Saturday, May 31, 2014

Summer Style & Relaxation


I’ve been gone for a few days now because of my crazy new job. I am working a night shift position (from 6 pm until 3 am), so my sleeping patterns have been a bit off. I’m starting to get in the swing of things and thought I would share my first ever OOTD post with you—I’m not too keen on having my picture taken, but I figured I have to just jump in and start sometime!

Last Saturday evening I didn’t have much to do, so I spent some time with my family. We went out to eat, and it was nice having us all together after being apart while I was at college for so long. Even though it’s summer, it was a bit chilly outside, so I paired my new dress from Forever 21 with tights and my black oxfords. Black isn’t your typical color for summer, but I find that it looks classic year round. I think this ensemble was simple and sleek. I wore it once while at college, and it’s something I look forward to wearing again next fall.



Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: DSW

I kept my makeup basic since I didn’t have much time to get ready. I used a bit of concealer and powder with a swipe of eyeliner on my upper lid and mascara to finish it off.

I got home later that evening and used my bath bomb from LUSH. I did a little review of my LUSH products earlier (to read it click here), and I mentioned that I hadn’t actually tried the bath bomb yet. My bathtub isn’t very big, so I actually cut it in half and used only part of it. I love the way it seemed to fizz in my tub and it smelled sooo good. If you haven’t given one a try, I definitely recommend you do!

I’m hoping to post again soon. Thanks for dealing with my hectic schedule and random posting.

Until next time,
Maggie D. xx

Saturday, May 24, 2014

A little inspiration for you all...


Hello loves,
I have been doing a lot of thinking these past few days, and I wanted to do a post about what has been running through my mind.

I am nineteen years old, and I feel like I haven’t accomplished very much in my life. I am from a teeny tiny town in the middle of the United States, and I haven’t checked many things off my “life goals list.” Watching YouTubers and bloggers that travel all around the world makes me feel as though I’m lacking in life experiences. Traveled out of the country? Hasn’t happened. Visited the big cities in the US? I was in LA last year (it was perfect, by the way!), but I haven’t done that either. Even starting a YouTube channel? Only a dream. But this year I want to change this.

I am a nervous person by nature, which is why I have always been afraid to push myself. I didn’t take photography classes because I thought I wasn’t going to be good at it. Now I’m interested in photography and wish I would have had learned basics earlier on so I could be taking better photos now. I was too scared to learn an instrument, but now I’m wishing I would have learned guitar because I just love that instrument. It’s probably my favorite, and now I would have to start as a beginner. At my age? You can’t teach an old dog new tricks…

Well, this is all going to change, starting now. Last spring, I decided on where I was going to college and what I wanted to do. Instead of going to college for something “safe,” I’m going for magazine journalism and English. I love to write, and I’ve learned so much from my first year at college already. I know there aren’t heaps of jobs in journalism, but I figured I need to pursue what I want, and so far I am in love with my decision.

After graduation, my parents are hoping that I stay close. I appreciate my small town roots. These experiences helped me become the person I am today, but I’m looking forward to exploring. I love to travel, but I have hardly had the opportunity to see what this big world has in store. I’ll have mounds of debt, but I’ve decided to just move somewhere I’ve always wanted. Right now, I have my sights set on LA, NYC, or London. I’ve never been to New York or London, but I’m planning on studying abroad in London next spring (I can’t wait!). I can’t hold back—I just need to do it. I’ll be 22 when I graduate (which, is my golden birth age too—it’s gonna be a good year), and that’s the perfect time to set my roots somewhere new.

My dream has always been to write for a fashion magazine, and that is what I still aspire to do. I don’t want to give up on that. I just want to keep on working hard to get there. I’m hoping to see my name on a byline in Refinery 29, NYLON, or Company magazines. (A girl can dream, right?)

