Abercrombie & Fitch Haul

As many know, I love Abercrombie. Not because I spent a decade working for the brand; but I truly enjoy the quality, style, and diversity this brand has. Spending so much of my live involved with the company I saw some amazing growth and changes that I feel shows the brand can handle changing target markets in a mature and respectful manner.
Recently the store was doing 50% off on pratically their entire summer collection well - except 5 pieces I REALLY REALLY wanted. But today I will show you the items I did purchase and give a honest review on. * There actually is some items I didn't like!*

Continue reading to hear about my Abercrombie Purchases!

Strappy Slide Sandals $38

These shoes are super trendy for summer. They come in 4 colors (I want the white so so badly!). These are a defintele must but to warn everyone to try them on before purchase (or online order your regular size and the next size up) I noticed the bands are really tight on my feet; I'm a 7.5 but the size 8/9 fit me more comfortably. 

Pleated Denim Shorts $58

These shorts I have a love hate relationship with. I purchased them LOVING THEM. But after wearing them 2x I noticed the pleated front detailing makes my stomach area look big (which isn't good for someone who is already uncomfotable with their belly area.) These are highwaisted too which I wasn't expecting. I would return if I didnt remove the tags. Do I recommend? Eh, I would try them on and really think about the style before purchasing. *Had to go up 1 whole size too!!!!*

Low Rise Shorts $58

I ended up returning these online exculsive shorts because the sizing was off, I needed a size larger. *The shorts are sized odd this year*. I plan to reorder these because the look is really nice overal. 

White Drapy Top $18

I really really love this top. I plan to purcahse more and all the colors. The fabric is super soft and the draping detail is perfect to wear with jeans or tucked into highwaisted bottoms! 

Low Rise Clearance Jeans $19

These might be the softest jeans I own. Even after washing these jeans are still super soft. I love the ankle detail and these fit true to size! Definitely recommend shopping their jean collection the next time you want a good soft pair of denim!

Drapey Trench Jacket Clearance $90

This jacket I purchased last year in a mint green color and I wear it all the time time. Perfect for spring and summer looks at nighttime. This blush pink would be darling with a white dress or even white denim!

Tote $40

I'm amazed at how light, easy, and trendy this tote is. It holds so much items and doesnt loose its shape! Defintely a must for your summer collection (and perfect for poolside!)

This was my recent Abercrombie & Fitch Haul! I hope you enjoyed this post. If you're interested in getting some outfits on a promotion similar to mine sign up for Abercrombies emails! Also check the Abercrombie APP or go online to see what online exculsive sales they're hosting. 

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5 MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES for Summer!

Today I'm diving into the 5 MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES for Summer! With so many new trends and how quickly items are selling out, this will be a major 'go-to' post to read before your next trip to the mall! *As always the pieces I'll showcase will be affordable, todays pieces are ALL from Red Dress Boutique! But you can find similar items at different price points!*

Continue reading to hear what my 5 MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES for Summer are!

1. Leather Band Sandals/Woven Leather
Last year these sandals hit many stores and this year I feel you can find a similar style literally anywhere! (from high end to Target!). The best colors to stick with are timeless colors: white, tan, cognac, and black. These shades will compliment all summer fashion choices.

Cost $24

Cost: $26

2. Bamboo Bags or Straw Bags
Last year all the 'it influencers' had the Cult Gala bamboo bags (the price is RIDICULOUS on these!). But luckily this year you can find these bags at TJmaxx, Red Dress Boutique, and Abercrombie! Grab up one (or 3) in some classic tan colors or be bold and grab a colored Straw Bag!

Cost: $52

Cost $54

Cost: $80

Cost: $40

3. Quay Sunglasses 
This past year this super chic and quite an affordable brand is what every influencer is rocking. Most of their sunnies are about 65$ but the quality is just like Ray-Ban. If you're on the fence about dropping $150+ on Ray-Ban or Quay definitely go with Quay!

Cost: $60

Cost $65

4. Beaded Jewelry
This trend was in style last year and I'm so happy to see it again this year! The bright bold beaded earring, necklaces, and bracelets. You can find anywhere from Red Dress, Baublebar, Target, and F21. These fun pops of color can dress any look from casual to night. (And I must say - wear all white with a pop of teal beaded earrings it's so so chic! Bonus points if the earrings have some bamboo woven dealing too!)

Cost: $18

Cost: $20

5. Hair Scarfs
Dress up your ponytail with a silk hair scarf, tie the scarf around your neck for a nautical look, or glam up your straw tote bag with a scarf tied on the handle. with countless ways to use a silk scarf, the endless prints, and styles - I'm sure you'll look like a trendsetter with this accessory.

Cost: $12

Cost: $12

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LUSH COSMETICS BODY SCRUBS YOU NEED!

