PIPM: Pretty in Pink Megan: June 2012

TGIF: Beauty Product Friday

Hey hey!

I've acquired some new beauty products over the past month that I have been waiting to test. I wanted to give them a good run before I recommend them to you all!

I am sure that most of you all think that I am a freak given how often I try skin care products. Well, it's no secret that I am a skincare junkie, so of course I love trying new products. To be quite honest, I am always looking for the miracle product that just blows me away and I haven't found that in a long time.

I think the last time that a product really wowed me was when I used La Mer Gel Cream a couple of years ago, and even then it wasn't so amazing.

I loved Mario Badescu, but it was just a simple skin care line. It was nothing special, it just did its job. If you are looking for a very basic skin care line, I would highly recommend it, but you all know that I am always wanting something that will really work well.

Enter SK-II. I ordered some samples off of eBay a while back and was really floored at how different my skin felt after using their Facial Treatment Essence. It's an interesting concept as it is literally a water like consistency that you just splash on your face, but the results were amazing.

In true fashion, after trying the Facial Treatment Essence I ordered the Cellumination Serum EX which is amazing for fading sun spots and evening out your skin tone.

I returned to my favorite eBay seller last week to order their Facial Treatment Masks. These masks look really scary (as seen in the collage above), but boy do they work!

There are a lot of reports that several eBay sellers sell fake SK-II products, so please do your research before purchasing a sample. Check out the seller's feedback, location, and what others have said about the products.

Moving on ... I also have been dying to try Creed fragrances. They are really expensive for a fragrance, so I jumped on the opportunity to get a tester for nearly half than retail. I really like the Spring Flowers scent, although it kind of reminds me of the scent of hairspray? I can't quite place it- do any of you all use this scent?

The picture above of me with the sunglasses was taken yesterday when I was driving back from a work retreat. I absolutely HATE the sun in my face when I am driving. I wish there were a way to tint cars so dark that the sun wouldn't even come through the glass. I incessantly used the Peter Thomas Roth powder brush sunscreen that I bought last week, but I am not sure that it works very well as I still felt like I got some sun from driving.

Fall 2012 White by Vera Wang

Vera Wang is introducing their Fall 2012 Bridesmaid Collection at David's Bridal.

There is a wide range of bridesmaid's dresses available in this collection. The collection includes new bridesmaid dresses from David's Bridal.

Check out these dresses and more on the David's Bridal website or a David's Bridal near you!

How I Curl My Hair

Oddly enough, a lot of you continue to ask me on blog comments and Instagram how I curl my hair when I use a curling iron.

I can't say that there is some super-secret special way that I use the curling iron. I probably use it like the majority of you all use a curling iron, however, there is a little trick that I like to do to make the curls last for longer.

1. Start out with freshly dried hair

2. Take the top section of your hair and roll up into a bun and secure with clip.

3. Start on one side and curl away from your face section by section.

4. This is where I like to do a little trick- I take the freshly curled hair and roll it up into a twisty bun and leave clipped while I do the other side.

5. Go to other side and curl.

6. Twist other side up.

7. Now you are left with the top portion of your hair. Curl the top including your bangs away from your face.

8. Once all of your hair is curled, run your hands through it.

9. Done

Now, if you're doing this at night, which is what I do a lot, here comes the fun part.

Twist your hair into sections and secure with clips. You can leave them in as long as you want, but with your hair freshly curled this will REALLY make sure your curls stay for a long time. I sometimes even sleep with my hair like this and the curls are insane the next morning; they last for days.

Make sure you don't go in public like this. Or do. Just do what you feel.

Fashion SOS

I haven't done one of these posts in a while and I got an email today that perked my interest in starting up these reader questions again.

Hey Megan!
I've been reading your blog for a long time now! I remember when you used to feature emails that people sent to you about fashion questions and I now have a question for you! I am starting my student teaching apprenticeship this fall so I need a lot of clothes to get me through! However, I don't want to be a frumpy teacher. I saw this lace skirt on Gap. Do you have any ideas on how to wear this type of skirt in terms of shoes/tops? Do you think that this could be a piece that you could transition into the fall? How would you do that? Sorry that I've asked so many questions but you were the first person I thought of to ask! :) I would greatly appreciate any input you have!
Thanks for your time!
-Kelly

The skirt Kelly is referring to is this cute little skirt from Gap:

Gap Lace Skirt

Well, first of all, of course I think that this skirt can be worn in both the summer and the fall.

Here is how I would wear it both ways:

Summer- Top, Earrings, Shoes

Fall- Top, Vest, Shoes

Edit: Some of the comments are suggesting this skirt isn't quite appropriate for the classroom. Maybe not the best piece to wear student teaching since that's your first impression, but it can definitely be worn outside of work!

TGIF

I wore the J.Crew linen pants that I got on sale this week. I also wore them with another necklace that ShopDandy sent me.

My hair is getting SO long. I think it just had a random growth spurt or something because it suddenly got really long.

This is the Gap Maxi dress that was on sale (it's now only $19.99). I got these fun turquoise earrings at H&M for around 7 dollars.

Today

Top: H&M, Skirt: Old Navy (on sale now for $19.99), Necklace: H&M

This & That

I am obsessed with this powder sunscreen that comes out in a brush. I have always wanted a powder sunscreen and this is a great and easy way to make sure you have sun protection. I got these for 12 dollars each at Sephora.

I got the translucent one, but you can also get them in colors to wear as make-up.

Does anyone use SK-II skincare? I got some samples a while back and I must say that my skin has transformed from using their Facial Treatment Essence water. It's crazy. I didn't think it would actually work despite reading great reviews and it's totally transformed my skin. I had some serious rough patches from using all of the Benzoyl products and this essence took those patches completely away.