I’ve realized that this is the time in my life in which I need to do what I want to do. I don’t want to look back 20 years from now and regret not doing what I want. I’m planning on starting a YouTube channel this summer, and I’m hoping to get all the funds I’ll need to study abroad next spring. Maybe when I’m abroad I’ll get my hair done like Lou Teasdale’s at a Bleach salon, maybe I’ll finally visit a city in the US that I haven’t been. I’m not sure what that “thing” will be, but maybe I’ll just do it.

This is my final statement for you: do what you want, even if that means doing something little tomorrow. Want to make a little splurge on that makeup palette you have been eyeing for the past month? Always wanted to ask that cute guy out (I have…)? Just do it! I need to push myself too. Maybe that means saving up for that backpacking trip that you’ve always wanted to take through Europe with your besties or a weekend in Cali. Just find a way to make it work. Fight for it. And, most importantly, try not to regret anything. You will make mistakes, but these mistakes will help you become an even stronger woman.

I’m hoping to look back on this post a year from now and smile. I’m hoping I can say, “Yes, I did that! I never thought I would!” I’m sick of sitting back and wishing. I just need to do it.

Sorry about how long this is, but I just wanted to share my recent “inspirations” with you all. I’m hoping I follow through with these things, and I’m hoping you all can take a chance and follow what you want to do too. What have you been holding back from doing? I would love to hear more about what you aspire to do—maybe I can get some new ideas of things I’d like to do one day too!

Thanks for reading,
Maggie D. xx

Here's a little edit I made from a photo I took on my way to LA last year.

P.S.: Check out Nina Nesbitt’s “Way in the World” if you still feel like you’re trying to find yourself. I’m at that stage in my life, and it basically sums it all up. I think you would like it J

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

My new LUSH Life


Hello loves,
Now that I am back, I would like to do a few posts about my new favorites that I discovered this spring at college. The first products that I am excited to share are from LUSH.

I had always wanted to give LUSH products a try, but there was never a store near me, and I try not to shop online if I don't have to. I’ve heard so many great reviews, and I was intrigued because they offer products that are safe for the environment and they do not use animal testing. These are both huge pluses for me. I had LUSH on my shopping list when I was at the Mall of America, but it was under renovation, so I couldn’t make a purchase. However, I stopped by the store near my University in Des Moines which I didn’t even realize existed! We had a nice little “tour” around the store and I quite obviously had to pick up a few products to try.

I have been using the Tea Tree Water toner twice a day, with a few spritzs before I go to bed and a few after I wash my face and before I put on my makeup in the morning. The spray smells so refreshing and has a cooling feeling on my skin. However, I am not sure if I’ve noticed much of a change in the way my skin looks or feels. I have naturally oily skin, but the product didn’t seem to do very much in regards to that. It is refreshing, but I’m not sure if it is a product I would purchase again. If I did decide to invest in the product in the future, I would be more likely to use it as a de-stresser spritz--it makes me feel calm and renewed.


I also picked up this Strawberry Feels Forever massage bar, and I am in love. It smells so good and leaves my skin feeling baby soft. Again, the smell is enough to make me want to continue to purchase this product--it is well worth it.
Although I haven’t actually had the chance to try this product, I have seen Zoe and other bloggers and Youtubers loving the bath bombs. I loved the design and scent, so I figured I would give the Pink Bath Bomb a try. I didn’t have a bath at my University, and I just got home last week, so I’m still transitioning and getting everything moved. It will be used soon, I promise. It smells really girly, almost reminding me of a candy shop. Maybe, if I really like it, I'll go buy some different bath bombs to try!


Having terrible blackheads, I wanted to find a product that could help me get rid of these pesky things. I was going to pick up a smaller container, and they didn’t have any available before I left to go back home, so I got a sampling of their Mask of Magnaminty. It smells great, especially if you have a liking for a minty fresh scent. I think I need to use the product a little longer to start to see real results, but there’s definitely some hope in this product. I am really considering ordering it online because it does seem to be helping my skin!

Have you ever tried any Lush products? What would you recommend I purchase the next time I visit?