LUSH COSMETICS is all about natural ingredients and helping give back to our lovely planet. Everyone flocks to see the adorable bath bombs and zillion bubbles from the bubble bars but everyone is missing this diamond of a product! I personally feel their line of shower scrubs is one of the best products they carry.

Continue reading to hear why YOU NEED a body scrub from LUSH!

On a recent visit to LUSH, I was telling the associate about how I enjoy blogging and from time to time I blog about LUSH. She asked what is one of my favorite products (which is the rub rub rub shower scrub) and she loaded me with samples of their other 'tubbed' scrubs to review about.
*These scrubs are all in the classic black tubs that LUSH packages their products in. There's also solid scrubs that you can purchase as well - package free. Today I was only reviewing items that will be sold in the black tubs.*

Mama Mia - it's a bright pinky color scrub that has a kick of grapefruit. Reminds me of the same texture and results I get from Magic Crystals. It has fine Sea and Himalayan salts as its exfoliant.
Cost: $28.95 21.8oz

Magic Crystals - A fun minty scented scrub with Epson salts and sea salts. The bold purple color gives me total Halloween vibes.
Cost: $17.95 10.5oz

Scrub Scrub Scrub - total sister to the rub rub rub. Same buffing effect but the difference is color and scent. This has some cleansing charcoal mixed in + salt for its exfoliant and the scent is a berry-sweet scent.
Cost: $17.95 11.6oz

Rub Rub Rub - Like mentioned above, similar to Scrub Scrub Scrub but light blue color and floral scented. This has fine sea salt as its exfoliant. My ultimate favorite.
Cost: $22.95 11.6oz

Ocean Salt - Super salty scrub that has an ocean like scent to it. You can use both on face and body; though its main focus is for the face. Honestly, my least favorite on the scrub collection - but the first scrub I ever tried. I might revisit this beaut down the road to see if I notice any difference.
Cost: $21.95 4.2oz

FACT: The prices versus the size of the product might be different compared to others. Remember the prices is based on the ingredients used.

TIP: Anytime you're near a LUSH drop by for a sample or two! You can even test the product in-store! The first time I tested Rub Rub Rub I was in-store and the associate gave me a full hand/arm massage with it.

I hope you enjoy this post and as always follow Instagram for daily posts! Your follow on IG will bring me one step closer to goals I hope to reach!
- Brittney

Beauty + Skincare EMPTIES

Its that time again where I grab up the basket of "empties" and go over how I felt about the products! I've been really enjoying this because I can really sit back and dissect the product (from packaging, quality, short/long term results, etc). The best part is I'm using up items I've had sitting around and making space for new items to try!

If you would like to hear what EMPTIES I have and what products I plan to repurchase continue reading!

- Kristin Ess Extra Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner
So shocked. I used up an entire set of haircare products! Honestly didn't see anything 'amazing' when I used these the first few times. The results were 'eh'. Depending on the weather  conditions the product would either do its job or leave my hair extra oily and flat. The smell is also a bit too perfumey for me. I do think the packaging was nice. The bottles have some natural weight to them which feels pleasing. For the price, I feel you should just go to Ulta and buy a Salon set.


- Eyelure Wispy N152
When I have the time to wear false lashes I love em. This brand has always been an affordable favorite and the wispy is so great for a 'natural glam' look.


- Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water *Pink Bottle*
Best product ever. I have to stress the pink bottle because I did a repurchased but grabbed the blue bottle (and I'm not enjoying it as much.) The pink is an All-in-1 and good for sensitive skin. I also love it comes in smaller travel size bottles!

- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
I have been slowly using this up for ages. It really does lock in the shadow and keeps it from sliding or melting off (which says A LOT because I live in Florida!). I will probably repurchase down the road but I'm currently wanting to try out a few new brands of eyeshadow primer.


- Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser
It has a good foaming pump. Citrus scent. And removes dirt easily. Worked great with my Clarisonic. This is a cult classic but I doubt I'll repurchase because I'm in need of a cleanser that fits all my needs.


- Sephora Collection Avocado Face Mask
This mask was in a collection set I purchased and wow I'm so glad I got to try this! The way the mask was packaged is 100% high quality. I felt the mask is like most sheet masks as in there was a lot of product and the results were normal. I'm going to look more into Sephora's sheet masks next time I'm in-store.

- Abercrombie & Fitch Perfume Sampler
I was given this sample set on a trip to the store. Was super excited to try 3 of their newest perfumes and the package even had a $10 off coupon! The samples had a good 7-9 pumps in it which is great! Ellwood is definitely a beautiful scent.

- Batiste Dry Shampoo "Cheetah bottle"
Like most Batiste Dry Shampoos this one did what was expected. I like the packaging and the scent wasn't too bad either. Definitely, plan to restock on some dry shampoo in the near future! Also watch for this, you can get them at Tjmaxx for much less!

