is something about the words "ma'am" and "y'all" that make me smile.

had to add a snapchat story ;)

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

lunch: BLT && BBQ chips

After spending time in Thomasville, we drove back to Tallahassee, “hung out,” and apartment toured for my sister. When the dinner hour arose, we were all exhausted and a bit "hangry"… at least I was! We ate at Ghengis Grille which is not only an all-time-favorite for my family and I, but also several of my friends. Mongolian stir-fry is just to die for! Delicioso! 

my delicious delicacy!

On Sunday we ate at the infamous iHop for breakfast before saying goodbye to my sister. Me being a plain-Jane ordered what I always do, the 5 Stack ButterMilk Pancakes. Everyone always pokes fun at me for always ordering the most basic thing at iHop possible, so this time I changed it up just a tad. If it counts, I added a side of Oatmeal! 

The drive back home was no fun. No bueno! It rained half the time and the traffic was terrible. We saw several accidents, one being a 10-15 car pile-up! Holy smokes! I will never understand why people continue driving quickly while weaving in and out of lanes while it’s pouring. It makes no sense and it’s dangerous. I hope everyone in the large amount of car accidents and pile up is okay.

I’m now home, resting, and listening to the bellowing thunder. While I do absolutely love Tallahassee and Thomasville, it is always nice to come home. I would have to say I had a pretty solid Fourth of July weekend with the famjam.

What did you all do for the Fourth of July? Tell me! I’d love to know. :)

Work hard, give back, and love.

Hello July | Peppy Pix

my go-to summer 'sticks!

sunday fundays

mixing business && pleasure

snail mail is happy communication

business casual ootd

Hello hello hello,

Just like that, June has come and gone. I am just floored at the thought that 2014 is already more halfway done! We're already three days into July and have a holiday weekend right ahead of us. Hurray! 

I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July Weekend! I'm going to be visiting my college-town for the weekend... and boy oh boy am I excited. (For those of you who watch my YouTube videos, don't fret! I pre-recorded two videos for you all: one will go live tomorrow at 11am EST, and the other on Sunday.)

Happy weekend! Happy life! : )

Work hard, give back, and love.