Self Tanner Spiel

First, let me apologize for my lack of blogger presence. I always regret the times I take a break from blogging because its such a good outlet of expression.  I've been so crazy busy this semester and finally I feel like I have some time to devote back to my blog.

Secondly, I want to talk about something I feel very passionate about during the spring and summer... SELF TANNING. Okay let's get this straight, I love to be tan. I love the color it gives me, and the way it makes my skin glow, and the fact that I have a new color palate in my wardrobe that actually flatters me when I'm a little tanner. However... I like to achieve this color in a safe way. I am the biggest advocate for self tanners because they don't cause harm like the sun and tanning beds do. I have tried tons and tons and tons and I've had really bad streaky legs and really stained palms but you know what.... I've had healthy skin!  I am anti tanning bed and pro-self tanner/spray tans, and I've found several that don't cause streaky lines or nasty orange palms.

Also, it's just as unsafe to go lay out without SPF as it is to get into a tanning bed, any time your skin darkens you run the risk of over sun exposure. Now Vitamin D does some wonderful things for your body and I am not saying don't go outside, but just slab on some SPF before you do, or find ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. I have found ways to incorporate SPF  in my face moisturizers, lotions, and powders.

I say if you wanna be tan do it in a safe way. Spray tans are also great and often I've found deals on tanning websites where they give out free spray tans or run promos like buy one get one free. (  ex. Palm Beach Tan, Hollywood Tans, or even Groupon!)

You can be tan and beautiful... but don't do it in a way that's causing your skin harm!

Check out some of my favorite self tanners that I've found to be successful without the undesirable side effects!

P.S. While I love being tan, all skin colors are beautiful. Remember that! 

XOXO

-Rachel

My Beauty Dupes

Calling all Practical Prepsters! I love makeup, hair products, beauty products and perfumes, but lets be honest the good stuff is expensive.... but not all the time.

Clarisonic vs Sephora face brush

Okay so this one is more of a practical comparison, I use this Sephora face bash which is only 10 dollars every day and it has done wonders for my skin. I originally wanted a clarisonic but then I looked at reviews and found that just doing a good manual scrub works just as well as having a electronic brush. You just have to put it the work!


                           Benefit's Erase Paste vs NYX full coverage concealer

I used erase paste for the past three years. I love this concealer as it perfectly blends and hides my skin imperfections. However, when I ran out of it this summer I didn't have a Sephora close by so I ran to target and picked up the NYX full coverage concealer. Coming in at only 5 dollars this concealer has not only done exactly what the Benefit product did but its also lasted me now 5 months! That was the best five dollars I've ever spent!



Clinique powder vs Maybelline Fit Me matte powder

Now if you've read my posts before you know how much I love Clinique's products and I have a hard time trying new foundations and powders because I just love the way the products glide on my skin so much. However, I was in a pinch and needed powder fast for a performance so I once again trekked to target ( I never have trouble finding more than I need there) and picked up this Maybelline powder. I love how light it is but also the full coverage it provides. The matte finish leaves my skin looking flawless!



MAC matte eyeshadow vs NYX Matte eyeshadow pots
Literally this one is comical. I was at a show this past weekend and doing my makeup and looked around and my best friend had her mac eyeshadow pots out. The funny part was we had the exact same colors, a nude and a plum. Because I knew I was doing a post about dupes I asked her if I could compare the consistency... they were so similar. Difference.. NYX $5 MAC $16

Practical Prep Survival Guide: Winter Weather

Hello everyone! 

The weather has finally taken a turn for the coldest down here in Virginia, with a Christmas at 80 degrees I never thought I would break out my comfy sweaters and cozy socks. Well the cold has finally arrived, and the with the weather currently at 14 degrees these essentials are within grabbing reach! 

Check out my cold weather essentials:

Eos lip balm

Okay can we be honest, it's not only effective but it's also so darn cute! 

Oversized sweaters 

Literally can't get enough of my two new thrifty sweaters. One is from Brooks Brothers and the other is Jcrew, I thrifted both and got them for under 10!

Destress bubble bath 

Baths are the perfect time to warm up and destress, and nothing is better than a eucalyptus scent to soothe me deeper into the warm water after a chilly day.

(Shout out to Allison for this perfect gift!)

Ugg boots

Okay guilty pleasure, I love how warm and comfy these things are, I wear them to dance and maybe to run into the grocery store. Seriously though, it doesn't get much warmer than these furry shoes! 