- Dr Jart+ Ceramidin
I received this in a Sephora Play! Kit. It wasn't too terrible of face cream. But definitely isn't my Charlotte's Magic Cream or La Mer. I don't plan to repurchase because I have so many face creams I need to test out and the results from this wasn't that amazing.

- Dirty Works Coconut Body Scrub
Not sure where this came from... It was in my basket of shower scrubs and I thought it was worth using. Definitely had amazing exfoliants in it! The scent felt like a vacation and the exfoliants knocked all the dry skin off in one use! If I could find this product again I would definitely repurchase for prepping my skin for tanning.

- Chapstick
I mean, its Chapstick. Classic. Everyone uses it. Will always have one in my purse!

- Benefit's Bad Gal Lash
I love benefits products - Hoola Bronzer is my jam. But I'm not a fan of this mascara. The brush was very chunky and I felt the product didn't transfer off well. It seemed really clumpy at times and for the cost, it's not worth it.

- Two Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes
I live for these things. Especially when I visit the spa. But I will warn everyone to not skip on using a face cleanser or wiping down your face with some water. These wipes remove makeup but there are some oils and perfume that will leave a strange film-like layer on your skin. If you apply makeup after using one of these it might alter the appearance of your makeup too.

As always don't forget to follow the instagram! I post daily style, beauty, and lifestyle posts! Also when I reach my 'speical' goal I plan to do a huge giveaway! Thanks for all the support! 

- Brittney

Healthy Lifestyle - How I get all 8 Glasses of Water in!

I feel everyone struggles with is getting their daily recommended water intake. I mean, 8 glasses of water a day can sound like a lot - because it is! I envy the people who can just pour a glass throughout the day and by 6pm they’ve reached the suggested amount. I’m the type of gal who had to find tricks to get myself to drink H2o. So if you're in need of some advice on how to get all 8 glasses of water into your daily diet below I mention some helpful tips that I use everyday! 

- Set small goals
If you’re an anti-water drinker you’ll probably struggle to get more than 3 glasses down. So start small, and be proud. Start with 2 or 3 cups and work you way up. 

- Switch up the cup
Something that helps keep me excited to drink water is switching up my ‘water bottle’. Sometimes I’ll match the bottle to the outfit I’m wearing or grab a funky shaped bottle so when I see it, I’ll remember to take a sip.

- Add a vitamin to it
A way I make sure I get my full amount of water needed is by adding a vitamin supplement. Currently, I drink 8oz with a collagen tablet which gives the water a lemon rose flavor but also I know I ‘must’ drink all the water to get that vitamin in for today. Then later in the day when I take my other vitamins I pour another 8oz and remind myself to consume all the water with the vitamins. 

- Flavors help
Add water flavors or fresh fruit if you’re bored of the flavorless water. Water flavors varies from ‘sweet tea’ to ‘lime margarita’. They seriously make a flavor out there for everyone! And fresh fruit you can toss anything from watermelon, berries, to even cucumbers. 

- Ice does the trick too
For me, really cold water is easier to consume than room temperature or Luke-warm water. So I always make sure to add some ice cubes (like the small pellet size from Sonic).

-Remind yourself why you’re doing it
For me, if I tell myself “hey girl, drink this water! It’s going to do wonders for your skin, appetite, weight, and keep you alert to play with Holly” I suddenly get major motivation to drink a little more H2o. Find what will motivate you if its a quote or a goal you want to reach. 

- Reward yourself overtime
The best trick is to reward or ‘treat’ yourself overtime. When I met my 30 day water goal I went and bought a new mascara I’ve been dying to try. I feel keeping a promise to drink water even when you rather have a Coke-a-cola is a reason to celebrate! 

I know these might sound silly or be obvious but the goal is to get the daily recommended amount into yoru diet. If drinking 8 glasses of water is hard for you I hope these tips help!

-Brittney

Testing a Monthly Subscription Kit: PLAY! by Sephora

For years now there’s been monthly subscription kits (the Fab Fit kits, Birchbox, Boxycharm, Sephora, etc). And I’ve always wondered if these kits are truly worth it. The first thing is to decide on a kit. Some are devoted to jewelry, some makeup+skincare, and some for lifestyle.

Today I had the opportunity to test a monthly subscription kit; a Play by Sephora kit. Now a cool fact on Sephora; you can sign up for the monthly subscription or just purchase a “Play Smarts” kit (which informs you in advance what’s in the kit). The “Play Smarts” are usually themed and I have purchased “Play Smarts” kits in the past and loved it. [Image below is of my “Play Smarts” kit. It was a kit based on Age 30’s skincare. Like I said, I LOVED it.]

