Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Goodbye September

September sure was good to me, in all honesty though, it was one amazing month for a lot of reasons! But, I will admit that I have so many fun things in store for the blog and personal life in October. I am a tad bit excited for October to be here :) Before I start to share a sneak peak of what I have coming up, here is a glimpse of what took place in September!


  • Brecken moved home! Yes, he actually finally made the move home to Southern Utah and I couldn't be more excited. Even though I don't get to see him every single day, because of him working/hunting, I will take it over North Dakota any day!
  • Bought a new turquoise ring that I am absolutely obsessed with!
  • Received birthday presents in the mail from my friends - did I mention how much I loved handmade cards?
  • My all time favorite photoshoot to date with Miss Ashley. I am loving this Romper + Floppy Fedora Hat shoot!
  • I signed up to become a Pure Romance consultant the last week of August and received my started kit in September! I am super excited about this - please contact me if you have any questions!
  • Went to the annual Sunbowl Rodeo here in St. George. It was Melissa's first Rodeo! 
  • Took Melissa to Zions National Park for the very first time too. Ate at one of my favorite restaurants, Meme's Cafe for Breakfast and it was amazing! Then drove through the entire park! Such a relaxing Sunday!
  • Spent the weekend in Salt Lake celebrating Holland and Cody's wedding! First time being a bridesmaid ever, guess I can check that one off the list of things to do.
  • Best thing about the wedding though - being able to have my handsome man there with me! Seriously, so in love with this guy!
  • Melissa and I ventured up to Pine Valley one night to drive around. I can't believe how lucky I am to live in such a gorgeous place!
 Life in the Sunshine - October Sneak Peak

  • I have been working on a series that I am excited and nervous to share with you all. It's called Tough Topics and its all about sharing life experiences and hardships that we all go through in life. I don't want to give away too much about it, but I have been working really hard on this series and it will make its debut Thursday morning. So, please come back and take a look.
  • I have some really fun photo shoots planned to share with you, as well as some of The Creative Closet linkups that I will be participating in.
  • October obviously means Halloween. So, I plan on having some really fun Halloween inspired posts in the works!
  • Recipes, Recipes and some more Recipes! I love fall because of the comfort food inspired recipes that come along with the season. 
  • I also will be pairing up with treat.com to bring you some really awesome posts about family fall photos and gift baskets! 
What did your September look like?
What do you have in store for

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Cobalt Inspiration


cobalt







I really have this ache for fall to finally make its full appearance in Southern Utah. I mean hello, summer is officially over by calendar standards. Now if Mother Nature would just cooperate and bring us some beautiful fall weather that would be perfect! 

I have been really inspired by the fall colors for this year. My mind can’t stop spinning with inspiration for outfits! I couldn’t help but see all the gorgeous Cobalt blue that was all over the store this past weekend! I really do love that color, It Is just gorgeous on all skin tones.

Plus, I think cobalt is perfect when paired with different patterns. For instance; pair a cobalt dress with a black belt and a pair of leopard shoes, stunning outfit!

What do you think of cobalt?
What would be your inspiration for outfits with it?

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Always Looking Good in Photos!



I am not about to tell you that I am some secret model and knows all the best secret to taking amazing photos. Because let’s face it, I am not a model; I am just a simple girl who happens to be in front of the camera and actually like it. After working with Ashley over the past few months, I have some tricks up my sleeve that seem to help with the outcome of really good looking photos. So, I thought I would share my findings with all of you lovelies.




Yes, I know it’s a big shocker. But in all honesty, if you prepare yourself for a shoot, it will only help you in the end. 


1. Exfoliate your face the night prior, dead skin can cause a couple of problems; flakey and uneven skin tone, which results in you looking like a ghost. Skin really goes glow in photos, promise, so take the extra minute to exfoliate your skin.


2. Getting the appropriate amount of rest is extremely important. You can only hide those bags under your eyes from a bad night of sleep with so much make up. Brutally honest, I know. But, we both know that not getting enough rest does wonders to your appearance.


3. Last but not least, probably the most important of the preparedness part. Water, drink lots and lots of water. I can’t stress enough of how important this is all around, but the proper intake of water is going to make your skin look so much better. The affect that water has to the skin is amazing, it makes it look so much healthier and it will give your that gorgeous glow you want, I promise!


Best Kept Secret : Take a Perfect Picture


Of course there will always be a million tips on how to pick the perfect outfit, but here at the guidelines. 

1. Pick an outfit that screams you 


2. Proper fitting clothing – You don’t want something that is overly too big or too small for your figure. Because remember the camera can and will add 10 pounds, it really does. 


3. Make sure that your accessories never overpower you and are finishing touches to your outfit.


4. Undergarments – These are crucial parts to making sure an outfit looks proper. You don’t want to have saggy boobies because you don’t have a proper fitting bra, or a underwear line. I promise that the camera is going to pick up on those elements.


5. Shoes that fit, for obvious reasons. Heels will look amazing in photos, because they also help elongate your body and make your legs look awesome. But, if heels are not your thing, make sure that your feet have proper shoes and socks/stockings or whatever you are going to wear, are properly covered or showing correctly.


