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!

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.

DrakeMag Online: http://drakemagazine.com/author/maggie-dickman/

(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.

College Fashionista: http://www.collegefashionista.com/accessories-report-trendsetting-with-a-twist/#prettyPhoto

Times Delphic Blogging Feature: http://timesdelphic.com/2014/04/21/students-turn-to-blogging-to-explore-their-interests

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

Mall of America Haul

Hello lovelies,

            I’m finally back! I am sorry I took a few days off—I just went on an incredible shopping trip. In and around my small town, there are really no great places to go shopping. I love going on mini family trips anyway, so the fact that we were able to go to one of the biggest malls in the United States was AMAZING. I was so incredibly happy. I was also able to meet up with one of my college friends who lives in the area which was a blast as well. I am not posting this to brag at all! I am really hoping it doesn’t come across that way. I never get the chance to splurge, so when I get the opportunity to go shopping at a good mall, then I take the chance. I have put in extra hours at work, so I figured I would let myself do a little shopping. So, without further ado, here are my purchases!

            So, the first place I stopped was Urban Outfitters. I love looking at their merchandise online, so I figured I would take a little peek inside. While most of their original priced merchandise is too spendy for me, I headed back to the sale and found an adorable denim dress jumper. It was on sale for $20, and I am in LOVE. I thought a nice printed crop top would look perfect underneath, and I found that at my next stop.

Sorry for the terrible angle--I was running out of daylight so I had to take it here!

            If you don’t know, I am obsessed with Forever 21. They have cheap prices and clothes that I just love. This store was a huge two stories, so I was in shopping shock. So, I went through the store hunting for a cheap crop top perfect for summer to go with my new jumper, and I found a cute floral one for only $8.80. It’s perfect for summer, and I love the print! I also found an adorable London tee for only $10.80 (since London is still my dream!). As I told you before, my style icon is Lou Teasdale. I have adored her striped jeans that she wore at my concert (how cool!), so I went on a hunt to find a pair. I found some on Forever 21’s website, and when I went to the store, I couldn’t find the pair I was looking for. However, I was going through the clearance, and I found the jeans on sale for $16.99. Then, I found out they were an extra 50% off of that, so they ended up being $8.49. It doesn’t get better than that. I also bought a band tee that Lou has (or a very similar) for $15.80. I was one happy girl leaving that store.

            I headed into Aerie next, in which they have plenty of dainty lingerie. I got this lacey bra on sale for $15. I thought it would be perfect to wear under a tee or tank for summer, and I love the light peach color.

            I had never been to a Nordstrom, or a Topshop for that matter, but I had dreamed of Topshop for as long as I can remember. I love everything! So, I had to take a peek and see what I could find. Of course, regularly priced merchandise is quite expensive, so I headed to the sale and found some gorgeous products. When I laid eyes on the sweater, it was love at first sight. It was regularly $72, on sale for $19.99. It was perfect. I also got this chunky, silver jeweled necklace for $9.98, originally $20.00. I also got this gorgeous, jeweled brooch for $9.98, originally $28.00. I got an over-sized, chain necklace that I thought was so unique for $14.98, originally $40.00. I had some amazing sales there! I also heard that Batiste products are incredible, and I had never seen them anywhere near me before, so I purchased some dry shampoo for $8.00. I’m so excited to try it!

            I had to stop at American Apparel and see what I could find, and I had to take a peek at their bows. I love Bethany Mota on YouTube, and she is always wearing the most adorable bows, so I had to buy one! I got this giant pink one for $10, and I cannot wait to wear it!

            When I met up with my friend from college, she recommended some stores for me to check out. I went to Francesca’s, a little boutique, and got these gorgeous earrings on sale for $4.99. Everything there was absolutely adorable!

            We also went into a jewelry store called Six, and again, sale jewelry got me. I got this adorable ring for only $1.99. It doesn’t get any better than that.

            She also took me to DSW, Designer Shoe Warehouse. I had never been to one, and I definitely never expected to buy anything. We were looking through the sale shoes, and I found some adorable shoes. They are Betsey Johnson, and were originally $104.94. I looked and saw they were 80% off, which was incredible. I got them for only $20.99. Basically the best sale of the day!

            I also took a pit-stop at H&M and got a few things. I was looking for a new bag, and this bag was on sale for only $15.00! I also got a new, statement necklace for only $5, but it was buy one get one free sale products, so the necklace was free. I also just read a blog post from a fellow blogger recommending the Smokey palette, so I figured I would try it out for only $5.95.

            Whoofta, that’s finally everything! I know this is a lot, and I know I didn’t need all of this. I am so blessed to be able to try all of these new things, and I am so glad to share it with you! Have you had any recent hauls? What are your favorites? Leave your comments below! I would love to hear feedback from you all! Thanks for putting up with this long post. And, again, I would like to thank you for reading my blog. This means the world to me, and I love you all so very much.

Thank you, and much love,

Maggie D. xx

Some of my Beauty Favorites

Hello loves,

I’m sorry that I have not posted a decent post in awhile! It’s been quite crazy here with work, and I really miss my beauty/fashion posts. While I have yet to try many new products this month, there are a few so far that I am loving from months previous. One is my bright blue nail polish. It is a Pure Ice brand nail polish in the shade French Kiss. It is quite outrageous, but it is different and unique. I love trying bold polishes—you’re only young once, right?

I’ve also been loving my EOS lip balm. It is perfect to keep my lips moisturized during the dry winter months. I use the Medicated Lip Balm in Tangerine, and it works really well. I would also like to add that it smells super good too. It’s an overall winter essential for me.

My favorite eye shadow palette, on a different note, is a more feminine, elegant one. It is inspired by Zoe’s Estee Lauder palette in Raisins that she used in her everyday make-up routine video (here's the link to her video). I loved her look, so I went to my local Walgreens and found a Loreal Colour Riche palette in Rose for Romance, which has very similar tones to what Zoe used. I normally use the top two purple shades, with the lighter color on the inner corners of my eye and the darker shade in the crease and outer corner of my eye. (I’ll post a picture soon, I promise!)

I love trying colored liner, and Clinique is a brand that I have used forever. I decided to try their quickliner for eyes intense in the shad 02 intense plum. These eyeliners are easy to swipe on before heading out, which is what I need to do when I’m in a hurry. You can make a thicker or thinner line, whichever your preference, allowing you to try many different looks with your one liner.

My final beauty fav is the Maybelline Color Whisper in the shade Berry Ready. I know I’ve shared my love for these products in earlier posts, but the Color Whispers are amazing. This is my favorite winter shade, since deeper berry shades are perfect for the chilly months.

            What beauty products are you loving? Leave your favorites and links in the comments below. I love seeing your favorites! Also, I know these are not all high-end products. I, as a poor college student, would love high end beauty products. However, I cannot afford them. I am a drug store beauty buyer & I’m proud of it! If you have any drug store buys that you swear by then leave them below. I love finding new products to try.

Much love,

Maggie D. xx