Today I wore my Gap Striped Crewneck dress. Several people asked about the fit and said that it ran incredibly big. This is the XS and it seems to fit pretty well. It's a little baggy in the back, but I like the fit overall. I want this dress in every color and print combo.

My denim jacket is from H&M and the necklace is from my friend Danielle who is starting a website called Shop Dandy in the fall. She sent me a couple of necklaces and I love them!

I'm happy to announce the giveaway winner for the Tory Burch Giftcard.

The winner is ...

Please email me at PIPMblog@gmail.com to claim your prize :)

Blue & Yellow

T-Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: J.Crew, Necklace: J.Crew, Shoes: Tory Burch, Sunglasses: Celine

Thanks to my friend Brittany for taking these pictures with her awesome camera!

Guest Post: Meet Kathleen

I’m Kathleen from Carrie Bradshaw Lied and I am thrilled and honored to be a guest blogger for Pretty in Pink Megan! This is actually extra special to me because PIPM was my initial inspiration to start my own blog in 2010. I would regularly check in to admire how Megan was bringing fashion trends and style to her sweet n’ Southern city. As another Southern fashionista, I wanted a part of the action and from there Carrie Bradshaw Lied began!

The name came from realizing that my post-grad life wasn’t as fabulous and sprinkled with sparkle as Carrie Bradshaw made me believe my 20’s would be. I quickly realized that I was going to have to bring on the fabulous myself and in my own Southern way! Similar to PIPM, I like to think CBL covers overall style – that includes fashion, home décor, DIY projects, beauty products, travel, treats from the kitchen and of course the occasional you-have-to-watch-this-it’s-hilarious youtube video.

My Style -- fashionable, work-appropriate and budget friendly.

My home – there are several DIY projects in these photos!

I always love to share tasty and healthy recipes that are quick and easy.

Like most self-proclaimed-fashionistas, I love all things designer labeled but like most paycheck-to-paycheck twenty-somethings, I’m on a budget. At Carrie Bradshaw Lied you’ll find “designer option meets budget-friendly option” swaps (like this post here: http://www.carriebradshawlied.com/2012/04/strappy-heels-for-less_23.html), links to the cutest and the newest accessories you must have and favorites from my own closet and how you can incorporate them into your own.

I’m also a November bride so the occasional wedding snip-its are bound to sneak in every now and then!

More than anything, like Megan, I try to show humor and personality in everything that I post. I think that’s why we all come back to PIPM, because she makes us happy and gives us tips and tricks that we can all incorporate into our own style. And in my mind, that’s what blogging is all about.

If you like what you’re reading, I would love for you to come on over and visit my blog, www.carriebradshawlied.com and follow me! I promise to do my very best to keep you entertained, keep your wallet empty since your online shopping will increase AND keep you hungry!

Maxi Mania

Maxi Dress: Calvin Klein, Shoes: Old Navy, Earrings: Kendra Scott, Purse: Goyard St. Louis PM

White Celine Luggage Tote | White Phillip Lim Pashli

Vineyard Vines Swimwear

Note: This is a sponsored post for Darien Sport Shop

How cute are these items from Vineyard Vines swimwear?

These items can all be found at Darien Sport Shop.

Thursday Randoms

I decided to bite the bullet and buy the J.Crew bubble necklace in yellow. I've seen it for so long and I always wanted one, but I put off buying one until yesterday when I popped into J.Crew to check out their sale items.

While I was there I discovered they were having an extra 30% off of sale items, so I got some great things for under 100 dollars total!

These are the leopard Cafe Capri pants. They are more of a linen material, but don't really look like linen unless you look at them up close. Don't mind my pedicure feet.

Did you all watch Dallas last night on TNT? I did and now I am kind of obsessed. The story line was hard to understand at first (perhaps because I didn't watch the original) and it was a little slow in the beginning, but the drama really picked up about half-way through the show.

Did you all watch? If so, what did you think?

Easy Summer

One of my favorite things to wear in the summer are these J.Brand white shorts that I've had forever. I can't tell you how many days I will wear these with any kind of top. Yesterday I wore them with this J.Crew Chambray top and an H&M fedora.

Tory Burch Gift Card Giveaway!

Recently I ordered something from Tory Burch and received a 25 dollar giftcard as a reimbursement for my shipping problems.

Really, you can't get anything with 25 dollars, but I figured I could give it away to someone who may have something in mind they want to order.

Just leave a comment and I will select a winner a week from Today (Monday, the 18th of June).

Nothing else you have to do, unless you want to follow via Google friend connect and follow me on twitter, but those things won't get you any extra entries, it will just be a kind gesture ;)

Manic Monday

You all know that I am always looking for a new scent, however, the chemicals in perfume are some of the strongest out there, so I am always looking for alternatives. I was sent this wonderful scent by GIVE scent, which is all natural and free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates and formaldehydes.

I love the smell of this GIVE scent, but let me tell you a little goes a long way. I made the mistake of slathering it on my wrist when I first got it and it was way too strong. I just put a dab on my wrist and the scent lasts all day!

Do you all think that I have enough striped dresses? The two I posted about last week from Gap came in and they are great. The other one is a trade from a friend. I love having a friend that wants to trade clothes with me.

I have a confession. I got the Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel last week on eBay (it was a store return), but I am not sure I am going to keep it. What do you all think? I like it a lot, I just don't really think it's my style. If you like it, email me and maybe you can buy it from me if I decide to sell it.

I went to the dermatologist last week and got this prescription gel that is awesome. It has to be refrigerated, so that's odd, but it really does work.