Rosebud salve

If your like me, your skin gets dry and gross when it gets cold. I slab this stuff on at night before I go to bed on my palms and my lips, and it keeps me from being crackly and over-dry in the morning! 

Clinique moisturizer

Nothing like a chapped nose and flaky dry skin. I put this on any chance I get! Check out eBay for finding this product on discount! 

Blanket scarves

I've now added three more blanket scarves to my collection, but I can't help myself, they are so versatile and warm! 

This wintry season has just begun, what's you secret to surviving  these chilly days? 

Simple Semester Resolutions

Instead of making New Years resolutions I've decided to make resolutions specific to my last semester at GMU.... eep!!! that's scary!

1. Enjoy the friends I have around me and appreciate the time spent with them
2. Go into DC more often and explore
3. Don't be afraid to go out on Thursday, or Wednesday...maybe even Tuesday
4. Make the most out of faculty connections and experiences
5. Make new memories and try something new
6. Cherish every second of being in college and embrace my inner school spirit
7. Relax, your only a college student for a little longer
8. Be okay with making mistakes
9. Meet new people
10.Be more daring

Christmas Haul 2015

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and a wonderful new year. I spent most of my time relaxing by the fire in deep conversation with my family, with a warm coffee in my hand. And honestly, it was absolutely perfect. Besides new memories and joyous family traditions, I also received quite the preppy little loot in gifts!
Check out my Christmas haul, I can't wait to style these items soon! 

Christmas 2015 by restover featuring J.Crew

No Space? Time? Money? - My DIY Holiday Decor

I'm so excited to share with y'all my Holiday decor from my little townhouse.  Now, we didn't have much space, time, or money to spend on decoration so I got inventive, and one could say practical ;)
Check out my decorations below:

Washi Tape Christmas Tree: 

This was so easy! I topped off the tree with a sparkly tulle bow and added real ornaments to give it a 3D effect! Lastly, I put  a tree skirt on the floor and our roommate presents at the bottom to make it look like a real Christmas tree, complete with the presents! 

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes:

I stole this idea from Pinterest, I just bought a 5 dollar pack of popsicle sticks and made huge snowflakes that I spray painted gold! They were an elegant touch to our dining room. I also made a big Star of David ( not pictured, but with the same popsicle sticks) because my best friend is Jewish and I wanted to decorate for Hanukkah as well!












Ornaments from the Chandelier:
I love the way this looked. I used the same ornaments that were on the tree and strung them in layers from the chandelier in our dining room!

Paper Fans:
My roommate bought these cute paper fans from the craft store. They came in red, green, and white and in all different sizes. They were the perfect focal piece above our TV!

Felt Lights:

I had leftover felt from my Halloween costume and  I really wanted to decorate our basement with something colorful. So I cut out light shaped felt pieces and strung them from ribbon to look as if they were a big strand of colorful lights!

Stockings:
We had multiple sets of stockings, so we hung little ones by our fireplace and then we hung our bigger ones on our staircase!

A Winter Wreath:
Finally, I made this wreath by purchasing a three dollar blank wreath from Michaels, and then adding all the little elements. It's so much cheaper to make your own wreath vs buying one pre-made. I wanted to do it in blue and silver to also represent Hanukkah, and also so that I could keep it up past Christmas and it work as a winter wreath!










All in all I think I spent $20 total when decorating my house! Finding cheap and easy ways to decorate is fun and I love a little DIY project especially around the holidays!

How do you decorate your house for the Holidays?

MarleyLilly = The Perfect Personalized Present

Hey Y'all.
I am so so excited to be one of the bloggers who was chosen to represent MarleyLilly, If you haven't checked out their website before it's well worth it! I love this brand and continuously go back for all things monogramed and preppy.
This brand is perfect for anything and everything monogramed! They have so many options, for the preppy, sporty, and causal shopper!
They sent me this beautiful Taylorette Bracelet that I have now worn at least three times a week! Check out how I styled my stack here: ( paired with Alex & Ani and David Yurman)

If you are still looking for Christmas Presents for your friends, mothers, girlfriends, or family members, these are my particular favorites from their website:

1. Monogramed Downtown Tassel Purse









 2. Monogrammed Teardrop Stone Bracelet













  3.Monogrammed Tassel Earrings











                                                                                         4.Monogrammed Heathered Fleece Pullover

Shopping on Cyber Monday? MarleyLilly is celebrating by a free gift with a $50 purchase!

Check back soon to hear more about this brand and the deals they have to offer!