So when this opportunity to try the regular monthly subscription kit for FREE came around I felt I must try and compare. Now the only difference from the two kits is being aware of what you’ll get versus a kit that is a complete surprise. Both kits came with 5 products + 1 extra bonus, 50 points card to use on your next purchase, and the online how to use video. 

Below you will see images of the regular Play by Sephora kit I received. 

Overall, this kit was alright. For the price you pay you do get a good amount of items. The sizes are deluxe samples/travel sizes so you get more than 3 uses; which I love. There was some nice products and some that I didn’t care for (since the kit is a surprise without me knowing what’s inside a few of the items doesn’t work well with my skin/I already had in my collection.)

If you’re on the fence about trying a monthly kit I recommend doing the homework and reading reviews on if the products were legitimate, if the kit has a ‘personal profile’ so you will get items custom to your needs, and if you can purchase something that you already know whats coming to you (like the “Play Smarts” kits by Sephora). 

Places to Visit: Bellingrath Gardens

Recently Bryce, Holly and I went on a small day trip to the Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Alabama. Let me tell you, this is truly a hidden gem. On 65 acres of land with tons of different and very unique gardens to walk through (something beautiful is blooming all year), a gorgeous home that you can tour to see the countless porcelain collection Mrs. Bellingrath collected, and even visit the small chapel right next door. Don’t forget to have lunch at the Cafe! 
I don’t want to give away all the information of this house but there’s many features that was built for this house that made it "ahead of its time". Also many of the people who still works here met Mr. Bellingrath before he passed away (so they have lots of information about the family and what they enjoyed doing). There’s a large collection of Coke-A-Cola memorabilia since Mr. Bellingrath was one of the first to bottle Coke-A-Cola (this is where a majority of his wealth came from).
Best of all, the Gardens play host to beautiful Christmas lights if you’re in the area during the winter months. Below you’ll see some photos we snapped during our tour.
I definitely recommend visiting this hidden gem if you’re a fan of architecture, history, and the magic a secret garden can bring.
 - Brittney 

Get the MOST out of your Lush Cosmetics Experience

Like most people, I love treating myself with some skincare/bath items and a store I can’t avoid is LUSH Cosmetics. First of all, the smell! Ya’ll complained about smelling Abercrombie and Fitch a mile away, oh LUSH has that same effect. And like most, I notice the prices of these bath bombs and bubble bars... These things aren’t cheap! 

Today I’m giving out my tips on getting the MOST out of your Lush! So you too can enjoy LUSH the way I do.

1: Check the web-shop beforehand
This tip is major. If you walk into a LUSH without an idea on what you want - the associates will take you for a spin and your shopping basket will be packed to the top. What I do is browse the site to see what is new, the prices, and create a list on what I really want and what I just want to ‘look’ at.

2: Pick a side and shop in a circle
If you run around in circles the associates quick thinking is “oh she’s lost. Let me guide her to products” and that is where you can feel pressured or overwhelmed. Pick one side (left or right) and work your way around until you make a full circle of the store.

3: If you need help, ask the associates 
These workers are TRAINED to know everything about every product. So if you are confused or curious about a product - ask.

4: Wanna facial? Foot Treatment? Hand Treatment? Makeup routine? Get one on demand!
The staff is trained to do any type of in-house spa treatment free of charge! They do appreciate if you are purchasing something (it can be an item they used or something else) but do indulge on some spa time if you wish!

5: They are always down to give GENEROUS free samples!
See a soap bar you want to try? Or a face wash? Maybe a lotion? They're always down to give you a product to sample. Just ask. I noticed if you have good vibes and conversations with the associate they’ll give multiple samples (I left once with 5 samples!).

6: Don’t be fooled by the gift sets
Remember when I said visit the web-shop first? Compare prices on buying the products separately VERSUS a gift set. The year round gift sets are a better deal than buying the products separately. But the Holiday gift sets are MORE EXPENSIVE than buying each item separately. I was told this by an actual associate at my local Lush. 

7: Once you’re home, break up the bars
You heard me right! Those giant bubble bars can be cut up into 3, 4, even 6 pieces to create multiple baths! Lush associates will tell you to just crumble a chunk off; but I prefer cutting mine. 
My TIP - get a sharp metal knife, cutting board, and carefully cut slices to the size you wish. Put the pieces into zip bags for easy and dry storage.

8: Bathbombs can be chopped into 2 pieces
Be VERY VERY careful but you can separate bath bombs. My biggest tip if you want to separate your bath bombs is select bath bombs in store that are already separating or have a drastic crack in the middle. Take a butter knife and carefully separate the two. *You can also find videos on Youtube for guidance!*

So there's a few of my tips to get the most out of your LUSH visit. If you have any questions please ask me! And as always follow the instagram for daily posts on fashion, beauty and lifestyle!

-Brittney