Best Kept Secret : Take a Perfect Picture
 Shirt : JcPennys | Jeans : Gap | Shoes : Steve Madden | Purse : TJ Maxx | Bracelets : Buckle



In my experience, my hair always seems to look more flat or frizzy then normal the normal mirror. I always recommend a couple of things:
 


1.  Choose a hairstyle that is easy to play with and you can move with.


2. Add some extra volume; if this means extensions and some more teasing, then do so.


3. Shine that baby up!

Best Kept Secret : Take a Perfect Picture 
Tank Top : Bohme | Bandeau : Victoria's Secret | Shorts : Buckle




Something I have always noticed is that make-up in photos always looks different than it does in pictures. You can put on your normal everyday make-up, snap a photo, and it looks like you have nothing on. So, when it comes to being in front of the camera, it is okay to add a little more and make sure to blend a little better.


1. Foundation’s that have SPF in them are horrible for photos, because SPF reflects light. So what ends up happening is your face reflects the flash, making you look oily. Also, I make sure that I always make sure to take the foundation from my face to my neckline for an all over even tone. If you don’t want to do that, make sure to blend that line at your chin really well. 


2. Blush is important! I always add a little extra or a little pinker color to the apple of your cheeks! It is going to give you so much more color than you are used too!  


3. Contouring your face is your best friend. Do yourself a favor and Google how to contour for your face shape, it will do wonders. I promise!


4. Do your eyes the way you want too. If you are going to go bold, then do it! Decide that you want to keep it more natural looking, then make sure to just brighten the eye but don’t go crazy with the eye shadow. I like lining my eyes, but I also make sure that it isn’t overwhelming so that it makes my eyes look small. One thing though, if you highlight your tear line, it is going to open up your eyes and make them look gorgeous and open!


5. Fill in your Brows! If you don’t usually do this, do it! Filled in eyebrows define the face and add so much to your makeup! Seriously, you will not go wrong with filling in your brows!


6. Last, lip color! It really is important; because it adds the perfect finishing touch to your face. You don’t have to go with some bright colored lip; just a simple pink color will even do wonders. 


7. If you want to go the extra mile, you will highlight and contour your face right before you are done. This will add all the dimension to your face, but it is totally optional!

Best Kept Secret : Take a Perfect Picture




Let me tell you a secret, being photogenic is all in your head. Be comfortable in your own skin and it will show in your pictures! Be comfortable, confident and remember to have fun and laugh throughout the entire photo shoot! These are the moments that the best pictures are captured! Seriously; relax, turn on some music and have fun!
  
Remember to always SMILE, LAUGH, AND HAVE FUN!

 Best Kept Secret : Take a Perfect Picture

 Do you have any Tips/Tricks to take awesome photos?

Monday, September 22, 2014

5 MINUTES TO OUT THE DOOR


When my alarm goes off at 5:30 Monday – Friday, I am not exactly the best at actually getting out of bed without hitting snooze a couple of times. So most morning I have to resort to a quick and simple 5 minute make-up routine. The best thing about this 5 minute beauty routine though, it doesn’t look like it was done in 5 minutes.

5 Minute Make-up Routine - Life in the Sunshine






After I moisturize my face, I brush on a quick layer of foundation. I fell in love with my Naked Skin by Urban Decay about a year ago and have never looked back. It is weightless and easy to apply; plus if you do it with a foundation brush you will never look at liquid foundation the same again.

Second step : I swipe on some blush and eye shadow. Keeping it simple and natural is the key for me. I really have fallen in love with the different trio of colors from the Sephora line (brown, blush, golds, and even greens). They really are so easy, because depending if I have a minute or two longer, I can do a quick smoky eye without having to think about it. My blush is always a beautiful pink color that compliments my skin tone. Remember that natural is the key here, so a little goes a long way. 

Before I am done, I quickly apply some of my favorite mascara; Voluminous Million Lashes by L’Oreal Paris. I seriously don’t know what I would do without this mascara, it does wonders for my lashes and when it comes to taking off my mascara at night, I am not fighting it either. 

I love to put on a little bit of lip gloss, but this is totally up to you. I love having soft and moisturized lips throughout the day. I usually keep my lip gloss on hand! I usually will opt for Victoria’s Secret, Cover Girl, or Revlon because of the way they feel on my lips throughout the day.


What is your quick beauty routine or favorite go-to products?

Friday, September 19, 2014

Friday Favorites | BF Jeans + Flannel + Leopard



Friday Favorite





| BOYFRIEND JEANS | 
I have been loving Boyfriend Jeans lately! I love the way they fit and how different you can pair them with pieces. I think that Boyfriend Jeans paired with booties will be one of the most common occurrences in my fall wardrobe!

| FLANNEL | 
Fall screams flannel to me. Although, I haven’t ever been the type to have multiple flannel and/or plaid shirts in my closet, I think that is going to change this year.

| CHUNKY SCARVES | 
I don’t have a ton of Chunky Scarves in my wardrobe currently, but I have been in love with all the outfit inspiration for fall that have been paired with Chunky Scarves. 

| BOOTIES | 
I haven’t ever been one to fall in love with booties, like I have been this past year. There is something about them lately that makes me just swoon over them! I have been loving all of the outfits that I see them paired it. Plus, they go perfectly with my love for Boyfriend Jeans!

| LEOPARD PRINT | 
All of the amazing colors that will be trending this fall like; cypress, sangria, cobalt, and misted yellow to name a few, leopard print is the perfect print to pair with them! I will admit, I was always a little hesitant to go big with animal prints in the past, but I found out that I love an outfit accessorized with a beautiful print like Leopard. Seriously, it really is such a classic print and so much fun!