July Blog Hop: Red, White & Blue!

I swear I blinked and June was over. (Please be prepared to be inundated with box reviews as I catch up on all the ones I’ve been hoarding. ) In any case, it’s now July 1^st which means Blog Hop Time! I’m part of an awesome Facebook group of beauty bloggers and each month (on the 1^st) we all post about the same theme. For July we’re going patriotic with our red, white and blue picks.

For my post I decided to choose a few things in the beauty, fashion and accessory categories. Some are favorites I bought and loved, some are items I plan to pick up soon and there are a couple I’m lusting over from afar. Last month I went with a nautical vibe, and this time I feel like my picks have a touch of wanderlust to them. So let’s get shopping and you can tell me what you think.

BEAUTY

Vasanti Kajal Extreme Eye Pencil in Electric Navy
(Retail: $18.00)
Description: “This kohl pencil glides on easily, adding instant drama to your look, while the waterproof formula stays put for up to eight hours. Plus, each pencil has a handy built-in smudger and sharpener, so you can create well-defined or sultry looks.”
This eyeliner came in my Birchbox Limited Edition Mermaid box (which I will be posting about soon!). I don’t usually like pencil liners but this one went on smooth and I adore the color. It’s this oceany, super-saturated navy that’s not too dark. If you’ve got some Birchbox points to spend, this is a great choice for the summer.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella (Scarlet Red)
(Photo from sephora.com)
(Retail: $25.00)
Description: “Combining the convenience of a pencil with the application of a lipstick in a jumbo-sized crayon design, these pigment-rich sticks provide a matte, creamy finish that will not dry the lips. Enriched with emollients, vitamin E, and silicone, each gorgeous shade glides on and stays put.”
While I love lip glosses and sheer shades, when I want to go red I prefer matte. The NARS velvet matte lip pencils are my go-to for matte colors and I love this scarlet red pencil.   I pair this with a cat eye liner and a light golden shadow for a classic pinup look for evening. The pencil goes on smoothly and holds up to hanging out in your purse in the summer heat. If you’re looking for a bombshell red, this is for you.

Soraphine from Julep
(Retail: $10.00 on sale)
Description: “Classic sheer white crème”
I received this polish in my March Maven box and fell in love. It’s a super sheer white polish with buildable coverage. The more opaque you want it, the more layers you use. It’s classic on its own or beautiful for jelly sandwich manicures (a glitter layer between two sheer layers). If you enjoy Julep polishes, I recommend this one as a must have.

FASHION

Skate Night Jeans by Modcloth
(Photos from modcloth.com)
(Regular Sizes: $59.99 Plus Sizes: $64.99 )
Description: “Sure, the movies are romantic, but so is a day spent at the skatepark with your special someone. Clad in these high-waisted stretch jeans – a ModCloth-exclusive design – you try out new tricks that wow your cute companion.”
I am short-waisted with long legs and carry most of my weight in my stomach. For me, pants shopping is like the seventh circle of hell. Then, I found these “jeans” by Modcloth. They come in regular and plus size, and they are amazing. They are stretchy, but smooth you out without showing any lumps and bumps. They aren’t denim, but a a cotton twill so they are perfect for wearing to work and dressing up or down and the dark navy is the perfect neutral for year round wear. They are incredibly comfortable and perfect for vacation sightseeing. I loved them so much I bought a second pair. These pants run long so just be aware you’ll probably need to hem them or wear heels/wedges.

Sunfade Maxi Dress from Anthropologie
(Photo from Anthropologie.com)
(Retail: $298.00)
Description: “Sunny tones mix with cool blues to make a one-of-a-kind maxi that can transition from desk to dinner with a simple tousle of the hair..”
So this dress is firmly in the lust from afar category, since it’s well out of my budget. But I swear I’m so in love with it. The ethereal print reminds me of far off places you visit in dreams.
Just a few tips for the budget conscious when shopping at Anthro:
Save everything to your wishlist! Things can disappear from the site but still come back in stock. I have scored some amazing deals that way.
Stalk their sale page! I’ve gotten awesome purses at a fraction of the cost.
Call their customer service if something is sold out online! They can often give you a store location where you can pick up that fabulous sale item.

Kimchi Blue Margarita Lace Maxi Skirt from Urban Outffitters
(Photo from urbanoutfitters.com)
(Retail: $89.00)
Description: “Lace maxi skirt from Kimchi Blue in a full, paneled design with contrasting floral patterns.  Trimmed with a stretchy crochet waistband. “
Is there really anything to say but white, lace maxi skirt? I adore the boho vibe this has and it’s just so romantic. It will go with anything and you can dress it up or down. This is another one I’ll be stalking for sales.

ACCESSORIES

Maine Character Backpack from Modcloth
(Photo from modcloth.com)
(Retail: $54.99 on sale!)
Description: “Take yourself on a solo writer’s retreat, packing what you need into this blue backpack from Jesslyn Blake.”
I saw this bag and fell in love, but at the original price it was over my budget. It went on sale and I snagged it. I didn’t have any type of bookbag and the rustic feel of this one just made me imagine grabbing it and running off for a weekend in a Maine cabin. I love mine and I think it’s a steal at the sale price.

Nysa Shawl from Anthropologie
(Photo from Anthropologie.com)
(Retail: $88.00)
Description: “Spring’s first breezes deserve layers that are just as lovely, such as this light-as-air shawl from Angel of the North.”
Shawls are a highly under-utilized accessory. They are perfect to combat summer ocean breezes and when paired with a maxi dress they give a much more romantic look than a typical cardigan. I really love this one and am stalking it until it goes on sale.

Good Fortune Pomegranate Locket from Gypsy
(Photo from Gypsy.com)
(Retail: $330.00)
Description: “This oxidized and gold-plated pomegranate locket opens to reveal an abundant trove of red dyed jade seeds. A symbol of abundance and good-fortune, this festive fruit is sweet inside and out.”
Long, long ago they featured this necklace on Anthropologie and I fell in love. The adorable pomegranate locket opens up and there are beautiful red stones inside to mimic the seeds. It, like so many things, is way outside my budget but if I win the lottery or finally sell a novel, then I’ll be making this beauty mine.


Blue & White Ombre Linen Summer Scarf from Scoutmob
(Photo from scoutmob.com)
(Retail: $67.00 on sale)
Description: “This ombré linen scarf features Mediterranean blue ends that play on the transparency of the open weave linen. Whether tied tightly or hanging loosely around the neck, this style transcends seasons. The rich linen texture softens with every wear.”
I love the ethereal quality to this fabric. It makes me think of far off fishing villages and stories about sea monsters.

 

Walk of the Town Flat in Floral from Modcloth
(Photo from modcloth.com)

(Retail: $39.99 on sale)
Description: “If it weren’t for a stylish cutie like you taking lots of strolls through town in these navy, floral-print shoes, what would your neighbors have to talk about? The sporty laces and refreshing pattern of this canvas-like pair are conversation points that seemingly never tire!”
I actually picked these up in red before I saw that the blue print ones were available. I just adore the floral on this and I think the colors in it will pair really well with denim. My red pair are super comfy and I grab them whenever I’m running errands. I may just pick up these as well.

 

I’d love to hear what you thought of my picks and what you’d choose in the red, white and blue motif.

If you enjoyed this post, please stop by and visit some of my other blog-hoppers and read their take on beach and pool bag must haves.

BLOG LINK LIST:

Kristina from The Feminine Files

Anna from The Anna Belle Blog 

Angela from Your Beauty Whisperer

Tess from Plastic Bows