Talk with you soon,
Maggie D. xx 

P.S.: I’ll be starting my ten and a half hour night shifts for my job tomorrow, so I’ll be figuring out my regular posting days soon. Thank you for understanding!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Summer is Here, Once Again.


Hello loves,
I hate to say that I failed yet again, but I got so behind posting. For that, I am so sorry. Life gets crazy, and it becomes hard to keep up. Between writing articles for my writing and reporting class, working on designs for my visual communication class, and writing papers for both of my English classes, life got wayyy to out of hand. I had a blog post written for my March favorites, and I never even got around to posting it. However, I will (hopefully) get back to posting regularly over the summer. I have an intense summer job with 10 and a half hour work days, and I am working the night shift, so my days are going to need some adjusting. I will try to get into a schedule of posting soon so I might be a little easier to follow! I’ll give you lovely people a little update in this post, and I promise I’ll have a favorites post to for you all soon.

I took on quite a bit this spring semester of my first year at college. I wrote an article for Drake Magazine in their print edition, and it was such fun to do. It was about sustainable fashion and healthier clothing alternatives, and I’m thinking about scanning in a copy for you to read if you so please. I was able to interview some designers and bloggers, and it all came together really well. It’s incredible seeing your byline in print.

I continued to blog for Drake Magazine Online, and it was just as great of an experience this semester as it was my first semester. I was given the opportunity to come up with a new post each week, and I was in charge of getting pictures and editing done by each Monday. While I wasn’t too keen on the photos (I like to say I’m not photogenic!), I must say I had an incredible time working for the magazine and I’m hoping to find a way to get involved next year again. If you would like to take a closer look at what I did, then I’ll post a link below so you can check out what I wrote for them.

(My favorite was my post about styling a basic tee—you should check it out. It's perfect for summer!)

Some friends and fellow classmates also featured me in two articles for my fashion and blogging, and it was interesting getting interviewed and not doing the interviewing myself! I’ll leave you links to those two articles as well so you can get a different glimpse of what I’ve done.


Outside of schoolwork, I had some incredible times with my friends. College has given me the opportunity to find people who have so many things in common with me, and it is amazing to find people who will, well, fangirl about the same things. I was able to see Hoodie Allen in Des Moines when he came for my college’s big event, Drake Relays. The concert was downtown in the city, and I had such a blast going to that. I was so stoked to see Karmin and Bonnie McKee when I found out that they would be coming to a local venue. My friend, Aundrea, (and roommate & fellow London traveller) and I went to see them, and I was able to see one of my friends from high school, which was fun too.
Two of my friends from my journalism class and I at Hoodie Allen

My friend Alli, from high school, and I at the Karmin concert

We were second row, so I got some awesome pictures of Amy, Nick, and Bonnie!

Also, during this time, I celebrated my 19th birthday. I got The Craft and an adorable surprise party from my friends at college. I haven’t ever been to a world market, so luckily one of my friends got me digestives. I don’t know what I would do all summer without them!
My lovely birthday gift!

And yes, that is a Niall Horan cake topper that I got from my lovely friend Brittany. :)
The gifts from my parents--including The Craft. xx

I worked on my writing this semester in both my English and journalism classes, which was an extremely great (and exhausting) thing to do.  I also took a great visual communication class that taught me a lot about design, and how much my blog layout is in need of a facelift! While these courses were a challenge, I think they solidified that I’m doing what I want to do.

I’ve done a bit of shopping so I have a few favorites and new things I’ve tried that I can’t wait to share with you all.

Here are my plans for the summer, and I would love to see what you have planned:
  • Work, work, work, work
  • BLOG
  • Improve my photography skills
  • Finish applying for studying abroad in London
  • Read (Do you have any book suggestions? Leave them in the comments below)
  • Make a new blog layout
  • Start a YouTube channel (?!)


I’m going to miss everyone at college so much, but I’m excited to see what this summer has in store. Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to see your beautiful faces again soon!

Much love,
Maggie D. xx
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